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Published on: 22.02.2024 | updated on: 02.04.2024
If you have been using your iPhone for some time now, you might have noticed its battery performance gradually drops compared to when bought new. This is nothing shocking as all batteries degrade over time, but the issue becomes more apparent when the battery health drops below 80%.
In that case, you either carry a power bank or look for a good-quality charging case. Either way, using an iPhone with severely degraded battery health is a nuance that can affect your device's functionality and experience.
Apple uses high-quality lithium-ion batteries in the iPhones, which are manufactured and tested to meet the company’s quality standards. Still, like all rechargeable batteries, iPhone batteries have a limited lifespan. With the passage of time, and depending on the usage patterns, the capacity and performance of iPhone batteries decline, which directly affects the device’s performance, requiring a replacement.
Yes, you can swap older, degraded iPhone batteries with newer batteries to extend the usable life of your iPhone significantly. However, it's not a simple process. Changing batteries on an iPhone requires technical skills to disassemble the device and perform the replacement process safely. Therefore, it is a process best left to the professionals.
Yes, it is worth replacing your iPhone’s old battery because it degrades over time. Luckily, the iPhone also displays how much the battery has degraded from its peak capacity, so you can replace it on time without affecting your user experience.
You may experience worse battery life and performance issues as the batteries degrade. Replacing an old iPhone battery may cost you some money, but ultimately, a fresh one allows you to use all of your iPhone's features without frustration, making replacement worthwhile.
Apple generally designs iPhone batteries to retain up to 80% of their original capacity after 500 complete charge cycles. So, while new iPhones can power through the day without issue, older iPhones may struggle to last through the day without being connected to the charger. Although how you use your device plays a huge role in determining how often you have to plug in your iPhone, the batteries also degrade naturally over time.
If your iPhone is more than a few years old, you may notice its battery time reducing with time. Following are some tell-tale signs showing your iPhone needs battery replacement to look out for:
As batteries age, they cannot hold as much of a charge. You may notice your iPhone's battery life diminishing faster than normal, even after a full charge. This indicates that the battery's capacity has degraded, and is time for a replacement. You may also notice a significant drop in the battery percentage, which can be checked by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. An iPhone's 80 percent or lower battery capacity hints towards an immediate battery replacement.
Lithium-ion batteries charge faster when healthy and new, so if your iPhone is taking much longer than usual to charge up, the battery has likely degraded. This can drastically affect your user experience by reducing the time duration of productive use. In such cases, an iPhone battery replacement is the best solution to deliver a longer battery time.
Severely degraded batteries may cause the iPhone to spontaneously shut off even with a 20, 30, or 40 percent charge displayed. These frustrating, unexpected shutdowns happen because the battery has lost peak capacity. Investing in a brand-new battery will typically resolve random shutdown problems in iPhones.
How you use and charge your iPhone can significantly impact battery performance over time. Developing good battery usage habits helps maintain an iPhone battery’s integrity and capacity. This includes using the battery-saver option, adjusting your iPhone’s screen brightness, and closing the background apps when not in use.
The battery usage pattern plays a major role in battery degradation over an iPhone’s lifespan. Engaging in these practices often leads to common battery issues like unexpected shutdowns, slow charging, and battery draining faster. Understanding these detrimental effects can help users avoid bad usage patterns, as listed below:
Exposing an iPhone to extreme temperatures regularly can chemically alter battery components and reduce the capacity to hold a charge.
Fully draining to 0% too frequently can affect the lithium-ion battery and lower the usable capacity with ongoing cycles.
Using aftermarket chargers that aren't certified by Apple might not meet the proper charging standards and damage your battery
Using apps that use a lot of power can cause your battery to wear down more quickly if used excessively.
Background app refresh, location services, and push notifications can use up battery power even when you're not actively using those apps.
Using your device while it is plugged in for extended periods of timeouts stresses the battery and can damage it over time.
Determining if your iPhone’s battery health has degraded to the point of replacement is, fortunately, very easy. You can simply assess your iPhone’s battery health by going to the Battery Health in the Settings option, which lets users view the current capacity relative to the original peak capacity. iOS also provides built-in analytics that shows users which applications are draining the most battery. Monitoring capacity metrics regularly allows you to make timely replacement decisions before facing more disruptions.
Professional assessment and diagnostic tools can offer invaluable insights into your battery's performance. Through these tools, you can identify potential issues before they escalate. These tools not only provide detailed battery health reports but also enable users to make informed decisions about battery replacement.
Using diagnostic apps can be a smart way to keep tabs on your device's battery life and overall health. Here are three recommended apps for monitoring and optimizing your iPhone's battery performance:
This app is designed to give you a quick and detailed view of your iPhone's battery health. It not only shows the current charge level but also provides insights into your battery's capacity relative to when it was new. This can help you understand how much your battery's performance has degraded over time and whether it might be time for a replacement.
Battery Life Doctor Pro offers a more comprehensive set of tools for managing your battery's health. It includes features for monitoring battery usage by app, suggesting ways to optimize your settings to extend battery life, and providing detailed statistics about your battery's condition. It's a more in-depth tool for those who want to actively manage and extend their device's battery life.
This app offers detailed insights into your iPhone's battery health by monitoring your iPhone’s runtimes and helping you decide when to go for a battery replacement. It also lets you check your phone’s battery health.
When diagnostics indicate your iPhone's battery is in poor health, it's best to turn to professional service providers for a replacement. Professionals offer expertise in handling battery replacements, ensuring your device is equipped with a high-quality battery and that the replacement process is conducted according to industry standards. Engaging with a reliable service provider guarantees that your iPhone remains in good hands, preserving its longevity and performance.
These experts can also provide advice on maintaining your new battery's health, helping you avoid common mistakes that lead to battery degradation.
Since iPhone battery replacements aren’t exactly cheap; many users often wonder if DIY is a better solution. Although it is surely a more cost-effective option, there are certain things you should know before taking apart the iPhone yourself and why a professional replacement might be a better idea.
While an iPhone’s battery may seem simple to replace by yourself, DIY poses risks that often outweigh cost savings. For starters, Apple uses strong adhesives and tightly packed components, making battery swaps challenging even for seasoned experts. Attempting to pry out and disconnect the iPhone battery nestled amongst other components without proper tools and skills can cause irreparable damage. Furthermore, there is also the risk of injury due to accidentally puncturing or tearing the new replacement battery.
Ultimately, lacking specialized tools and expertise means most DIY iPhone battery repairs cause harm rather than saving money. But, if you have technical knowledge and performed repairs before, it’s best to go through a DIY guide before replacing your iPhone’s battery.
While DIY risks damage or injury, professionals, on the other hand, can comfortably swap the batteries safely and reliably. Seeking expert help ensures your iPhone stays protected throughout the process. These skilled technicians have specialized tools to take apart and reconnect the components without damage. They also properly discharge and handle volatile batteries to avoid leaks. Perhaps most importantly, Apple Genius Bar and authorized service providers like Simply Fixable offer guaranteed high-quality repairs.
iPhone battery replacement costs can depend on various things, such as:
iPhone model: The model of your iPhone greatly impacts the cost of battery replacement. The battery replacement for older models such as iPhone 8 or 9 may cost less than the battery repair for iPhone 14 or the latest iPhone 15 series.
Severity of damage: The extent of damage can also influence the cost of battery replacement. If the battery is severely damaged, chances are it has also affected the surrounding components, needing an overall repair, which may cost a lot.
Warranty: If your iPhone is new and covered under warranty or AppleCare+, your cost of battery replacement may be reduced.
Repair service provider: If your iPhone is not covered under warranty or insurance, then you’ve to get the battery replaced by Apple’s official store, and it may cost you a lot. On the other hand, if you are tight on budget, getting your iPhone battery replaced by a local repair store seems like a better option.
The cost of iPhone battery replacement may vary according to the model and the repair service. On average, it costs $85.15 to get your iPhone battery replaced by Apple and $111.04 from a local repair store like Simply Fixable.
DIY iPhone battery replacement is a cost-effective option if you know how to work with the iPhone’s complex system. You may buy a tool kit or rent it from Apple for $49 and replace the battery of your iPhone in the comfort of your home at your convenience.
Here are some precautions you can take to prevent potential iPhone battery damage:
Keep your iPhone away from extremely hot or cold temperatures.
Use Apple-certified chargers and cables to ensure your iPhone is charged safely and efficiently.
Try not to let your iPhone's battery completely die before charging.
Always keep your iPhone updated to the latest version of iOS, as updates often include battery performance improvements and bug fixes.
Lowering your screen brightness or enabling auto-brightness can significantly reduce battery consumption.
Use Low Power Mode to extend your battery life when it's running low. This mode temporarily reduces background activity and automatic downloads.
Keep an eye on apps from the settings that use a lot of battery and try to limit their use or find alternatives.
Remove your iPhone from its case while charging to prevent overheating.
Yes, you can test your iPhone battery. iOS offers a built-in tool to check your battery health. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health to see your battery's maximum capacity and peak performance capability. There are also third-party apps available on the App Store that can provide more detailed diagnostics.
An iPhone battery is designed to retain up to 80% of its original capacity at 500 complete charge cycles under normal conditions, which typically amounts to about 2-3 years of use. This lifespan can vary based on how the device is used and charged over time.
The cost of an iPhone battery replacement varies depending on the model and whether you have AppleCare+ or not. Without AppleCare+, out-of-warranty battery service costs can range from $69 to $99 for most recent iPhone models.
While your iPhone can still function, you may notice reduced battery life and performance. Apple recommends replacing the battery once it drops below 80% health to maintain optimal performance.
Yes, 90% or above battery health after 1 year is considered good and normal for an iPhone. It indicates that the battery retains 90% of its original capacity after a year of use, which is within the expected wear range for lithium-ion batteries.
Although following recommended charging practices can help slow down battery degradation, still all batteries naturally degrade over time, and it is not possible to restore an iPhone battery's health back to 100%. The only way to return battery health to 100% is by replacing the battery with a new one.
As iPhones age, the battery starts degrading and losing performance. Replacing an aging iPhone battery can restore performance and extend the usable lifespan of your device. While new iPhones may last through a full day, degraded batteries in older models may struggle to keep up. Luckily, you can check your iPhone's Battery Health metrics in Settings to assess if a replacement is needed or not.
Since battery replacements are expensive, DIY is a great way to save costs but DIY battery swaps are risky to perform without skills or proper tools. Which is why it is a smarter choice to opt for a professional replacement. With proper care and precautions, you can keep your iPhone operating smoothly for as long as possible before considering a battery replacement.
Tech Writer | Photographer
LinkedIn: Madiha Khadim
Madi is a dynamic tech writer with a passion for simplifying complex concepts. Her expertise lies in creating clear and concise guides, blogs, manuals, and tutorials that empower users to navigate the technological landscape with ease. Throughout her career, Madi has worked with numerous leading tech companies, collaborating with engineers, developers, designers and marketers to create user manuals, FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and tech articles, on the websites such as "Technology Castle" and "Bilzimo". She can transform intricate technical jargon into user-friendly language, empowering users to understand and utilize products effectively.
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