How to determine the battery life of an iPhone and when to replace the battery
Apple iPhones don’t have particularly long battery life because their battery capacities are relatively small. Most iPhone models have a battery capacity of less than 3000 milliamp-hours (mAh), and it’s not until the iPhone 13 Pro Max that we see a battery capacity of over 4000 mAh.
Apple Battery Lifespan
- Generally speaking, the battery life of an iPhone starts to decline after it has been charged more than 500 cycles, which is approximately 14-18 months of typical iPhone usage. At this point, the battery capacity may drop to around 80%, and it’s worth considering a battery replacement. Additionally, Apple has a policy that if the battery efficiency falls below 80% within the warranty period, the battery replacement is completely free of charge.
- Performance issues may arise as the battery ages. For example, the iPhone may become slower in operation, and app response times may be longer. If you notice a significant decrease in performance during normal use, it could be due to battery-related issues.
- For moderate smartphone users, replacing the battery every 2-3 years is generally recommended. For light smartphone users, a battery replacement may be needed every 3-4 years.
- Many iPhone users complain about the short standby time of their devices. However, it’s a trade-off. If the battery capacity is increased, it may affect the appearance and add weight to the phone. Many users still prioritize a sleek and stylish design for their phones.
Three types of battery capacity specifications:
Design Capacity: What is design capacity? Design capacity is a percentage value based on the actual capacity. For example, the design capacity of the charging battery for iPhone X is 2716mAh, and the actual capacity of a new charging battery is approximately 2770mAh. Calculating it as a percentage, 2770 ÷ 2716 ≈ 1.02, which means the actual capacity is about 102% of the design capacity. After the iOS 11 system software, you can check the battery health on your phone, and the battery health display is based on the actual capacity divided by the design capacity, resulting in the health percentage that you see.
Calibration Capacity: What is calibration capacity? In fact, this can be explained quite easily. The calibration capacity for iPhone X is 2716mAh, and you can find this value on the lower left side of the battery or just below the black sticker in the curved area on the back of the battery. Calibration capacity is just a primary parameter on the device and does not have any practical effect.
Actual Capacity Size: The specific capacity size directly affects the usage time of applications on your phone.
Here are the battery capacities of various iPhone models:
iphone model | battery capacity | Wh |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | 4323mAh | 16.68 |
| iPhone 14 Pro | 3200mAh | 12.38 |
| iPhone 14 Plus | 4325mAh | 16.68 |
| iPhone 14 | 3279mAh | 12.68 |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | 4352mAh | 16.75 |
| iPhone 13 Pro | 3095mAh | 11.97 |
| iPhone 13 | 3227mAh | 12.41 |
| iPhone 13 mini | 2406mAh | 9.57 |
| iPhone SE 3 | 2018mAh | 7.82 |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | 3687mAh | 14.13 |
| iPhone 12 Pro | 2815mAh | 10.78 |
| iPhone 12 | 2815mAh | 10.78 |
| iPhone 12 mini | 2227mAh | 8.57 |
| iPhone SE 2 | 1821mAh | 6.96 |
| iPhone 11 Pro Max | 3969mAh | 15.04 |
| iPhone 11 Pro | 3046mAh | 11.67 |
| iPhone 11 | 3110mAh | 11.91 |
| iPhone XR | 2942mAh | 11.24 |
| iPhone XS Max | 3174mAh | 12.08 |
| iPhone XS | 2658mAh | 10.13 |
| iPhone X | 2716mAh | 10.35 |
| iPhone 8 Plus | 2691mAh | 10.28 |
| iPhone 8 | 1821mAh | 6.96 |
| iPhone 7 Plus | 2900mAh | 11.10 |
| iPhone 7 | 1960mAh | 7.45 |
| iPhone SE | 1624mAh | 6.21 |
| iPhone 6S Plus | 2750mAh | 10.45 |
| iPhone 6S | 1715mAh | 6.55 |
| iPhone 6 Plus | 2915mAh | 11.1 |
| iPhone 6 | 1810mAh | 6.91 |
| iPhone 5S | 1560mAh | 5.92 |
| iPhone 5C | 1510mAh | 5.73 |
| iPhone 5 | 1440mAh | 5.45 |
| iPhone 4S | 1432mAh | 5.3 |
| iPhone 4 | 1420mAh | 5.25 |
| iPhone 3GS | 1219mAh | 4.51 |
| iPhone 3G | 1150mAh | 4.12 |
| iPhone 2G | 1400mAh | 5.18 |
Several ways to check your phone’s battery capacity
The best method: Starting from iOS 11.3, all iPhone models have battery health monitoring. You can check the remaining capacity of your battery there. If the battery degradation is minimal, the iPhone’s System-on-Chip (SoC) will operate at peak performance. It’s important to regularly maintain your phone’s battery. However, if significant battery degradation is detected, with remaining capacity below 80%, you will be prompted to consider repair. The iOS also provides a performance management feature where you can choose between full-speed operation, which may result in unexpected shutdowns, or reduced performance to ensure stability. Users have the freedom to choose between stability and high efficiency.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to accessing the battery health information on your iPhone:
- Locate the Settings icon on your home screen and tap on it.
- In the Settings menu, find and tap on “Battery”.
- In the Battery menu, locate and tap on “Battery Health”.
- The “Maximum Capacity” indicates the health of your battery, representing its current capacity.
(Click to see the demo legend)
If the iOS system detects that your iPhone battery is depleting too quickly, you may see a “Battery Health Recommendations” message in the Battery settings. These recommendations are specific to your device’s current iOS settings, so they may vary. As an example, if the suggestion is to “Reduce Brightness”, you can go to Settings > Battery, tap on “Reduce Brightness”, and adjust the brightness slider to lower the screen brightness.
other methods
1. Retail Store Inspection:
If there is an Apple retail store in your area, you can visit there for battery inspection. If an Apple retail store is not available, you can search for other Apple authorized service providers in your local area and go there for the inspection. However, if you don’t intend to get your battery repaired, there’s no need to go for the inspection. You can use the testing methods mentioned below, but please note that official testing is considered the most reliable.
2.Third-Party Apps:
You can choose to use third-party apps for battery checking. Here are two recommended apps: Battery Life and AIDA64. These apps may have ads and in-app purchases, but they don’t affect the functionality, and the displayed battery percentage data is quite intuitive. Different apps may provide slightly different capacity values, so it’s for your reference to get a general idea.
If you prefer checking the data on your computer, you can use the free version of iMazing. Connect your device to your Mac or Windows computer using a wireless network or a data cable. Scroll down after clicking the device details button on the left, and you’ll find battery-related information. You can also access battery diagnostic information through iMazing Mini in the top menu bar.
3.Internal Settings on Your Phone:
The battery capacity data is actually hidden in the iOS settings, but we usually don’t check it in detail.
You can find the data by going to “Settings – Privacy – Analytics – Analytics Data” and looking for the log-aggregated-xxxx-xx-xx-xxxxxx.ips log file. In this log file, there is a section about the battery capacity of your device: com.apple.snapshot.battery.maxCapacity. It is recommended to share the log file to your computer and use a text editor to search for the key field. Once you locate the relevant line, you will see a value below it, for example, 1600, indicating the remaining capacity of your battery in milliampere-hours (mAh). By dividing this value by the design capacity of your device, you can calculate the remaining capacity percentage or the health of your battery. For example, if the actual battery capacity is 1600 mAh and the design capacity of an iPhone 7 is 1950 mAh, you can calculate the percentage as 82%, indicating that it is not within the criteria for battery replacement mentioned earlier.
How to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit original batteries for Apple iPhones:
Appearance: Genuine iPhone batteries are well-crafted, with a smooth and sturdy surface, providing a comfortable feel. Counterfeit batteries, on the other hand, often have an inferior appearance, with irregular protrusions or indentations on the surface.
Compatibility with the phone: Genuine batteries are specifically designed for iPhone models and have precise manufacturing, making them easy to install. They fit seamlessly into the phone. Counterfeit batteries, due to their lack of precision in manufacturing, may not align properly when installed, leading to installation issues.
Label printing: Genuine batteries have labels and barcodes printed using advanced printing techniques, which can result in slight color variations. The text on genuine battery labels is clear and sharp, while counterfeit batteries may have blurry or unclear text.
Battery casing: Genuine batteries have tightly sealed front and back casings, making them difficult to open. Counterfeit batteries, in order to cut costs, may have weaker adhesion between the front and back casings, making them easier to open.
It’s important to note that these are general guidelines, and it may be challenging to determine the authenticity of a battery solely based on these factors. If you have concerns about the authenticity of your iPhone battery, it’s recommended to consult authorized service providers or Apple support for further assistance.