Recognizing iPhone Battery Problems: Signs That Indicate a Battery Replacement Might Be Necessary - Identifying iPhone Battery Issues: Signs Indicating a Battery Replacement May Be Necessary
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On the Fritz: How to Recognize if Your iPhone's Battery is Growing Stale
Written by Malte M.Approx Reading Time: 3 mins
From messaging pals, snapping pics, web surfing, and of course, social media escapades - we put smartphones through the wringer, often for hours on end every day. While newer devices handle this barrage without flinching, older ones may start to lose steam. For those who fondly cling to their iPhone 8 or iPhone XS, Apple's battery replacement service could be your knight in shining armor. Let's dive into when and how to capitalize on this lifesaver.
Gotta Replace That Battery?
Boosting your device's endurance is the obvious advantage of a battery swap-out: Your phone won't draw the plug as often and won't require a power bank to keep going. For certain older models, a battery upgrade might also revive snappier performance since Apple throttles older iPhones to manage battery life when the battery degrades. Swapping in a spry new battery can restore your device's speedy performance.
But, you've got to verify the current state of your battery to make an informed decision. To do that, navigate to your device's settings, click on "Battery" and then explore the ensuing options. If you spot "Service" next to "Battery Health," it's high time to replace your battery. Tapping on "Battery Health" will provide the nitty-gritty.
Focus on the maximum capacity percentage. Apple lets you know just how much juice your battery can still hold – compared to its original capacity. If it's over 80%, your battery's doing just fine, and you won't experience throttling. Under 80%, and Apple recommends a battery replacement, as your iPhone won't deliver peak performance levels.
Another tidbit to mull over is the number of charge cycles. Apple's batteries are expected to keep their performance for at least 500 cycles. For iPhone 15 and newer models, the goal is to maintain 80% capacity even after 1,000 cycles[6]. If your iPhone's battery is faltering despite fewer cycles, it could be a defect[7].
Let's Talk Money, Money, Money
If your battery does indeed need an upgrade, get in touch with Apple. They offer both in-store and third-party repair options, or you can mail your device in. If your device is still under warranty or Apple Care+ coverage, the battery swap is gratis, provided the battery health is below 80%. Elsewhere, the cost ranges from €99 to €135, contingent on the model. You can grab a personalized quote here. Keep in mind that Apple may decline repairs if your device sports additional damage[5].
Of course, you could opt for a third-party battery replacement. The catch? Non-original components could be in play, potentially canceling out the cost benefits[8].
Keeping Your Battery Alive and Kicking
Smartphones – yep, including iPhones – are pretty adept at preserving their batteries thanks to clever tricks. For instance, smart charging is a game-changer. Since charging to 100% can put strain on the battery and potentially do long-term damage, smart charging learns your charging patterns and halts the charging process at 80% – then tops up the remaining percentage just before your usual unplugging time. Implemented by default on iPhones and many Android devices, you can find this under battery settings.
For more charging tips tailored to Apple devices, pique your interest here.
- iPhone
- Smartphone
- Apple
- Battery
- Money
- Social Media
- iPhone 8
- Third-Party Repair
- For iPhone 8 users, Apple's battery replacement service could provide a significant benefit, not just by extending the phone's battery life but also potentially boosting its performance.
- One might consider opting for a third-party battery replacement to save money, but it's important to note that non-original components might impact the device's overall effectiveness.
- To keep your smartphone's battery healthy, consider enabling smart charging, a feature that optimizes charging cycles to prevent long-term damage and prolong battery life, a common feature on iPhones and many Android devices.
