The iPhone is considered one of the best mobile devices of all time. If you're a new iPhone user or you've owned it for a while, chances are it has aged significantly. It's no secret that an iPhone and its components age as time goes by, and that includes the battery. But when exactly should you replace the battery or buy a brand new phone?
The first thing to consider is the overall battery performance. Over time, the 5s and the iPhone 6 will meet with different battery charges. When your iPhone reaches 60% or less power, it says that the battery is at 20% of its original capacity. This means that you should get a battery replacement or buy a new unit.
In general, knowing when to change your iPhone’s battery is challenging because you need to understand the battery itself. Read on below to learn more.
Checking Your iPhone Battery Health
First and foremost, you have to check up on your battery’s condition first. The quickest way to find out your iPhone’s battery health is by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. This feature has been available since iOS 11.3 after it was found out that Apple was secretly slowing down older iPhone units that caused unexpected shutdowns due to failing batteries, which the company was widely criticised for.
Battery health is the average of your battery capacity, compared to when it was new. This reading is a good indicator of how your iPhone is holding up. It may be lower than 100% because, as stated earlier, the battery may have aged naturally, and it's not just because you're using it.
If the battery health is below 80%, it's a warning sign—you either need a new battery, or you need to get a replacement.
Signs That a New Battery Is Needed
You will need a new battery for your iPhone if you experience any of the following:
- The battery can only last for a few hours, especially even if it’s fully charged.
- Unexpected shutdowns occur
- No warning messages are shown regarding peak performance
- The phone’s performance becomes sluggish (apps take longer to load, or the screen freezes sometimes while scrolling)
- Your phone becomes hot, even if you’re not using it.
Getting a Battery Replacement
If you're going for a battery replacement, just do it. However, it becomes a different story if your unit still has a one-year warranty in effect.
For iPhone 8 Plus and previous models, you could be in for a $49 repair bill if your phone is not under warranty or Apple Care+. For iPhone X models and newer models, it will be $69. If you have Apple Care+, you can send your phone back to Apple or take it to an Apple Store in person. Either way, the repair process will take a few days or sometimes freezes longer depending on how busy the store is.
Maximising Battery Life
If you get a battery replacement, it should give you at least two more years. However, it’s just as important to maximise the battery by taking care of it.
You must not let the battery level on your phone go below 50%. Conversely, you shouldn’t also wait to charge your phone once it reaches 0%. While it's easy to prevent your phone from running out of charge at home or in the office, it can be hard to find a place to charge when you’re outside. A power bank is the best solution because it's portable and can recharge your phone when you're away from home or work.
You should also keep your phone away from sunlight because the heat can damage the battery, drastically affecting its performance.
Conclusion
An iPhone is a high-maintenance device, and you’ll need to attend to its needs if you intend to keep using it. We have detailed what you must do if you’re experiencing battery-related issues, so you have to keep the necessary steps in mind.
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