Ever since Apple introduced the built-in battery health tool in 2018, it’s become a regular pit stop for iPhone users curious about their battery’s well-being. Since the iPhone uses a lithium-ion battery, it’s only expected that it will wear out and lead to a decrease in battery health over time.
So, you’re probably wondering: Is my iPhone’s current battery health good or bad? How much decrease in battery health is too much?
We’ve got you covered. Let’s dig into everything you need to know about iPhone battery health!
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How to See Your Battery Health
Want to see your iPhone’s average battery health? Head over to Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging (iOS 16.1 or later).
Here, you’ll see your phone’s maximum battery capacity, showing how your battery stacks up against its brand-new self.
What Makes Battery Health Worse?
Unfortunately, battery decline is a fact of life no matter how hard we try, but here are two key factors that can make matters worse:
- Number of charge cycles: Draining your battery to 0%, then charging it back to 100%.
- Extreme temperatures: Exposing your phone to very hot or very cold temperatures can also harm your battery.
What’s Good Battery Health?
According to Apple, an iPhone with a battery capacity of 80% or higher is in good standing. This means that the battery is still functioning “normally” and isn’t in need of replacement.
Mileage depends on how you use your phone, but with “normal” use, you can expect to maintain your iPhone’s battery at this capacity for around 2-3 years. However, this can still vary from user to user depending on your usage patterns.
Average iPhone Battery Health
Curious about how your iPhone’s battery fares over the years? Let’s break it down.
iPhone Battery Health After 1 Year
Apple’s pretty hush-hush on year-over-year battery degradation, but most users and experts report a 5-10% yearly drop.
That’s why most iPhone users report a battery health of around 90-95% after one year of use. However, if you use your phone pretty sparingly (minimal notifications especially), it’s not unusual to keep a battery health of 98-99%, or even 100%!
iPhone Battery Health After 2 Years
Factoring in the 5-10% yearly decline, you’re looking at 80-90% battery health after 2 years. If you’re a power user, expect less. Checking up on Settings → Screen Time can be a bit of a crystal ball in gauging how much you’ve been putting your battery to use.
A capacity under 80% isn’t great — and at that point, is recommended by Apple to get a replacement. If you’re still covered under AppleCare+, it might even be free.
Should I care about battery health?
While it’s important to take care of your iPhone’s battery to extend its lifespan, don’t lose sleep over it. Batteries age over time — there’s simply no avoiding it. The best thing you can do is accept the inevitable and make the most of your phone while you’ve got it!
What’s your iPhone’s current battery health? Any battery life tips you’ve got to share? Let us know in the comments below!
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