Next to the display, the iPhone battery is the most frequently replaced component. When you should think about replacing the battery and from what percentage of remaining capacity it is worthwhile, we tell you in this practical tip.
Replacing the iPhone battery: From what percentage capacity loss is it worthwhile?
A small percentage of capacity is lost with each charging cycle. If the iPhone is charged from 0 to 100 per cent, that counts as one charge cycle. If you charge from 40 to 90 per cent, it is half a charging cycle.
- When it’s worth replacing depends entirely on your needs. As long as the battery life has not been halved, most users accept the loss of battery capacity. If you want full endurance, it can make sense to replace the battery when it has lost 20 percent of its capacity.
- Apple promises that every iPhone still has 80 per cent of its battery capacity after 400 to 500 charging cycles. However, because batteries always wear out differently, an iPhone battery can lose more capacity much sooner in some cases.
Read charge cycles from the iPhone: How to do it
With the free software iBackupBot for iTunes you can read out the charging cycles of your iPhone. To do this, select your iPhone at the bottom left of the software and click on “More Information”.
- Next to “CycleCount” you will find the number of charging cycles so far. Below that you will find the original capacity of the battery in mAh and then the current capacity in mAh.
- Depending on the iPhone generation, capacities of about 1500 to 3000 mAh are common. Our test iPhone originally had a capacity of 1500 mAh, now only 1200 mAh after about 650 charging cycles. So only 20 per cent of capacity has been lost.
Replacing the iPhone battery: Do it yourself or have it done?
If you want or need to change the battery, you can also do the work yourself. A new and high-quality battery will usually cost you between 20 and 30 euros.
- You will also need the appropriate mobile phone tool. You also pay around 10 to 15 euros for this. If you don’t have two completely left-handed hands, you can do the replacement yourself.
- The process takes around 30 minutes for non-professionals. In the following practical tips you will find instructions for the iPhone 5, iPhone 6 and iPhone 7.
