Does an iPhone battery health of 80% mean the battery has to be replaced?

Question

Weirdo · Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. 80% is Apple's design benchmark: batteries in iPhone 14 models and earlier are designed to keep 80% of their capacity after 500 complete charge cycles, and iPhone 15 after 1000. The real signs it's time are a “significantly degraded” message, unexpected shutdowns, or needing to charge more and more often.

Under Settings > Battery > Battery Health, Maximum Capacity shows how much charge the battery can hold compared with when it was new. Apple says that under ideal conditions, batteries in iPhone 14 models and earlier are designed to retain 80% of original capacity at 500 complete charge cycles, and iPhone 15 models at 1000, with the exact figure depending on how you use and charge the phone. A complete cycle means using an amount equal to 100% of the battery, not one plug-in. Those two Apple pages only list up to iPhone 15, so check Apple's latest page for newer models.

Apple says a “significantly degraded” message appears when battery health has dropped a lot, and recommends an Apple Authorized Service Provider replace it. But that message doesn't indicate a safety issue and you can keep using the battery; you may just notice battery and performance problems more. An aged battery can also deliver peak power less well, and after an unexpected shutdown the system may limit some performance. Apple's service page is blunt: if you need to charge more and more frequently, it might be time to service it.

Apple says the one-year warranty covers service for a defective battery; outside warranty, Apple offers paid battery service with prices and terms that vary, so check Apple's Taiwan site or an authorized provider for the actual price. To slow aging, Apple recommends avoiding prolonged heat (ambient temperatures above 35°C can permanently damage capacity), taking the case off if the phone gets hot while charging, and leaving it at about 50% for long-term storage.

Does an iPhone battery health of 80% mean the battery has to be replaced?

What “80%” means

When it's really time to replace it

Warranty, cost, and slowing the aging