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Explained: Why modern smartphones don’t have removable batteries and how does it affect consumers

Apple started the trend of offering non-removable batteries to phones with iPhones.Phone makers had no choice but to comply with the latest trends and make sacrifices as consumers wanted more sophisticated smartphones. It was normal for phones to have removable batteries up until early 2010 . Even laptop manufacturers gradually stopped making devices with removable batteries. Let us whether discuss removable batteries are good for consumers. Let’s start with the advantages of non-removable batteries that made them a necessity for modern smartphones.

Advantages of non-removable batteriesSafety of the batteries and consumersBatteries have a thin electrolyte that separates the cathode and anode electrodes which store the energy. The electrodes can generate a lot of heat by causing a short circuit if it comes into direct contact. Moreover, this can lead to more internal thermal reactions that could eventually lead the battery to explode or burst into flames. Battery technology has developed batteries a lot in the past years, yet they are inherently dangerous.

To prevent accidental damage removable batteries need a hard plastic case, especially when they are not connected to a phone. Plastic cases add to the weight and bulk of the smartphone. So, engineers thought of installing a permanent battery when consumers demanded slimmer, lighter designs They ensured that the smartphones should be able to protect the batteries as they are non-removable.Improvement in battery technology

Modern smartphones last longer on a single charge as they come with lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries. This development of battery material and capacity helps phones to last all day even after consumption of battery increases for better displays and more powerful chips.The increase in capacity also means that users don’t need to have a spare battery to swap out in the middle of the day. Moreover, there have been improvements made in charging speeds as most modern phones take less than an hour to get fully charged .Protection from wear and tear

Smartphones are getting more expensive every day as they are getting more sophisticated. So, consumers want these devices to last longer and have a lot of protection. Consumers want these devices to withstand regular wear and tear and protection against occasional spills and drops.So, smartphone makers have sealed the outer case to make their devices more durable. But, users lost access to replaceable batteries as they got sealed. Furthermore, it is tough to design a slim and light device with a removable outer case.

Providing tracking abilities to the devicePremium smartphones lure thieves as they are expensive and are easy to steal and resell. Not just the device, but users also lose some highly sensitive data including financial information. So, smartphone makers allow passive phone tracking even if the device is switched off. This feature allows users to track their devices which acts as a defense against smartphone thefts.

But, the tracking capability can be killed by removing the smartphone’s battery, which is its power source. It becomes impossible for thieves to remove the batteries without equipment and expertise if it is sealed inside your phone’s case. The non-removable battery helps you to track your phone if it is missing and even switched off.

Disadvantages of non-removable batteriesThe non-removable batteries come with a lot of advantages, yet users still lose out on some functions and features with them. Now let’s talk about some drawbacks of non-removable batteries.Swapping batteries vs Charging batteries

Charging outlets and power banks takes time to charge your devices, especially if they are older ones. You have to wait about 15 -30 minutes to get your phone fully charged, even if both your power bank and smartphone have the latest fast charging.
On the other hand, replacing an empty battery with a fully charged one will most likely take a minute. Moreover, slim spare batteries are way lighter than smaller mid-sized power banks. Power banks add more weight and use more space in your luggage.Possibility of batteries bloating up

Smartphone batteries can also bloat up and this problem still exists even after all the advancements in battery technology. In such cases, the battery’s safety is compromised and users have to replace it immediately.

Replacing the old bloated battery with a new one is an easier process for removable batteries. But, most modern users have to take their devices to an authorized service to replace it as they usually come with non-removable batteries. Whenever a non-removable battery bloats up, it forces the case to crack open and can damage your phone’s protection.

Gets tougher for third party shops to repair phonesNon-replaceable batteries give us sleek and modern devices but the design makes it harder for third-party repair shops to fix broken

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Get Ready for Extended Usage: iPhone 15 Rumored to Feature Massive Battery Boost

A new day, a new rumor about the iPhone 15A new day, a new rumor about the iPhone 15, which we expect Apple to unveil this upcoming fall. Devices whose design and several features have already been leaked, and now surprise us with an unexpected rumor that everyone is celebrating. models of the iPhone 15 will have much more battery life.

The iPhone with the highest battery life in their history

The origin of this information comes from a recent report by ITHome, which claims to have spoken with a supposed employee of Foxconn – the company responsible for the majority of smartPhone production. According to the report, the iPhone 15 lineup will feature significantly larger batteries in all its models. These excellent news could potentially turn into truly magnificent news, as we will see in the following paragraphs.

The report states that the iPhone 15 will feature an 18% larger battery, while the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro will have a 14% larger battery. The exact changes in capacity are described as follows:
The 2021 iPhone 13 had a capacity of 3,227mAh, which increased to 3,279mAh for the 2022 iPhone 14. The upcoming iPhone 15 is expected to have a capacity of 3,877mAh.Similarly, the iPhone 13 Mini had a capacity of 2,406mAh in 2021, but it was surpassed by the 2022 iPhone 14 Plus with 4,325mAh. The iPhone 15 Plus is anticipated to reach 4,912mAh.

In the Pro series, the 2021 iPhone 13 Pro had a capacity of 3,095mAh, which slightly increased to 3,200mAh in the 2022 iPhone 14 Pro. The iPhone 15 Pro is expected to feature a battery capacity of 3,650mAh.As for the Pro Max model, it went from a 4,352mAh battery in the 2021 iPhone 13 Pro Max to 4,323mAh in the 2022 iPhone 14 Pro Max.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is estimated to reach 4,852mAh.If these figures are accurate, the iPhone 15 Plus would have a larger battery capacity compared to the Pro Max model, while the 15 Pro would still have the smallest battery among the iPhone 15 lineup. While the iPhone 15 Pro has the same physical size as the iPhone 15, it includes an extra camera and more components. This is why we expect the new periscope camera to be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
In fact, as has been the norm, the largest battery is allocated to the Plus model, which, with less internal complexity, has maximum space for it. This space is expected to increase this year. It’s worth noting that with the iPhone 14, Apple eliminated the presence of the tray for a physical SIM card in the United States.


To tie all the pieces together, let’s recall that earlier this year, rumors suggested that iPhones sold in France could also follow the same path as their US counterparts, adopting a virtual SIM. While we don’t have specific data, it is highly plausible that the European version of the iPhone and other significant markets could make the switch to a virtual SIM, allowing for more battery capacity across the entire iPhone 15 range.


In addition to this, the improvement in efficiency of the A17 Bionic chips designed for these phones would result in a significant qualitative leap with TSMC’s optimized manufacturing processes.battery life. Of course, we will have to wait for Apple’s official presentation to confirm these details, but the numbers sound very promising indeed.

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How to interpret your iPhone’s battery health

The battery is one of the most important aspects of the iPhone and we always try to make it last as long as possible. Things like controlling the brightness or analyzing the applications we use can help it last longer.

An essential part of understanding how long our battery lasts is understanding battery health. We are going to show you where to find this information and how to interpret the data to make your iPhone battery last as long as possible.What is battery health?The battery of an iPhone is a physical and consumable element. Like a car battery, the iPhone battery wears out over time and with use. The iPhone helps us to know the state of the battery in order for us to make decisions.


How does an iPhone battery work?The iPhone battery is made of lithium-ion – currently the most advanced technology. With such batteries, it is not recommended to either keep them at 100%, or leave them at 0%, for a long time.


The iPhone and its battery have a certain number of charge cycles. A charge cycle is achieved by charging the battery to 100%. However, this does not have to be continuous, ie you can charge the iPhone 80% at work, and 20% more at home. Both charges will add up to a full charge cycle. In short, with lithium-ion batteries there is no need to continuously charge your iPhone to 100% every time. Simply charge it when you want and need to.


Analyzing Battery Health Data on your iPhoneAll batteries have a limited life. As time goes by, you are bound to notice changes in its performance due to the aging of the battery.Where can we find this data to know more about the state of our battery? 

You simply have to go to Settings>Battery>Battery health. Here you will find two sections:- Maximum capacity.-Peak performance capability.
The maximum capacity is followed by a percentage (95%, for example). This refers to the wear and tear it has undergone undergoing. It comes from the factory at 100% and, after two years, it may be around 80%. What does this mean? Well, if before it lasted ten hours watching videos; after two years, it would last eight hours.


If your battery health has degraded significantly, you will see that you can turn the Peak Performance Capability on or off. This means that your battery may at some point find itself without enough power for some processes. If you enable Peak Performance Capability, your iPhone will limit the speed of the processor so you don’t have unexpected shutdowns. This is similar to the contracted electricity you have at home. If you exceed what the differential can give, the power will go out.
How to take care of the battery health?


First of all, as explained above, we must remember that all batteries have a limited lifespan and inevitable wear and tear. Even so, you can take into account the following things so that the health of your iPhone’s battery will last as long as possible:- Avoid high temperatures: don’t charge your iPhone in direct sunlight, or while outdoors with an external battery in the summer, unless it’s really necessary.

– Don’t be afraid of charging it for short periods: It is better to make small charges than to take the battery to an extreme (0%) and charge it up to 100% every day.- Leave it to charge at night without worrying: The iPhone is smart enough to manage the battery charge at night. Leaving it charging all night is not going to influence the health of the battery.
When do I need to change my battery?
When the battery health is below 80%, battery replacement is recommended. Generally, this is about two years after you buy your iPhone, but it depends on your usage. There are many cases where 80% is reached after four years.

If you decide to change the battery of your iPhone, you are in luck, at K-tuin we provide official Apple technical services and you can change youriPhone battery with us. When you are ready, you can come to any of our stores, or even request a battery change online. Now that you know everything you need to know about the health of your iPhone’s battery, how is it doing?

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This rugged satellite-enabled Android phone looks nearly as sleek as an iPhone

I’ve handled a lot of rugged smartphones , and I’ve come to expect big, chunky, heavy, rubberized units that look like tanks and can take knocks and bumps and scrapes — and dunks in water. What I don’t expect is a smartphone that feels like an iPhone 14 Pro Max in the hand.

Also: What is a rugged phone and which are the best?

While companies such as Blackview and Ulefone have popularized rugged Android smartphones, the Cat S-series handsets — built by Bullitt — were some of the first that I remember. The brand positions themselves as a professional, industrial brand that is aimed at demanding industries such as construction, surveying, and security.
The Cat S75 is smaller and less chunky than other ruggedized smartphones I’m accustomed to testing.


A big difference between phones from the likes of Blackview and Ulefone, and the Cat S-series handsets is that the latter feels more like premium smartphones. In fact, the S75 looks and feels so much like my iPhone 14 Pro Max that I was reluctant at first to subject it to any harsh treatment.Also: iPhone went for a swim? Here’s how Siri can help eject water from its speakers
One of the first things I wanted to test was waterproofing, so I used it to take some underwater photos.
This worked great, although I did get warnings about water in the port, and these warnings were hard to bypass because the display was unresponsive when it was wet. There may be a way to disable these warnings, but I’ve not come across it yet.

While a lot of ruggedized smartphones use rubber bungs on the charging port, the Cat S75 doesn’t, with the only rubber cover being on the SIM slot.
SIM slot cover on the Cat S75SIM slot cover on the Cat S75Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETAlso: This tiny smartphone accessory gives you a fantastic superpower
To get that SIM tray out, I had to use a tool. It’s not something that you need to do that often, but if you do need to do it, you’ll need something to coax the SIM tray out.

I also tested the cameras on land, and the outputs are more than acceptable for an industrial handset. I took some shots with both the Cat S75 and my iPhone, and while I felt that the iPhone shots had more “pop”, the underlying quality felt very similar.  

Sample output from the rear camera on the Cat S75Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETOn the ruggedized front, the Cat S75 is tough. 
Very tough.

Also: The most breakable iPhones? How the iPhone 14 fared in drop tests


It feels a bit weird initially to be dropping and banging a handset that feels like my iPhone, and the shell itself feels very plasticky, but this handset took all the punishment I could dish at it, no problem. I keep my iPhone 14 Pro Max in a case, and this makes it bulkier in the hand and pocket than the Cat S75.
That’s weird!


Giving the Cat S75 a soaking after drop testingAdrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETAs far as other aspects of the Cat S75 go — the display, call quality, performance, battery life — this handset oozes a premium feel. Yes, this is a rugged handset, but it’s a no-compromise rugged handset.  


The Mediatek Dimensity D930 octa-core processor, backed up by 6GB of RAM, keeps the handset running smoothly no matter what is loading. Not once did I feel the handset get bogged down or have any performance issues.
It offers a smooth Android experience.


Also: The best Android phones you can buy (foldables included)
One aspect of the Cat S75 I’ve not yet tested is the satellite connectivity, but I hope to put this through its paces real soon, and use it to pull off tricks that your iPhone can’t do.


Overall, the Cat S75 is a very nice smartphone. It shows that a rugged handset doesn’t have to be a huge brick, and that it can look equally at home in an air-conditioned office or a muddy field. Even putting aside the satellite communication feature, it’s a very well-made handset, and one that has been engineered, rather than overbuilt, to be tough.

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iPhone Battery Health: What You Need to Know

An iPhone is only as useful as its battery life. From the very first iPhone, users have been swapping tips on how to optimize iPhone battery life and battery lifespan over time to get more performance from every charge. batteries from working together to make iPhones last longer, but eventually, it’s important to know when to have your iPhone battery replaced. If you need troubleshooting because your iPhone is slow or not charging at all read our article for those solutions first.


That’s why Apple introduced the iPhone Battery Health feature that has become a fixture in iOS device settings. Today, we’re walking through the Battery Health feature, how to get the best iPhone battery performance, and when to replace your iPhone battery. ‘re rather not improve your battery health, considering upgrading your device, you can also sell your iPhone to us.


What is iPhone Battery Health?

iPhone Battery Health is a feature added in iOS version 11.3, released in 2018. If your phone is not yet version 11.3 or higher, then it’s time to update your software. The Battery Health feature can be found in the Settings menu and will give you basic, useful information about the overall health and performance of your iPhone’s battery.
From the iPhone Battery Health dashboard, you can keep track of your phone’s battery to help optimize performance and identify the right time to get your iPhone battery replaced.


The three dashboard items in your Battery Health tool are Maximum Capacity, Peak Performance Capability, and a toggle to Optimize Battery Charging
Maximum CapacityMaximum capacity is the efficiency of your battery since your phone came out of the factory.
Optimal phone performance is between 100% and 80% maximum capacity.
Peak Performance CapabilityMost of the time, this will include a message saying your iPhone is capable of peak performance. Sometimes, if you experienced a recent crash, you may see a message saying your battery was “unable to deliver the necessary peak power.” means your phone has automatically turned on performance management, and the battery should be replaced soon.


Optimized battery chargingToggling this option will prevent your phone from charging over 80% in order to protect the battery and increase your overall battery lifespan. This option is ideal if your phone is charging most of the time, and if you want to charge up overnight, but may be turned off if you plan to travel and need 100% charge when you depart.


How to Check Your iPhone Battery Health

Settings > Battery Health.You can find your iPhone Battery Health dashboard by navigating to iPhone Settings. Then scroll down until you see Battery Health and select this option. This will show you some basic information and you can tap to investigate further or change your battery performance settings.


Is 75% Overall a Good Battery Health?

yes and noWhen looking at your Battery Health page, the most obvious factor is the Maximum Capacity percentage. 100% is factory-fresh, and iPhones can run extremely well with batteries as low as 80% performance in Maximum Capacity.
If your iPhone’s battery health has slipped to 75% or below, it will still perform well. However, you can expect further degradation and may see lower numbers and worse performance in the near future.
Battery Health Percentage to Replace iPhone Battery, According to AppleAt what Battery Health percentage should you replace your iPhone battery? You will start noticing a significant drop in performance between 75% and 60%.
If your iPhone battery health percentage drops below 80% within the duration of your warranty – usually about one year – then Apple will replace the battery.
How Long an iPhone Battery Can LastA new, 100%-80% capacity iPhone battery can hold a charge for 8-20 hours, depending on how it’s used. Sitting off in your pocket, it can last all day. Playing games and movies, it will last about a third of the day without a power source.


It usually takes about two years before you start to see any significant drop in iPhone battery performance. require an early iPhone battery replacement. If you feel that no battery will prove the health of your device, you can also sell your device to us.
Tips to Extend iPhone Battery Life & Lifespan

How do you maximize the performance if an iPhone battery?
Avoid full charge or full drainDon’t charge overnightUse a dimmer screenSwitch off location servicesTurn on Optimized Battery ChargingUse an original or approved Apple chargerClose apps and unused featuresAvoid extreme temperaturesUse the right phone case

Keep your software updatedReplace the battery on timeFor more information checkout our other article: Maximizing Your iPhone’s Battery Settings

Does AppleCare+ Cover Battery Replacement?

If you still have AppleCare+ at the time your iPhone battery drops below 80% maximum capacity, then yes. Your battery replacement can and probably should be included in AppleCare+ warranty coverage.
If your iPhone is out of warranty, you will need to ship it to the nearest repair location and or visit an Apple store, the repair will cost $89. You may also be charged for any additional repairs made, or required to have the phone repaired other than the battery before sending it in.

How Can I Change my iPhone Battery?

If you are confident with phone repairs and have an iPhone repair kit (tiny screwdrivers, frame separate, etc) then you can DIY aniPhone battery replacement. However, this is not recommended for inexperienced technicians. iPhones are delicate and just opening the case can put your components at risk. Especially if your iPhone battery is swollen!
You will need to delicately remove tiny screws, pry open the case, gently lift the securing tabs, use tweezers to extract the pull tabs, and finally lift out the battery. Replacing it requires an equally delicate reinstallation.

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Bad iPhone battery after installing iOS 16? Don’t panic! Do this instead

iOS 16 has been out a few days and people are complaining about iPhone battery problems after installing the update.


These problems fall into three categories:
Rapid battery drop during the iOS 16 install processPoor battery life after installing iOS 16A noticeable drop in ” Battery Health” following the installation of iOS 16Let’s look at these separately.


Also: Problems downloading iOS 16? Here’s how to fix it fast
Is a big drop in battery life while installing iOS 16 normal?

Yes. This is perfectly normal.
A lot must happen when updating the whole operating system, from downloading and verifying the update, making sure there’s enough space for the update, carrying out the update, clean up after the update, and then housekeeping tasks such as updating search indexes in the hours following an update.
This all takes battery power, much more than you’d expect from regular day-to-day use, and it’s perfectly normal to see the battery plummet by many percentage points.
I’ve seen some precipitous drops in battery life happen over the course of a few minutes while updating, which is why I recommend having the iPhone on charge during this process.


Is poor battery life after installing iOS 16 normal?This is also so common that I consider it normal.
First, those housekeeping processes that happen after installing an update can take days to complete. One of those housekeeping tasks in battery recalibration, and this can give the temporary impression that the battery is draining more rapidly when in fact it isn’t.


My advice is to use the iPhone for a few days normally and chances are all the problems will solve themselves. Also, update your apps regularly (the problem could be a buggy app).


Also, when Apple inevitably releases the iOS 16.0.1 update, install this, because it’s likely to contain a bunch of fixes, and if there is an issue with battery drain, it might sort that out.Is a big drop in “Battery Health” normal, too?“Battery Health” is that number you can find by tapping Settings > Battery > Battery Health. The figure is quoted as Maximum Capacity, and I’ve written quite a bit about this over the years.
My advice is simple: Stop worrying about it.


“Battery Health” is a feel-good number that doesn’t really tell you anything meaningful about the actual health of your battery. My iPhone tells me that my battery is still at 94% capacity after almost a year of heavy use.
I guarantee you this number is wrong.


But it doesn’t matter. Your iPhone battery should be good for three years at least. After this, you probably need to think about getting it swapped out.
Also: Your iPhone battery is lying to you in weird ways
The bottom lineI’ve been updating iPhones for well over a decade, and if there’s one thing that I can guarantee that will happen when a new version of iOS is released, it’s that a lot of people will complain about battery life.
And remember, there are now over a billion iPhones in use. Even if only a small percentage of people notice deteriorated battery life, that’s going to amount to a lot of complaining.


And just to be clear, these people are not imagining that battery life has taken a nosedive.
It really is worse.
But for most of those users, it’s a problem that will have sorted itself out in a week or so (or until Apple releases a patch or there’s an update to a buggy app).
Just sit back, keep using your iPhone, and keep a charger or power bank nearby for regular top-ups.


And for a small group of really unlucky users, their iPhone’s battery will have waited until the new iOS update to decide to give up the ghost finally.
For those people, the only solution is a new battery (or a new iPhone).

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iPhone 14 Pro battery draining? Turning off ‘always-on’ display won’t help. Here’s what will

Everyone wants their iPhone’s battery to last longer, even if they’ve just bought a new iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max.


Apple claims that the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max get “up to” 20 and 25 hours of video stream, respectively, but even that’s not enough for some new owners.The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max features an always-on display, and it seems that people believe that this puts a significant dent in battery life. That, or they’ve been reading one of the many “battery saving tips” posts on the internet that highlight this new feature as a big battery drain.


Well, is it?Also: Apple’s worst product has now become one of its best
There’s only one way to find out, and that’s to do some real-world testing.
There are a few different ways to do real-world testing, but here I decided to make things simple.
For this test I put theiPhoneinto Airplane Mode and then left it with the display on (and doing nothing) for a couple of hours, made a note of the drop in battery level, and then repeated the test with the display off.


It’s quick and simple, and if there was going to be any significant improvement in battery life, it would show up in a couple of hours.
Bottom line, the always-on display makes little difference.
Just to be sure, I repeated the experiment, but this time I ran it for four hours, and again, the difference was negligible.

Also: How to take great macro photos with the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max


The always-on display is clearly a feature that’s been optimized for the OLED ProMotion display, and turning it off buys you very little extra battery life.
That said, if you put your iPhone into Low Power Mode (tap on Settings > Battery and toggle Low Power Mode), the always-on display is one of the features disabled.
So, if you’re trying to get more battery life (maybe you’re running out, or need to get through an especially long day), turning off the display is not going to help you.
What should you do?


Here are a couple of suggestions that will get you hours of extra battery life:
Turn on Low Power Mode: You do lose some features, but this dramatically will extend your battery lifeCarry a power bank: I suggest something small like the Anker 622 MagneticBatterywhich uses MagSafe so you don’t need to carry a separate charging cable. 

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Does the iPhone Have a Battery Aging Problem?

As another round of new iPhones nears, it’s time to take a closer look at how Apple’s batteries have withstood the test of time.As happens nearly every year, September seems poised to bring about Apple’s latest batch of iPhones.The expansion of the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max’s “Dynamic Island” cutout seems like a near lock for the entire iPhone 15 line, as does the long-anticipated switch from Lightning to USB-C for wired charging. 


When trying to figure out if Apple’s latest and greatest is worth the upgrade, an easy check is to see if you need a new battery. As we learned not too long ago, Apple will slow down the performance of iPhones with weaker battery health in order to preserve battery life. The 2017 “batterygate” scandal led to the company paying a $113 million settlement back in 2020 after an investigation was launched by 34 states and Washington, DC. 


This month, a different $500 million settlement from a class action lawsuit stemming from the same issue was cleared by a judge. 
Assuming you don’t pay for the AppleCare Plus insurance program, replacing a battery on most recent iPhones dating back to 2017’s iPhone X, will run $89 from Apple (not including tax or shipping if you’re sending your phone in). 


Those who pay for AppleCare Plus, which ranges from $149 for two years of coverage on a third-generation iPhone SE all the way up to $269 for two years of coverage on an iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max, can get a battery replacement from Apple for no cost if their battery’s maximum capacity falls below 80%. 
Given the myriad of trade-in deals offered by Apple and wireless carriers, it may make sense to roll that money into what you’d spend on a new phone. Others, however, may be happy just replacing the battery and holding on for another year or two. Even if you don’t plan to upgrade this cycle, it is interesting to see how well recent iPhone batteries have lasted.

What is ‘battery health’ and a ‘maximum capacity’?

iphone batteryOpening up and looking at the battery of an iPhone 6.Andrew Lanxon/CNETLithium-ion batteries, like the ones found in most modern electronics, are finite resources that naturally degrade over time. As Apple describes on its website, these batteries work on what is known as “charge cycles” with one “cycle” taking place when you’ve discharged “an amount that equals 100% of your battery’s capacity.” 
This doesn’t mean going from 100% to empty either. As Apple notes, “you might use 75% of your battery’s capacity one day, then recharge it fully overnight. If you use 25% the next day, you will have discharged a total of 100%, and the two days will add up to one charge cycle.”


As you use up cycles by using your phone, the amount it has diminishes. On a different support page, Apple says that the iPhone is designed to hold “up to 80% of its original capacity at 500 complete charge cycles when operating under normal conditions .” 
While iOS doesn’t show how many charge cycles you’ve used, its “Maximum Capacity” section gives a peak into this metric.
Apple directed CNET to its various battery support pages when contacted for comment. 


How you can check your battery health

iOS setting to check your iPhone battery’s healthCheck what it says under Peak Performance Capability to learn if you need to replace your battery.Screenshots by Nelson Aguilar/CNETApple gives steps for checking your battery health, and on most iPhones it can be done by going into Settings, then Battery and finally, Battery Health (or Battery Health & Charging). A “Maximum Capacity” section shows how much of your battery’s original capacity remains relative to when it was new. 


If your battery is still operating normally, you’ll see that it has “peak performance capability” with small text underneath confirming that it’s “normal.” 
If you’ve had a battery-related unexpected shutdown, you still may see peak performance but also a note that says Apple is using “performance management” to avoid future shutdowns. 


If your battery isn’t healthy, you may see a message alerting you that a replacement is needed if you want to get back to full performance or battery life. If your phone is otherwise fine for your needs, that $89 upgrade could be enough to get you back to running at full strength for a few more years. 


What we learned: Your mileage will varyiphone-13-versus-iphone-12-notch-comparison-mini-and-13-left-to-right-cnet-2021-01iPhone battery life varies, though those with an iPhone 12 seemed to be fairing best. Patrick Holland/CNETWhile by no means a scientific test, I polled 20 CNET staffers on Aug. 2 about their iPhones, looking at which model they used, when they purchased it and what its battery health was. 
Nine CNET staffers were rocking the iPhone 12 line (either an iPhone 12, 12 Pro or 12 Pro Max ), with most having purchased their  phones at least 30 months ago. Battery max capacity across the line was surprisingly consistent: Even the oldest devices still were displaying a maximum battery capacity of at least 85%.

Two staffers were using iPhone 13 Pros, and their experiences couldn’t be more different. CNET computer expert Lori Grunin has had her iPhone for nearly 20 months and her battery’s maximum capacity was an impressive 95%. Commerce editor Russell Holly was not as lucky , with his iPhone 13 Pro showing just 73% max capacity nearly two years after purchasing it. 


Results were similarly mixed for the nine CNET users who have upgraded their devices to the iPhone 14 line. Some, like CNET’s iPhone reviewer Patrick Holland, still have 100% max capacity on his iPhone 14 Pro Max nearly 11 months later. My own iPhone 14 Pro Max, meanwhile, shows a battery max capacity of 88% over roughly the same period. 


I don’t seem to be alone, either, as Wall Street Journal reporter Joanna Stern tweeted out on Aug. 11 that her iPhone 14 Pro battery was at a similar level. Comments to the tweet showed some other iPhone 14 users getting similar results. 

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My DIY iPhone Battery Replacement Was Easy. Here’s What I Did.

You can swap your iPhone’s old battery for a new one yourself.
Even if you don’t use Apple’s own do-it-yourself repair program, you can still replace your iPhone’s battery yourself. With third-party components and various tools available to buy, you can crack open your iPhone and replace your battery, or your screen, often for less money than having a company do it for you. 
This story is part of Focal Point iPhone 2023, CNET’s collection of news, tips and advice around Apple’s most popular product.

I did exactly that, replacing the old battery of a used iPhone 6 to give it a new lease on life. I was pleased to find the phone on eBay for only £75 (about $100 or AU$140). That’s a huge saving over a new iPhone 14 Pro, but the battery had aged to the point where the software had to artificially throttle the performance to stop it from shutting down. Instead of casting off the phone and getting buyer’s remorse, I decided to buy a replacement battery and tools from iFixit and have a go at replacing the battery myself.
It took a little over an hour, but I was able to safely swap out the battery and get the iPhone 6 running perfectly again. I’m not giving step-by-step instructions here — head to iFixit and grab a kit if that’s what you’re after — but I do want to describe my experience, including how easy the process was, and hopefully answer some of the questions you may have if you also need a new battery.


If you have a more recent model (an iPhone 12 or newer), then make sure to first check Apple’s new repair options and see if you’d be able to put in a replacement with parts directly from the company. Note that any maintenance you do on your own devices is entirely at your own risk.
1. Why would you need to replace an iPhone battery?

Batteries age over time, and considering that the iPhone 6 was released over seven years ago, it’s no surprise that the one I bought wasn’t running in prime condition. One time, the phone unexpectedly restarted while in use, and it flashed a warning that read, “This iPhone has experienced an unexpected shutdown because the battery was unable to deliver the necessary peak power. Performance management has been applied to help prevent this from happening again.” Even the phone itself knew it had a bum battery.


In short, a phone’s performance can be throttled if it can no longer cope with power demands. There is the option to turn throttling off, but this will result in more frequent crashes. Neither situation is ideal, so a battery replacement seemed like a smart way forward for me, since it wasn’t my main phone and I was willing to take the risks. iphone-battery-replace-5Opening up my iPhone 6.2.How much does a replacement iPhone battery cost?The problem with my situation specifically was that I bought the phone for so little in the first place that spending more money on a battery replacement service negated some of those initial savings.

Apple’s official replacement service costs £49 ($49), which is more than half what I paid for the iPhone 6 I bought. As I was in the middle of a coronavirus lockdown when I attempted this, I wasn’t able to get to an Apple store to take it in, and sending it in through the mail would bring the total cost to around £56 (about $75 or AU$105).
iFixit, however, sells a DIY replacement pack for £35 (including postage to my home in Scotland). It costs $30 in the US, and with shipping costs that comes to about $38. It’s not a huge saving over Apple’s official replacement, but every little bit helps.

 3. What comes in the iFixit battery fix kit?

iFixit’s kit comes with a third-party replacement battery that is not from Apple, since Apple does not sell its parts separately for phones older than the iPhone 12. It also has all the tools needed to open the phone and remove the old battery. only additional thing I needed was a hair dryer to heat up and remove the glue.

4. Does replacing a battery void your phone warranty? 

Opening up an iPhone will void the warranty, but if your battery is old enough to need replacing, odds are you’re already out of the 12-month warranty period. 
iphone-battery-replace-2Prying the old battery out was tricky, and I wasn’t always sure I was doing it safely.


5.Is it safe to replace your iPhone battery yourself? 

This one isn’t so straightforward to answer. iFixit’s guide gives very detailed instructions on the steps involved, but there were a couple of points that made me nervous. One step involved heating up the back of the phone with a hair dryer in order to loosen the glue holding the old battery in place. 
Specifically, it said to heat it to “slightly too warm to touch,” which I found a little vague. Especially since that section also warned that “overheating the

 iPhone may ignite the battery.” would I see if it was overheating? I couldn’t find this information, and as such wasn’t sure how close to overheating it I might be.


Shortly after, while trying to pry out the old battery, I accidentally ripped into what looked like the black wrapping around that battery. I was pretty sure that the battery itself wasn’t punctured — there was no smoke or hissing — but I ‘d have felt a lot more comfortable if I had “emergency” instructions on hand about what to do if the battery did ignite. 


6. Can I replace my iPhone battery myself?

Up to a point I found I could, yes, and I’m not normally “handy” in a DIY sense. iFixit’s instructions were easy to follow, and there were only seven internal screws to remove, which were easy to replace. 

The iPhone 6, old battery removed and all traces of the glue cleaned off.
What I found a little confusing was that iFixit’s instructions on its web page end at the point where you remove the old battery. The only instruction in the conclusion was to follow the previous steps in reverse order. Admittedly, that wasn’t particularly difficult to do, but I would have appreciated more guidance at that point. 


Another issue I ran into was that, during the removal of the screen, I cracked the screen protector that was in place. I noticed the hairline cracks and was worried that I’d damaged the display itself, but thankfully that was unharmed.
iphone-battery-replace-7With its new battery, this iPhone 6 should be running at optimal level again.
7.Is it worth replacing an iPhone battery?

It really depends on the age and value of your phone. If, like me, you bought a cheap used iPhone and just want to get it back up to speed, then it could be a great way to breathe new life into old tech without spending a fortune. Bear in mind, though, that this wasn’t going to be my main phone, nor did I buy it with my own money. For me, the risk was low and had I done it wrong and ruined the phone, it You’ll need to consider whether you really can manage without it, and your tolerance for other risks.


If you’re using a more recent device, like an iPhone 13, for example, I’d just take it directly to Apple. damaging a more valuable phone.

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How to care for your laptop’s battery and extend its life

Taking proper care of your laptop’s battery is important for ensuring your mobile machine can run as long as possible. Although battery technology has evolved in the background, outdating “best practices” from a few years ago, there are still a number of ways you can extend (or reduce) your laptop battery’s health. We’ve rounded up the top tips for how to care for your laptop’s battery, from how long you should leave it plugged in to how low you should let the battery drain.

Save cycles, save your batteryKeeping your battery in zoneIt’s getting hot in here, so hide your batteries Leave it plugged in (but not all the time)Download software to get battery health reportsUnlike many desktop computers, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to laptops.Every machine is a little different, so finding out as much as you can about your laptop and its battery is important.Our tips apply to lithium -ion ​​batteries, which are, by far, the most widely used batteries in modern laptops.

Save cycles, save your battery
All laptop batteries are built to handle a certain number of charge cycles, usually somewhere around 500 full cycles — and sometimes even more. Essentially, a charge cycle equals one full discharge down to 0% and then a recharge back up to 100%. discharge down to 50% and then back to 100% would equal half a cycle. Over time, each charge cycle decreases a battery’s capacity from its design specifications, meaning that the fewer times you drain it, the longer the battery lasts — all other things being equal.So, where do you start? You can begin by visiting the power settings corner of your laptop and learning how your battery works and what battery settings to enable. Also, pay attention to hibernation modes. Ideally, you want your laptop to enter into hibernation before the battery is totally drained — as well as during downtime when you won’t be using the laptop for a while.


To save even more power, take a tour of your apps and quit any that are running in the background and steadily eating into your battery life. On Windows 10, for example, we suggest you search for and enable the Battery Saver. automatically turn on when your laptop reaches around 20% battery life (more down below on why this is particularly important).This will automatically block background apps, keep your features like Calendar from syncing or pushing notifications, lower screen brightness, and other various changes that will conserve your battery so you can get to an outlet ASAP.
For MacBooks, look into enabling Power Nap so you can put your Mac to sleep without worrying about it skipping important tasks, allowing you to save more battery life. Enabling automatic graphics switching can also help Macs save energy by switching to a lower graphics mode when engaged in simple tasks (like text-based work where graphics aren’t as important).


There are plenty of manual changes you can make here, too. You can safely shut down things like cloud storage and messaging applications that may be running in the background. You can also manually reduce the amount of power you’re using by shutting off Wi -Fi and Bluetooth when you’re not using them, turning off optional features such as keyboard backlighting, and generally reducing the number of components burning power. Both Microsoft and Apple have guides explaining the process further.


Keeping your battery in zone
In ancient, less enlightened times, there was a problem called “battery memory” that caused nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries to “forget” their full charge capacity and start charging at lower and lower levels. longer thanks to modern lithium-ion batteries, but it has led to a lot of poor advice and arguments about battery care based on outdated information.
Contrary to some recommendations, you don’t need to routinely discharge a lithium-ion battery completely and then recharge it to somehow reboot or calibrate it — this is a destructive practice that’s very hard on your battery. perform a complete discharge a couple of times a year remains an unanswered question. Generally, the consensus seems to be that letting your battery discharge (without bottoming it out — aim for around 20%) and then charging it when possible is the best practice.
Next, there was a time when users were advised to refrain from keeping their devices plugged in, based on the idea that letting a battery charge to 100% could wear the battery out more quickly. Today, however, modern devices are designed to stop charging at 100%, so keeping them plugged in doesn’t impact the battery’s lifespan, according to Battery University.


As with many battery-related questions, the issue of keeping your laptop plugged in when it’s reached full capacity is hotly debated, so there’s nothing wrong with turning your machine off and unplugging it if you feel more comfortable doiBut generally speaking, the best thing you can do for your lithium-ion battery is to avoid letting it discharge below 20%. Plug it in and charge it when you can, and then rinse and repeat. with modern batteries and systems, there’s really not much else you need to do — outside of anticipating that your battery will eventually start losing its overall capacity.
Finally, if you’re going to store your laptop for an extended time without using it, then discharge or charge it to 50% before putting it away.


It’s getting hot in here, so hide your batteries
When a laptop battery gets too hot, the electrochemical reactions inside speed up — but that doesn’t mean that the battery grows more efficient. This creates even more heat, compounding the problem. Not only can this eventually damage the inside of the battery permanently, but it also wears the battery out with a bunch of chemical reactions that aren’t necessary but burn through a battery’s lifespan anyway.
Today’s lithium-ion batteries are durable, but they can only take so much heat.For example, if you are charging your battery and it starts to get overly warm, perhaps because the CPU or graphics processor is working hard or the environment is overly hot , then shut the device down and pop the battery out if possible. Give it a break so that it can cool down, or you can move it to someplace with a lower temperature. Many modern laptops have sealed batteries, in which case shutting the machine down and letting it cool is highly recommended if maximizing the battery’s lifespan is your concern.


Likewise, keep the laptop off of your lap. If discomfort isn’t a good enough reason, with many machines, you’re also making the problem worse by blocking vents. You’ll want to make sure that both vents that pull in cool air and those that expel hot air are able to do their jobs.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you should avoid placing your laptop anywhere it might become hot. a lot of damage to a battery in a short period of time, though you may not realize it immediately.
Cold temperatures usually aren’t a problem down to a certain point, and storing a battery in a cool place is recommended, but don’t leave your laptop in freezing temperatures. Too much cold can also kill the battery permanently or reduce its lifespan.


If you want to watch temperature even more closely (say, you live in a particularly hot climate), then there are a number of apps you can run that will monitor laptop heat. This includes CoreTemp and Real Temp for Windows, which you can download for free.
Leave it plugged in (but not all the time)
It’s safe to leave most modern laptops plugged in. In fact, most high-powered gaming laptops work best when plugged in. The most important aspect of battery health is the discharge cycle. No matter how cautious you are, your battery will degrade over time as you discharge and recharge it. Whenever you’re running an intensive application — such as a game — you can run it while your laptop is plugged in to reduce the number of discharge cycles on your battery.


You shouldn’t leave your laptop in this state all the time, though, just when you’d drain the battery very quickly. As mentioned, it’s better to store your battery at 40% to 50% capacity than it is to store it at 100% capacity if you don’t plan on using it for a bit. Degradation is faster on fully charged, unattended batteries, especially at high temperatures.
So, if you’re not moving around and running an intensive application, it’s a good idea to leave your laptop plugged for the duration of that time. If you’re handling day-to-day tasks that don’t consume as much power as quickly — like browsing the internet — you can rely on the battery alone.


Download software to get battery health reports
It can be tough to know at a glance just how your battery is doing. Devices like iPhones come with native battery maintenance settings and alerts that provide at least some information, but these diagnostics are harder to find on laptops unless you install them yourself. are a couple of battery-monitoring app options for you to consider.
BatteryCare: This extra-lightweight app — designed for Windows computers — provides notifications, CPU/storage temperature readings, discharge cycle monitoring, and lots of handy information all in one place.


Battery Monitor: Made for MacOS, this app shows battery charge in a friendly interface with info on battery health and cycles, alerts, battery temperature readings, and current total capacity.

If you don’t want to download any dedicated apps, you still have options available. For example, you can open up PowerShell on your Windows computer and run the command “p