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Here’s what Apple doesn’t want you to know about your iPhone’s battery

Apple is very selective about what information it wants you to have access to. Here’s how to get an “access all areas” pass for everything you want to know about youriPhone’s battery.


It’s rather intriguing how we can obsess over little things. I’ve lost count over how many conversations I’ve had with people over things like the signal strength bar or battery life meter on their smartphone. reading full, 100%, or indicating perfection, we start to feel uncomfortable.
Also: iPhone went for a swim? Here’s how Siri can help eject water from its speakers
And if there’s one thing that iPhone users obsess over more than anything, it’s their battery. 


What Apple wants you to see (and why it’s confusing)Apple gives you access to very specific information about your battery. You can see this yourself by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. 
This screen gives you a very basic overview of your iPhone’s battery health, including one figure that people seem to obsess over more than anything — the Maximum Capacity meter.
Apple describes this number as “a measure of battery capacity relative to when it was new,” and goes on to say how “lower capacity may result in fewer hours of usage between charges.”


Also: Battery bad after installing iOS 16.5? Try these 7 tipsSounds like a bland, rather innocuous thing, doesn’t it?
Oh, but people do get fixed on it.
In part, this is down to the mysteriousness around what it actually means, and the way it can sit at 100% for months before starting to decrease — sometimes plunging precipitously fast. 
Below, I have two screenshots I took this month, showing a battery drop of three percentage points:
Battery’s maximum capacity readingIn three weeks, iOS 16 says my battery’s maximum capacity fell three percentage points, from 95 to 92%.Screenshot by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETThen there are the endless blog posts, social media missives, and YouTube videos spreading the urban myth that if you “charge your iPhone the right way,” you can keep this at 100% forever.
Also: iPhone overheating? Here are 8 potential causes and their solutions

You can’t.
The reason you can’t keep this at 100% is down to the laws of physics.  
Why lithium-ion batteries wearEvery time you charge and discharge a lithium-ion battery, it experiences a small amount of wear. According to Apple, “a normal battery is designed to retain up to 80% of its original capacity at 500 complete charge cycles when operating under normal conditions This means that for every 25 charge and recharge cycles, the Maximum Capacity number should drop a percentage point.  
But iPhones can seemingly be stuck at 100% for months in the beginning, and this is part of the problem with this figure and why it causes confusion. This is because the battery inside your iPhone has a higher actual capacity than Apple claims. Apple underpromises on the capacity because new batteries have a natural variation in capacity, and Apple would prefer that your battery has slightly more capacity — not less — than what’s in the spec sheet.


Also: My iPhone’s battery doesn’t stay at 100% for as long as it used to.
Once the actual capacity wears down to the capacity that Apple states in the spec sheet, that Maximum Capacity number starts to tick down.
But your iPhone collects a lot more information about your battery.
A lot more.

To find this hidden information you have to go to Settings > Privacy & Security, then scroll to the bottom and tap on Analytics & Improvements.
Next, you need to click on Analytics Data. This setting only exists if you have Share iPhone Analytics (or Share iPhone & Watch Analytics) enabled. If it’s not enabled, you’ll need to enable it and wait a day or so for the iPhone to collect the data.
Yes, the information is only logged if you choose to share it with Apple.
Also: iPhone envy? Here are 3 iOS 17 features already available on Android
If Analytics Data is enabled, then tap on it, and you’ll be presented with what looks like a wall of files.


The Analytics Data screenDon’t panic.
You need to scroll until you find a file starting with the name Analytics-. There’s likely to be a bunch of them with dates in the name.
The latest one will be at the bottom of the list. Tap on it to open it and it’ll be full of information.
A ton of it.Also: Which MagSafe battery pack is the best? 
First, if you also own an iPad or Apple Watch as well as an iPhone, you need to know you’re looking at the right file. At the top look for “os_version”:iPhone OS. up the list of files until you find one relating to your iPhone. 

And going through this data on the iPhone itself is a pain (although can be done if you’re patient and do a copy and paste into an app like Notes). What I do is tap the Share button and email the file to myself so I can open it at my leisure on a Mac or PC (you could always AirDrop it yourself).

First off, if you look for last_value_CycleCount, that will tell you how many recharge cycles your battery has been through. Earlier I mentioned that as far as Apple is concerned, your battery should retain 80% of its capacity after 500 recharge cycles, so having access to this figure gives you an idea of ​​how worn your battery is.
This is probably the most important figure that Apple doesn’t tell you.
My iPhone 14 Pro Max is less than a year old and has gone through 216 recharge cycles. 
Also: iPhone Pro vs iPhone 14 Pro Max? Which new iPhone should you buy? 
That’s a lot, and accounts for why the Maximum Capacity figure is 92%. See, the math works out — it’s almost halfway through the 500 recharge cycles, and almost halfway to being 80% worn.


But there’s more we can get from this file.
Another metric is last_value_MaximumFCC, which refers to the maximum capacity of your battery when new as measured in mAH (milliAmp Hour). Apple prints a rated capacity on its batteries, but this is a theoretical number and the actual capacity will vary because of manufacturing tolerances .
The figure that you get from the log file will be the maximum capacity of your battery as measured by the iPhone.

The last_value_MaximumFCC will almost always be a little bigger than the battery’s rated capacity. This accounts for why the Maximum Capacity figure doesn’t start ticking down on day one.
Also: The Apple products you shouldn’t buy this month
Another figure you can get out of the logs is last_value_NominalChargeCapacity, which gives you the current capacity of your iPhone’s battery.
The difference between these two numbers indicates how worn the battery really is.

So, while you can’t do anything to prevent battery wear, you can reduce premature battery wear by keeping the battery within its rated temperature zone, and not overcharging it.


The iOS feature, called Optimized Battery Charging, does a good job of preventing premature battery wear from overcharging.
Also: 5 useful iOS 17 features Apple quietly released at WWDC 2023
But note that I said, “premature battery wear.”
It doesn’t do anything for regular batterywear.

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The best Samsung phones you can buy (including the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 5)

Shopping for a new Galaxy handset? These are the best phones from Samsung, including foldables, ones with styli, and options for the budget-minded.
You can always look to Samsung when shopping for a phone of any price, size, and feature set. For the indecisive, that may not be the best thing, as finding the ideal Galaxy phone is not as simple as walking into a brick-and -mortar and asking for the “Pro” and “non-Pro” models.


Also: Best Android phones you can buy right now (including flipping foldables)
Instead, finding the best Samsung phone for you boils down to your personal needs, use cases, and design preferences. Trust me, you’ll have plenty of options laid out below, and not every one of them will be the right fit for you . 
To make the shopping process easy, we’ve personally tested most, if not all, the latest Galaxy phones that Samsung has to offer, and assembled a catalog of the top options for your choosing, including the more recent Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold series, the value-driven A-series, and our top pick right now, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The best Samsung phones in 2023Samsung Galaxy S23 UltraBest Samsung phone overall
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy | Display: 6.8 inches | RAM/Storage Options: 12GB RAM with 256GB/512GB/1TB | Rear cameras: 200MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 10x optical, 10MP 3x optical | Battery: 5,000mAh


In the grand calculus of the Samsung multiverse, the Galaxy S23 Ultra reigns supreme. It’s arguably the most no-frills smartphone that you can buy on the market, let alone from Samsung, which puts it at the top spot on our list.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra comes with a large 6.8-inch AMOLED display, a beefy 5,000mAh battery that can last you as long as two days, a customized Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor to keep things running efficiently, and the sacred Samsung S Pen — ideal for jotting down notes, graphics designing, or even signing PDFs.
I tested the Galaxy S23 Ultra earlier this year and called it “one of the most complete handsets you can buy this year — whether you like and need the excessive amount of features or not.”
Being the latest and greatest also means that the S23 Ultra comes equipped with Samsung’s newest advancements in camera technology, including a 200-megapixel main lens that’s capable of capturing the highest-resolution images we’ve seen on any Galaxy phone.There’s also 8K video recording at 30 frames per second if you’re into that.
All this is to say that the Galaxy S23 Ultra is our pick for the best Samsung phone overall.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5Best samsung foldable phone
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Main display: 7.6 inches | Cover display: 6.2 inches | RAM/Storage: 12GB RAM with 256GB/512GB/1TB internal options | Cameras: 12MP ultrawide, 50MP wide angle, 10MP 3x telephoto, 10MP cover screen, 4MP under main display | Battery: 4,400mAh 
The 2020 Galaxy Z Fold 2 set the bar for foldable devices that also serve as mini tablets. The Z Fold 3 improved on that phone with two of the most highly requested features from Fold users (S Pen support and IPX8 water resistance), while the Z Fold 4 improved the rear cameras and form factor of the phone. 


And now, with the Z Fold 5, you’ll get an upgraded processor in the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which should improve the phone’s overall performance, from battery efficiency to camera capture. This year’s model is also notably thinner than the last, and thanks to the no-gap hinge mechanism, ZDNET’s Jason Hiner said in his review that “the Fold 5 feels like the way foldables always should have been.”
The Android 13 software found in the Z Fold 5 gives the phone some serious productivity upgrades, especially in terms of multi-app usage thanks to the improved Taskbar and wider support for gesture navigations that ease the transition from multiple active windows.


Like the Z Fold 4, the Fold 5’s cameras are not quite as good as the S23 Ultra’s suite, but the hardware is clearly superior to any foldable predecessor, and the competition.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Main display: 6.7 inches | Cover display: 3.4 inches | RAM/Storage: 8GB RAM with 256GB/512GB internal options | Cameras: Two rear 12MP, 10MP selfie | Battery: 3,700mAh 
While the Z Fold 5 is the best Samsung foldable, it’s the new Z Flip 5 that will likely sell the most and appeal to the masses. Not only is the clamshell handset less expensive than the Z Fold, but it’s more compact and portable and has a more user-friendly learning curve.
Shape-shifting displays aside, the Z Flip 5 is very similar to the standard Samsung Galaxy S-series flagship, with a large 6.7-inch AMOLED panel that’s crisp and bright, up to 512GB of RAM for those high-resolution pictures and videos, and a healthy 3,700mAh cell  powering it all.


I tested the flip phone for weeks and was left impressed by how many refinements Samsung had made when compared to the last-gen Z Flip. Thanks to the new 3.4-inch outer display, the gapless hinge design, and improved durability, I noted in my full review that “unless Samsung unveils some form of XR headset later this year, the Z Flip 5 is without question the company’s most ambitious product of 2023.”
Folks who thrive in social media and content creation especially will love the Z Flip 5’s ability to switch between shooting styles like camcorder mode and flex mode, much like its predecessor, the Z Flip 4. The camera system on this is not on the level of Samsung’s Ultra and Plus phones, but it’s reliable enough for everyday captures.

You can always look to Samsung when shopping for a phone of any price, size, and feature set. For the indecisive, that may not be the best thing, as finding the ideal Galaxy phone is not as simple as walking into a brick-and -mortar and asking for the “Pro” and “non-Pro” models.


Also: Best Android phones you can buy right now (including flipping foldables)
Instead, finding the best Samsung phone for you boils down to your personal needs, use cases, and design preferences. Trust me, you’ll have plenty of options laid out below, and not every one of them will be the right fit for you . 
To make the shopping process easy, we’ve personally tested most, if not all, the latest Galaxy phones that Samsung has to offer, and assembled a catalog of the top options for your choosing, including the more recent Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold series, the value-driven A-series, and our top pick right now, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra


The best Samsung phones in 2023Samsung Galaxy S23 UltraBest Samsung phone overallSamsung Galaxy S23 Ultra with the S Pen beside it.June Wan/ZDNETpros & consprosMost complete smartphone experience money can buyReliable quad-camera setup256GB base storage leads the competitionIntegrated S Pen stylus for enhanced functionalityconsPhone can be unwieldy for some, especially with a caseFast charging is still capped at 45WPricier than most Android phonesmore details

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy | Display: 6.8 inches | RAM/Storage Options: 12GB RAM with 256GB/512GB/1TB | Rear cameras: 200MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 10x optical, 10MP 3x optical | Battery: 5,000mAh
In the grand calculus of the Samsung multiverse, the Galaxy S23 Ultra reigns supreme. It’s arguably the most no-frills smartphone that you can buy on the market, let alone from Samsung, which puts it at the top spot on our list.


The Galaxy S23 Ultra comes with a large 6.8-inch AMOLED display, a beefy 5,000mAh battery that can last you as long as two days, a customized Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor to keep things running efficiently, and the sacred Samsung S Pen — ideal for jotting down notes, graphics designing, or even signing PDFs.
I tested the Galaxy S23 Ultra earlier this year and called it “one of the most complete handsets you can buy this year — whether you like and need the excessive amount of features or not.”
Being the latest and greatest also means that the S23 Ultra comes equipped with Samsung’s newest advancements in camera technology, including a 200-megapixel main lens that’s capable of capturing the highest-resolution images we’ve seen on any Galaxy phone.There’s also 8K video recording at 30 frames per second if you’re into that.All this is to say that the Galaxy S23 Ultra is our pick for the best Samsung phone overall.


Review: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
See price at SamsungSee price at AmazonSee price at Best BuySamsung Galaxy Z Fold 5best samsung foldable phonefold-5-open-with-zdnetJason Hiner/ZDNETpros & consprosAn innovative gapless folding designArmor Aluminum material for a lighter and sleeker phoneHigh IPX8 water resistanceS Pen supportImproved processor and software optimized for foldablesconsStill expensive, but generous trade-in offers awayS Pen purchase and store separatelymore detailsSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Main display: 7.6 inches | Cover display: 6.2 inches | RAM/Storage: 12GB RAM with 256GB/512GB/1TB internal options | Cameras: 12MP ultrawide, 50MP wide angle, 10MP 3x telephoto, 10MP cover screen, 4MP under main display | Battery: 4,400mAh 


The 2020 Galaxy Z Fold 2 set the bar for foldable devices that also serve as mini tablets. The Z Fold 3 improved on that phone with two of the most highly requested features from Fold users (S Pen support and IPX8 water resistance), while the Z Fold 4 improved the rear cameras and form factor of the phone. 
And now, with the Z Fold 5, you’ll get an upgraded processor in the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which should improve the phone’s overall performance, from battery efficiency to camera capture. This year’s model is also notably thinner than the last, and thanks

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Your iPhone battery is lying to you in weird ways

People seem obsessed with the health of their iPhone’s battery.

You can see this information yourself by going to Settings > Battery, and there’s more information if you click on Battery Health.
But I’m here to tell you that this number is junk. It’s 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 98% capacity after months of use.
Battery Health in iOS

But your iPhone knows the truth. The iOS operating system collects a lot of information about your battery and the overall health of your system.
But, as usual, Apple doesn’t make it easy for you to access this information and has chosen to bury this information deep in the bowels of iOS.
To find this information, you have to go to Settings > Privacy, then scroll to the bottom and tap on Analytics & Improvements.


Then you need to click on Analytics Data. This setting only exists if you have Share iPhone Analytics (or Share iPhone & Watch Analytics) enabled. If it’s not enabled, you’ll need to enable it and wait a day or so for the iPhone to collect the data.
Yes, the information is only logged if you choose to share it with Apple.
If Analytics Data is enabled, then tap on it, and you’ll be presented with what looks like a wall of files.

You need to scroll until you find a file starting with the name log-aggregated. There’s likely to be a bunch of them with dates in the name.
see alsoHow to record a phone call on an iPhoneHow to clear the cache on your iPhone (and why you should)How to take a scrolling screenshot on Android and iPhoneHow to add your transit card to Apple WalletThe latest one will be at the bottom of the list. Oh, but if you have an Apple Watch paired with the iPhone, then there will be a similar file for that too. To tell the difference, tap on it to open up the file , scroll to the top and look for it to mention iPhone OS and not Watch OS.


And going through this data on the iPhone itself is a pain (although it can be done if you’re patient and do a copy and paste into an app like Notes).
What I do is I tap the Share button and email the file to myself so I can open it at my leisure on a Mac or PC (you could always AirDrop it to yourself).
The file contains a lot of information, so once you have it open in a text editor, you can start looking for specific information.
Here I’m looking for four specific entries:
<key>com.apple.ioreport.BatteryCycleCount</key>

These will be scattered about the file, for I suggest doing a search for BatteryCycleCount, design_capacity, nominal_charge_capacity, and raw_max_capacity.
Beneath these entries will be a number inside integer tags.

So, what do these numbers mean?
BatteryCycleCount is the number of recharge cycles the battery has gone through.design_capacity is the rated capacity that Apple claims the battery to be, measured in mAh (milliamp hours).nominal_charge_capacity is the battery capacity as it currently stands, measured in mAh (milliamp hours).MaximumFCC was the maximum capacity of the current battery (almost always, this is the first charge capacity),

measured in mAh (milliamp hours).Notice the discrepancy between the battery’s rated capacity (design_capacity) and its actual capacity when new (MaximumFCC).
That’s a difference of almost 200mAh.
Apple prints a rated capacity on its batteries, but this is a theoretical number, and the actual capacity will vary because of manufacturing variations.
But all the batteries that Apple fits into iPhones will have a capacity no smaller than the rated capacity, and in truth, every one I’ve come across has a larger capacity.
That’s why that Battery Health number stays at 100% for so long and doesn’t start to lose tick down from day one.


And it’s why that Battery Health number is meaningless.
There’s no way that after 264 recharge cycles, my battery has only lost 2% of its capacity. 
According to Apple, the battery is rated to hold 80% of its capacity after 500 complete charge cycles.
This means that my iPhone is more than 50% through that 500 charge cycles.But is there anything you do anything to reduce battery wear?


The bottom line is that your battery will wear, but you can take steps to reduce on premature wear.
As part of normal wearing, your battery will lose about one percentage point for every 25 cycles (note that you might not start noticing this immediately because the actual capacity or MaximumFCC of the battery is greater than the rated capacity). and apart from using your iPhone less, there’s not much you can do about it.
So my battery has lost about 10% of its capacity. 
You can’t change the laws of physics.
However, you can reduce premature battery wear by keeping the battery within its rated temperature zone and not overcharging it.


The iOS feature called Optimized Battery Charging does a good job of preventing premature battery wear from overcharging.
But note that all you are doing is reducing on premature battery wear.
It doesn’t do anything for regular battery wear. Your battery will wear out, so enjoy it while it works, and either plan on getting it replaced or replacing your iPhone.
And stop obsessing over that Battery Health number!

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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

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iPhone 16 superguide: Everything we know about the 2024 iPhones

The iPhone 15 lineup isn’t expected to be officially unveiled until September, but that hasn’t stopped those with connections in supply chains and within Apple from gleaning a few details about the iPhone 16.


Naturally, any rumors or leaks you see this early are going to be fluid at best–even if they are accurate now, plans can and do change and there’s still plenty of time to do so before the iPhone 16 enters production.
With all that said, here’s what the most prolific leakers and tipsters say we can expect about the iPhones coming in the fall of 2024.
iPhone 16 release dateThe iPhone lineup is always announced at an event in September and usually ships a week or two later. There have been times when a particular model or variant will ship in October because of supply chain shortages, however.


The typical day for the iPhone and Apple Watch event is the second Tuesday in September, which this year is September 12. So we can expect the iPhone 16 line to be announced on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, with preorders starting likely on Friday, September 13, and at least some models shipping on September 20.
iPhone 16 priceFor reference, the most recent iPhone lineup (iPhone 14) is priced as follows:


iPhone 14: $799/£849iPhone 14 Plus: $899/£949iPhone 14 Pro: $999/£1,099iPhone 14 Pro Max: $1,099/£1,199There are some rumors that the iPhone 15 Pro Max (which may be called iPhone 15 Ultra) is going to cost more than the current top-end iPhone, and some say this price hike will extend to the smaller iPhone 15 Pro as well. that happens, we assume the pricing for the iPhone 16 will also be higher.
There’s no new information about the pricing of the iPhone 16 line, so it makes the most sense to assume it will cost the same as the iPhone 15 line, at least until we hear otherwise. That means the standard size iPhone 16 for $799 and the larger Plus model for $899, while the iPhone 16 Pro may cost $1,099 and the iPhone 16 Pro Max might go for $1,199.

A hand holding an iPhone 14 Pro Maxagainst a PS5 controller.The iPhone 16 may have a smaller Dynamic Island.

iPhone 16 designThere are few details about the iPhone 16 lineup so far, except that it should look, well, like an iPhone. The entire iPhone 15 line is expected to have the Dynamic Island, so expect that pill-shaped cutout on the iPhone 16 models as well. Some rumors say Apple has found a way to put some of the Face ID sensors under the display, so the iPhone 16 Pro models could have an even smaller camera cutout than the standard models.


Ming-Chi Kuo and Ross Young both report that the display size on the Pro models will be getting bigger–about 0.2 inches measured diagonally–with a slightly taller aspect ratio. That means the iPhone 16 Pro will have a 6.27-inch display and the Pro Max a 6.86-inch display (up from 6.12 and 6.69 inches). The larger size is reportedly necessary to accommodate more sophisticated camera hardware but will also add a bit of screen real estate.
Speaking of the camera, you should also expect to see a larger camera array on the iPhone 16 Pro models due to the inclusion of a periscope super-zoom telephoto lens and other new camera tech.


The iPhone 15 Pro models were said to introduce new solid-state buttons, but more recent rumors suggest they simply won’t be ready in time and will appear on the iPhone 16 Pro instead. Regardless, all iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to feature an Action button in place of the mute switch, which should expand to the entire iPhone 16 lineup in 2024.

iPhone 14 Pro cameraThe iPhone 16 could have an even bigger camera array.
Thai Nguyen/UnsplashiPhone 16 specs and featuresWith each new iPhone comes a new A-series processor, and you can bet the trend will continue next year. The iPhone 16 Pro will therefore likely feature the A18 processor, while the non-Pro iPhone 16 models will use the A17 (debuting this fall in the iPhone 15 Pro). It is far too early to speculate about next year’s chip’s features and performance.


A report on 9to5Mac infers from part of an unrelated supplier report by Ming-Chi Kuo that Apple will be using Sony’s new stacked CMOS image sensor technology in the iPhone 16 Pro models next year, which should mean sensors with greatly increased low-light sensitivity.


Apple has been hard at work on its own wireless chips for years, and even Qualcomm’s CEO expects Apple to use its own 5G modems starting in 2024. Obviously, this is contingent on continued successful development and testing, which has been a challenge for Apple and every other company trying to make top-tier 5G technology.
In addition, you can expect Wi-Fi 7 in the iPhone by the fall of 2024. Wi-Fi 6E is only arriving this year, so it’s possible Apple uses it for another year, but there are already a dozen Android phones with Wi- Fi 7 and it would be unusual for Apple to be two years behind if it had to wait until the iPhone e17 in 2025.

Naturally, the iPhone 16 line will feature USB-C instead of Lightning for charging and wired connectivity. That change is actually coming with the iPhone 15 line and once made, Apple won’t backtrack. Prior rumors about Apple attempting to make a completely port -free iPhone seem to have fizzled out.

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iPhone Batteries Will Get More Expensive Soon. How to Check Yours and Replace It

Starting in March, Apple is raising the price of phone batteries for all models except the iPhone 14.Is your iPhone slow to charge? Does it have trouble maintaining a charge throughout the day, or unexpectedly shut down? If so, you might want to consider getting a new battery.


And you probably want to do it ASAP. Apple recently announced that starting March 1, you’ll have to pay $20 more to replace your battery through Apple’s existing services (except for the iPhone 14 models, since that price is staying the same).
So how do you find out if you really do need to replace your battery? We’ll show you how to check out your battery’s health via your iPhone settings, as well as what you can do to prolong your battery’s lifespan.

How to check on your iPhone battery’s healthYour iPhone battery becomes less effective over time, but you could also have a faulty battery on a brand-new iPhone. To quickly check if there’s an issue with your battery health, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. re running anything below iOS 16.1, the latter will appear as just Battery Health.


At the top, you’ll see the maximum capacity of your battery, which should be 100%, or close to it, if you have a relatively new iPhone. 
However, what you want to look at is Peak Performance Capability and the sentence underneath that. If you see Your battery is currently supporting normal peak performance, you don’t have any recognized battery issues and you shouldn’t need a replacement

Do you need to replace your iPhone battery?

If you see any of the following messages, you may need to replace your battery, or at the very least make an appointment with Apple or an authorized service provider to check your battery out:
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, or You have manually disabled performance management protections.This iPhone is unable to determine battery health. An Apple Authorized Service Provider can service the battery. More about service options.

Your battery’s health is significantly degraded. An Apple Authorized Service Provider can replace the battery to restore full performance and capacity.

More about service options.Depending on whether you have insurance (third-party or AppleCare Plus) or not, you may not have to spend any money at all to replace your iPhone’s battery. If your iPhone is new, you have at least a one-year warranty to replace a defective battery. If you do not have insurance, Apple charges an estimated $49 to $99 to replace your battery. Additionally, you can check out the Apple Service Programs page to see if any replacement or repair programs are available for your device.

Is there anything you can do to prolong your iPhone battery’s life?The quicker you go through your daily battery life, the quicker your battery’s overall lifespan degrades, so here are some tips to follow, according to Apple:


Update to the latest software available.Adjust your screen brightness (manually or automatically) as needed.Use Wi-Fi when available.Enable Low Power Mode as needed.Turn off Background App Refresh (overall or an on a per-app basis).

Turn off Location Services (overall or on a per-app basis).Turn off Allow Notifications.Turn on Airplane Mode when applicable.When you charge your phone with your computer, make sure your computer is plugged in.Two iOS settings to help keep your battery’s healthYou can toggle on auto-brightness (left) and prevent apps from refreshing in the background (right) to improve your battery life and lifespan.

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Apple increases trade-in value for several iPhones ahead of iPhone 15 launch

Apple has increased the maximum trade-in values ​​of older Pro iPhone models in anticipation of the iPhone 15 in September. Conversely, the maximum trade-in values ​​for other phones – particularly the older iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini models – have been reduced .


The adjustments, which you can check for yourself on Apple’s site, primarily affect the Pro models. iPhone 13 mini going keeping its $330 value in the US and seeing a small £335 to £340 rise in the UK. The 2020 iPhone SE also sees a decrease in value, from $100 to $90, while the 2020 iPhone SE’s value remains unchanged at $160. Here’s the full updated pricing breakdown:


On the other hand, the trade-in values ​​of high-end models like the iPhone 11 Pro Max, 12 Pro Max, and 13 Pro Max have been increased. Apple’s aim is likely to cater to customers seeking higher-value devices and the absolute best iPhones. The UK phones see the most substantial increases, with iPhone 13 Pro Max seeing a rise from £590 to £640, while the 12 Pro goes from £350 to £420.

How would you react if the US got attacked? Game simulates geopoliticsPolitics SimulationA true value kingApple’s iPhones are renowned for retaining their value over time, making them an attractive choice for customers who prefer to hold on to their devices, rather than upgrading every year or two. use an iPhone for three or four years, knowing that they can cash in their handset when the time comes to upgrade.

While the highly anticipated Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro are expected to be announced in September, these favorable trade-in values ​​can also be taken advantage of by customers looking to benefit from the reduced prices of older or refurbished models offered byApple. 

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The iPhone SE 4 could get the iPhone 15 Pro’s Action Button plus other big upgrades

The iPhone SE 4 could be the biggest upgrade to Apple’s SE line that we’ve ever seen,and it might even have a feature that we’re not expecting the iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus to have – namely, an Action Button.
This is according to leaker @URedditor (via MacRumors), and it’s something that no iPhones yet have, but which is widely rumored for inclusion on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.


It would reportedly take the place of the mute switch on the side of these phones, and would be customizable, so that pressing it could launch an app or function of your choice.
That’s not the only upgrade the iPhone SE 4 might be getting though. We’ve previously heard that it will probably have an iPhone 14-like design, complete with a 6.1-inch screen, a notch, and no physical home button. echoed here, along with the claim that it will feature Face ID rather than Touch ID.


Plus, this source claims that the iPhone SE 4 will have a USB-C port, which is a big change in itself but an unsurprising one, given that EU laws mean Apple will have to switch its phones to USB-C soon, anyway.


The only disappointment in this latest leak is that the iPhone SE 4 will reportedly just have one rear camera, much like the iPhone SE . Still, given that this is designed as an affordable model, this is an understandable compromise.
A big upgrade but a long waitSo in all, the iPhone SE 4 might have a bigger screen than the current model, a more modern design (though still slightly dated now that Apple is replacing the notch with a Dynamic Island on its top phones), Face ID, a better charging port, and a handy customizable button, along presumably with more power than the iPhone SE 


This sounds to be a huge upgrade overall then, though – as ever with leaks – we’d take this with a pinch of salt. We also probably won’t see the Smartphone iPhone SE 4  for quite a while, with the latest rumors pointing to a 2025 or later release date.
That explains how it could be getting an Action Button when the iPhone 15 probably won’t – since by 2025 it will be competing with the iPhone 16 or 17, which may well have Action Buttons of their own.


Indeed, by then these upgrades may feel rather less impressive relative to what else Apple is doing with the best iPhones, but they should still be greatly appreciated by anyone upgrading from an iPhone SE