It's better to get a new battery if your phone works well otherwise and you just need better battery life; it's cheaper and more sustainable, but get a new phone if your device is old, slow, damaged, lacks security updates, or you crave new features, as a battery replacement only fixes power, not overall performance. A battery replacement offers significant value for a fraction of the cost, potentially giving you 1-2 more years of use, notes Consumer Reports and Fox News.
Replacing a battery is a good idea if the phone is still fully functional and it's just the battery giving you trouble. The lifespan of a battery depends on the user's treatment. A well treated battery can remain functional for 3 years.
A phone's max battery capacity often lasts two to three years or around three hundred to 500 charge cycles. This is the estimation for branded and off-brand models. Phones that are more than three years old tend to carry less charge or will rapidly lose power than before.
The 20/80 battery rule suggests keeping lithium-ion batteries (in phones, EVs, etc.) charged between 20% and 80% for daily use to slow degradation and extend overall lifespan, avoiding the stress and heat from frequent full charges (100%) or deep discharges (near 0%). While not strictly necessary for short-term use, following this guideline minimizes battery strain, leading to better long-term health, though modern devices have built-in optimization features.
Average costs of common phone repairs
Even still, that is significantly less than purchasing the latest phone. Battery Replacements: A new battery can cost as little as $60 and up to $200 depending on the model of your phone.
Most manufacturers say that a phone battery is worth replacing when its integrity drops below 80%. Some (such as Apple) will replace it for free under their warranties if it drops this low before it's a year old.
Starting in March, anyone with an iPhone 13, 12, 11 or X will have to pay $89 for a new battery, while replacements for iPhone 8, 7, 6, 5 and SE devices will cost $69. Apple is also hiking the battery replacement price for the iPad by $20, the MacBook Air by $30 and the MacBook Pro by $50.
Here are some of the most common ones for poor battery health:
While keeping your phone between 20% and 80% charge can extend battery lifespan, occasional full charges are not detrimental. In essence, today's smartphones are designed to handle 100% charging safely, and adhering to good charging practices can help maintain battery health for the long term.
Keeping the phone plugged in continuously can lead to more frequent small charge cycles, which can reduce the overall lifespan of the battery. Disconnect your phone once it's fully charged to reduce the time it spends at 100%.
Average lifespan of a smartphone: In 2024, a smartphone has an average life span of 2.53 years. According to reports, iPhones last 4-10 years, while Samsung phones last 3-6 years. Many factors affect a smartphone's lifespan, including the condition of the screen, the hardware, and the battery's health.
So while charging to 100% won't “ruin” your phone, it can make your battery age faster. Luckily, most modern smartphones do have settings now to help you optimize charging, but a good rule of thumb is balancing convenience with constant overcharging.
Will Replacing the Battery Risk Data Loss? Generally speaking, data loss during battery replacement is uncommon -- but it can happen.
But today, most phones sold in the U.S. have batteries that are held in place by glue or foam tape . Adhesives make replacing your battery a difficult task. Getting the job done successfully may also require specialized tools and insider know-how.
The 80/20 charging rule is a guideline for lithium-ion batteries (phones, EVs, etc.) suggesting you keep the charge between 20% and 80% for daily use to extend battery longevity, avoiding deep discharges (below 20%) and prolonged full charges (above 80%) that stress the battery's electrodes, thereby slowing degradation and preserving maximum capacity longer, though modern devices have software to help manage this.
Sleep Quality Enhancement
Improving the quality of your sleep is essential for your overall well-being. One way to achieve better sleep is by turning off your phone before bedtime. Having a technology-free bedroom can create a peaceful environment that promotes restful sleep.
Store it half-charged when you store it long term.
Therefore, we recommend the following: Do not fully charge or fully discharge your device's battery — charge it to around 50%.
The main thing that'll drain your battery is the apps you use. Whether it's WhatsApp accessing your photos to share in a group chat, or Uber checking your location to get a taxi to you quickly, all these app functions need power.
Watch for these eight telltale signs of a failing battery so you don't end up stranded on the side of the road!
Always-on background apps, outdated software, and malware can also cause your battery to drain faster.
No, Apple is not still offering the $29 iPhone battery replacement program; that special pricing ended in December 2018, and current out-of-warranty replacement costs are higher, typically $89 or more, depending on the iPhone model, though it's free if you have AppleCare+ and your battery holds less than 80% capacity.
Apple has its own do-it-yourself repair program, but even if you don't use that, you can replace your iPhone's battery yourself at home.
iPhone battery's maximum capacity
It starts out at 100% (or just under), and as the battery ages, capacity decreases, which means you get fewer hours between charges. If the number you see under Maximum Capacity is more than 80%, you have a healthy battery, according to Apple.