iPhone Battery Replacement: What you need to know

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Most of us know that smartphone batteries degrade as we recharge them, and there's no exception when it comes to iPhones. Fortunately, a weak battery doesn't mean you need an all new iPhone - you can just replace the battery instead. If this is a path you want to go take, here's what you need to know.

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Why replace an iPhone battery?

All smartphone batteries get weaker over time, but last year it was revealed that versions of iOS from 10.2.1 onward reduce the peak performance of older iPhone models with degraded batteries to prevent unexpected shutdowns. Apple says these shutdowns would be caused by older iPhones drawing more power than the battery can provide in a single instance. The decrease in peak performance should initially only be noticeable when using particularly demanding apps.

iPhones use lithium-ion batteries (as with all smartphones), which degrade over time due to the battery's chemical composition. Apple says the iPhone battery is designed to retain 80% of its original capacity over 500 complete recharges.

Replacing an old iPhone battery with a new one will restore performance to "normal". In addition, a fresh battery will mean your iPhone will last longer before going flat. 

If you want to check the health of your battery (available on iOS 11.3 or newer), you can do so by following these steps: 

• Open the Settings app

• Tap Battery and then Battery Health

This will show the maximum capacity of your battery. If your iPhone performance is being throttled due to a reduced battery, you'll be able to disable this here. Disabling performance throttling can however lead to unexpected shutdowns or app crashes. 

How much will an iPhone battery replacement cost me?

If your iPhone is still under warranty, covered by consumer law, or you AppleCare+, Apple will replace your battery for free if of charge. 

If you're not covered by any of the aforementioned, what you'll pay will depend on which iPhone have you have. An out of warranty battery replacement for the iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, or iPhone XR will set you back $109.

Out of battery replacement for all other eligible models - including the iPhone SE, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus - is $99. 

Phone Medic will add on a $19.95 shipping fee if you're sending in your iPhone by post. 

Where can I get my iPhone battery replaced?

You get your iPhone battery replaced either in-store or by mailing your device to Phone Medic. If you go for the in-store option, you can either make an appointment at a Phone Medic Store.

If you don't have a store nearby, Apple will send you a box that you can use to ship your iPhone to an Apple Repair Centre. Apple estimates that you'll typically get your iPhone back in about a week.

What iPhones are eligible for a battery replacement?

Phone Medic should be able to replace the battery of any iPhone. However, at a minimum, the company will definitely replace batteries on devices as old as the 2014 iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. 

Phone Medic will typically only replace your battery if it retains less than 80% of its original capacity.

Who should replace their iPhone battery?

If your iPhone is around two years old and you'd prefer to hold onto it rather than buying a new one, replacing the battery is a pretty good idea. Even if you haven't noticed any performance impacts, a fresh battery will extend the life of your iPhone and give you a bit more juice to get through the day. 

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