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- My iPhone is lower than 18 months previous.
- It now can not make it by way of a day and not using a recharge.
- Nothing seems irregular within the settings.
Somewhat than do my standard and upgrade my iPhone once more final yr with solely a few yr on the clock, I made a decision to strive what most individuals find yourself having to do — hold it going for a couple of years.
Apple says that the battery is designed to retain 80% of its unique capability at 1,000 recharge cycles “beneath best circumstances.” At that time, when the battery’s most capability dips beneath the 80% mark, it’s functionally on the finish of its life and can want changing.
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So, I ought to be good for at the least a few years, proper? Improper.
Some background
The battery in my iPhone 15 Pro Max was manufactured in December 2023 and first utilized in March 2024 (it was delivered to me on March 9). On the time of writing, it is early September 2025, so the iPhone is round 17 months previous.
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In response to the info saved by the working system, battery well being is regular, most capability is 89% in comparison with when it was new, and it has been by way of 501 recharge cycles — nearly precisely midway by way of these 1,000 recharge cycles.
My iPhone’s battery is, in response to Apple’s metrics, about midway by way of its efficient lifespan.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
On high of that, I’ve taken every possible measure to look after the battery: I’ve completely set the charging restrict to 80% (Settings > Battery > Charging), prevented holding the handset on cost for excessively lengthy durations, and ensured it stays away from excessive temperatures.
Now it would not final a day
I begin the day with an 80% cost as a result of that is the cost restrict I’ve it set at, and by late afternoon, it is hovering near — if not previous — the 20% zone.
Battery utilization on my iPhone 16 Professional Max on a typical day.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
This iPhone is operating a beta model of iOS 26, with Adaptive Energy enabled, so in concept it ought to handle battery consumption higher. Nonetheless, bugs are to be anticipated in beta software program, so I believed that may have one thing to do with the problem and rolled again to the most recent iOS 18 launch.
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No. Battery life is not any worse beneath iOS 26 than iOS 18.
Now, I’m fairly a heavy iPhone person. It is by no means greater than an arm’s attain away, and I routinely have music, Audible, or YouTube enjoying within the background with the display off (sure, I am the man paying for YouTube Premium). That is at all times been my utilization sample, so nothing has modified. I used to have the ability to make it to the night. Now, early afternoon is hard.
So, what is going on on?
What I am seeing here’s a symptom of heavy utilization. Not solely does it use extra battery through the day, however it additionally accelerates and intensifies battery degradation, thereby lowering the general lifespan of the battery.
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Now, it could possibly be simply me, however a quick search suggests I am not alone.
So, what are my choices if I needed this handset to final me three years?
Effectively, I am going to let you know now, I am completely satisfied that this handset will not make it to the three-year mark with out being a complete nuisance to make use of. I can eke extra battery life by rising the charging restrict from 80%, however that may doubtless speed up battery put on.
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I might additionally get the battery changed. That is what I am going to do. I am planning on changing this handset this yr, however I am unable to move it on on this situation.
Within the interim, I am going to seize considered one of my thin-and-light MagSafe power banks and make that a part of my must-have on a regular basis carry.
