Observe ZDNET: Add us as a most well-liked supply on Google.
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- My iPhone is lower than 18 months outdated.
- It now can’t make it by way of a day with out a recharge.
- Nothing seems irregular within the settings.
Somewhat than do my traditional and improve my iPhone once more final yr with solely a few yr on the clock, I made a decision to attempt 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 “underneath excellent situations.” 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.
So, I ought to be good for at the least a few years, proper? Mistaken.
Some background
The battery in my iPhone 15 Professional 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 On the time of writing, it is early September 2025, so the iPhone is round 17 months outdated.
In response to the information 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 — virtually precisely midway by way of these 1,000 recharge cycles.
On prime of that, I’ve taken each doable measure to look after the battery: I’ve completely set the charging restrict to 80% (Settings > Battery > Charging), prevented conserving the handset on cost for excessively lengthy durations, and ensured it stays away from excessive temperatures.
Now it does 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.
This iPhone is working a beta model of iOS 26, with Adaptive Energy enabled, so in idea it ought to handle battery consumption higher. Nonetheless, bugs are to be anticipated in beta software program, so I assumed that may have one thing to do with the problem and rolled again to the newest iOS 18 launch.
No. Battery life isn’t any worse underneath iOS 26 than iOS 18.
Now, I’m fairly a heavy iPhone consumer. 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 all the time 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 in the course of the day, however it additionally accelerates and intensifies battery degradation, thereby lowering the general lifespan of the battery.
Now, it may very well be simply me, however a fast search suggests I am not alone.
So, what are my choices if I wished this handset to final me three years?
Properly, I am going to inform you 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 might probably speed up battery put on.
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 can not go it on on this situation.
Within the interim, I am going to seize one in every of my thin-and-light MagSafe energy banks and make that a part of my must-have on a regular basis carry.
