Smartphone owners face the inevitable reality that their phone’s battery will need to be replaced due to a decline in its charging capacity. For iPhone 15 users, the future just got a bit brighter as Apple has announced that their phone batteries can retain 80% of their original capacity after 1,000 charge and discharge cycles.
While this number is based on optimal conditions, it still doubles the estimated life expectancy of batteries in earlier iPhone models, which Apple had previously claimed to be around 500 cycles. According to company representatives, Apple continuously improves the performance characteristics of its batteries and refines the power management system of its smartphones’ components, which affect battery life. This optimistic estimate may be due to changes in the calculation method used to estimate battery life, a detail Apple has not made fully transparent.
In the beta version of iOS 17.4, Apple simplified the process for iPhone 15 users to access information about their smartphone’s battery health. Consideration is given to the number of charge and discharge cycles, enabling users to anticipate the battery’s lifespan under their current usage practices. Software optimization also takes into account user habits, which can further extend the smartphone’s battery life. iPhone owners also have the option to limit charging to 80% of the battery’s total capacity, which can further increase its lifespan.
