Battery health has become a hot topic for iPhone users. The percentage displayed in Settings often sparks concern when it drops. But should you worry about minor dips? Is 100% battery health actually maintainable long-term?
In this guide, we’ll dig into the factors impacting battery health, assess if it’s declined this year, and share actionable tips to optimize your iPhone battery. Let’s kick things off by understanding what’s changed in 2022.
Has iPhone Battery Health Changed in 2022?
I’ve carefully tracked iPhone battery health for years. Typically by August, my percentage would hold steady at 100%. But that’s not the case with my iPhone 14 Pro Max in 2022.
Here are the key datapoints:
- With iPhone 13 Pro Max, it took 318 days to drop from 100% to 99% health.
- On my iPhone 14 Pro Max, it already fell to 99% after just 89 days.
- This occurred after only 60 charge cycles, versus over 200 cycles for my 13 Pro Max.
So battery health definitely seems to be decreasing faster in 2022, despite no changes to my usage, charging habits, or environment.
I’m not alone either. In a Twitter poll, 46% of respondents have seen battery health under 100% already on their iPhone 14 models. Something is up this year.
But why? Let’s explore the major factors impacting battery lifespan.
What Impacts iPhone Battery Health?
There are two primary factors that determine lithium-ion battery health:
1. Charge Cycles
Every full charge/discharge of your iPhone’s battery capacity is considered one cycle. After 500 cycles, Apple guarantees the battery will maintain at least 80% health.
More cycles = lower health over time. But my 14 Pro Max dropped 7% after just 60 cycles, suggesting other factors are accelerating degradation.
2. Heat
Heat is battery chemistry’s worst enemy. Higher temperatures accelerate decline. Ideal is 60-72°F (16-22°C). iPhones throttle performance when hot to mitigate heat.
My phone environment is around 70°F (21°C). But 2022 was a hot summer, so heat could be playing a role. Cases can also trap heat, which leads us to…
Tips to Reduce Heat and Prolong Battery Health
Here are some simple tips to keep your iPhone battery running cool and efficient:
- Remove case when very hot – Allows better heat dissipation.
- Avoid intensive usage in hot areas – Gaming, video calls, etc. Produces more heat.
- Wireless charge carefully – Generates warmth. Use lower wattage charger.
- Avoid full discharges – Don’t let battery drain to 0% frequently.
- Store around 50% charge – Best for battery health when not using phone.
While heat is unavoidable in summer, being mindful helps prevent excess battery wear. Next, let’s look at charging habits.
Optimized iPhone Charging Habits
Over years of testing, I’ve settled on these charging practices:
- Charge to 100% overnight – For full day’s usage.
- Use Apple fast charger – More convenient despite heat.
- Top off in car with Qi wireless charger – When convenient.
- Avoid leaving at 100% or 0% – For long periods. Storing at ~50% is best.
- Enable Optimized Battery Charging – For longevity.
I aim for convenience while being careful of extremes. The iPhone’s own battery preservation features handle the rest.
Now let’s examine if 100% battery health is actually sustainable long term.
Is Maintaining 100% Battery Health Possible?
The short answer is no, maintaining 100% health indefinitely isn’t realistic.
Why? Because lithium-ion batteries inevitably degrade through normal use. That’s simply the nature of current battery technology.
Think of it like the odometer in your car – it’ll always increment upwards as miles accumulate. The battery health percentage is like your odometer. It’ll drop over time and usage.
For example, after 2 years, Apple only guarantees batteries will retain at least 80% health. Some degradation is unavoidable.
So don’t obsess over a 100% reading. Minor fluctuations are normal. Focus instead on optimal usage and charging habits.
What Caused Faster Degradation in 2022?
If battery health decline is inevitable, what’s causing it to drop quicker in 2022? Here are the main theories:
- iOS 16 battery drain – New software bugs consuming more power in the background.
- Always-On Display – Maintaining the dimmed lock screen could be using extra battery life.
- 5G connectivity – Next-gen networks could be less efficient than 4G LTE.
- Cheaper batteries – Apple may be using lower-grade cells to cut costs. Unconfirmed.
It’s likely a combination of factors. Software and displays tend to improve over time. 5G will mature. The out-of-warranty battery cost also increased in 2022, up to $99 for iPhone 14 models.
What’s the Best Way to Charge Your iPhone?
Given these learnings, what’s the ideal way to charge your iPhone for a long, healthy battery lifespan?
Use the included charger – Apple’s 20W fast charger delivers an excellent balance of speed and efficiency.
Stick to wireless charging – Modern iPhones throttle power delivery when warm. Slower is cooler.
Avoid super fast chargers regularly – Juicing to 100% in 30 minutes stresses battery longevity.
Enable Optimized Battery Charging – Let your iPhone learn your schedule to optimize charging times.
Charge between 10-90% when possible – Avoid regular 0% and 100% to prolong overall capacity.
Store at 50% charge when unused – Keeping the battery halfway helps slow natural discharge.
As with most things, moderation is key. Find a routine that works for your needs and stick to it.
How to Get Back to 100% Battery Health
If your battery health percentage concerns you enough, there is a surefire way to get it back to 100% – simply have Apple replace the battery.
Here are the current battery replacement costs for eligible iPhone models:
| iPhone Model | Replacement Cost |
|---|---|
| iPhone 14/14 Pro | $99 |
| iPhone 13/13 Pro | $89 |
| iPhone 12/12 Pro | $89 |
| iPhone 11/11 Pro | $79 |
| iPhone XS/XR | $79 |
| iPhone 8/7/6S/6 | $69 |
A new battery will restore that battery health reading to factory fresh condition. Just be prepared to pay the premium price.
Don’t Worry, Just Use and Enjoy Your iPhone
Hopefully this guide provides a realistic perspective on maintaining iPhone battery health. Don’t stress over minor capacity loss – it’s inevitable!
Instead, focus on the following best practices:
- Charge moderately and consistently
- Avoid temperature extremes when possible
- Disable unnecessary background processes
- Use Optimized Battery Charging
- Only replace battery if capacity becomes frustrating
By implementing smart charging habits, your iPhone’s battery can easily last 2+ years or beyond. But don’t become a slave to the battery health percentage number. Use your phone and enjoy it!
Let me know if you have any other battery questions. I’m happy to chat more about optimizing your iPhone or other devices. Cheers!