Let's be honest — our phones are more than just devices. They are lifelines. From an early morning alarm clock to a late-night scroll, they are there for every hustle and hiccup that our day brings. However, over time, even the most dependable iPhone will succumb to battery fatigue. Your phone dies frequently while you're on the go, or you become attached to a charger or power bank. Sound familiar? You're not alone!
Luckily, replacing your iPhone battery is an inexpensive way to revive your phone, and the choices today are better than ever. Read on, this guide will take you through everything you need to know about selecting a replacement battery.
iPhone Battery Degradation: The Unavoidable Reality
You might be on an important work call and suddenly your iPhone dies, or you might be in the middle of a concert, trying to document a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and then you see the low battery alert. It may seem like a minor inconvenience, but is it? Either way, it's frustrating and inconvenient if it disrupts your day.
Like all lithium-ion batteries, iPhone batteries degrade over time. Typically, when you go from 100% charge to 0% charge, which is one charge cycle, each charge cycle progressively reduces the battery capacity. In fact, if you are like the average user, after approximately 500 cycles, the battery will be at 80% of its original capacity, and that's where your "low-battery blues" begin!
When it comes to the signs behind the decline, it's not just about how often you charge your phone, there are environmental conditions at play as well. For example, leaving your iPhone in a hot car or freezing it outside in winter will accelerate the degradation of your batteries. Also, while software updates are supposed to improve performance, some of them inadvertently highlight battery issues due to optimizing power consumption. In fact, there's a chemical process occurring inside your battery, and the faster you charge and discharge it, the slower those chemical processes occur. It's like when a car's engine is working properly, even the best engines will deteriorate over time.
7 Signs that Your iPhone Needs a New Battery
Wondering when it’s time to swap out your iPhone’s battery? Here are the telltale signs, broken down into easy-to-understand red flags:
1. Overheating
If your iPhone feels like a mini-heater when you’re just browsing the web or making a call, it could be a sign that the battery is working overtime. Overheating is often a result of the battery cells deteriorating and struggling to maintain a stable charge.
2. Slow Charging or No Charging at All
You plug in your phone, and hours later, it's still clinging to 30%. Or worse, your phone simply refuses to charge — a classic sign of a dying battery (or maybe a faulty charging port, but let’s focus on batteries here).
3. Unexpected Shutdowns
One moment you're at 40%, the next — black screen. This happens when the battery of your phone can't deliver a consistent voltage, causing the phone to shut down, even with a full battery.
4. Rapid Battery Drain
Remember when a full charge lasted all day? Now, it seems like you're charging every few hours. If your battery drops from 100% to 20% in a matter of hours with light use, battery degradation is likely the culprit.
5. A Swollen Battery
A swollen battery is a serious red flag. If the screen is bulging or the battery feels squishy, stop using the phone immediately. A swollen battery is a safety hazard and needs professional replacement right away.
6. Fluctuating Battery Percentage
One minute you're at 60%, the next it jumps to 80% or plummets to 30%. Such inconsistent readings mean your battery's health monitor is struggling to gauge its capacity, indicating a need for battery replacement.
7. Sluggish Performance
iOS has a feature that throttles performance when the battery is degraded to prevent sudden shutdowns. Therefore, if your once-speedy iPhone feels laggy, a new battery might be the fix!
Benefits of Replacing Your iPhone Battery
The idea of replacing a battery isn't just about avoiding the low-battery anxiety. It's about restoring your iPhone to its former glory. Here are the top benefits:
1. Extended Screen Time and Productivity
With a new battery, you don't need to go hunting for a charger or power bank frequently. Whether you are working, streaming, or gaming, you can enjoy longer hours of use with peace of mind.
2. Cost Savings
Why spend $1,000 on a new iPhone when a battery replacement costs a fraction of that? What's more, replacing a battery is also environmentally-friendly. Every year, millions of electronic devices, like iPhones, are thrown away in landfills simply because the battery is spent. So, if you replace the battery rather than throw the whole phone away, you are cutting down on e-waste. Less e-waste means less toxins leaching into the soil and water, which means a happier, healthier planet for all of us.
3. Improved Performance
No more lag or unexpected shutdowns. A fresh battery allows your iPhone to run apps, updates, and multitask smoothly, just like when you first unboxed it!
4. Enhanced Safety
As mentioned before, older, degraded batteries are more prone to overheating or swelling. Swapping the spent battery out reduces safety risks and gives you peace of mind.
5. Customizable Power Options
Many replacement batteries on the market today are engineered to offer higher capacity than their original counterparts. This means that whether you're a heavy user constantly juggling multiple apps, streaming media, or using your phone for navigation during a long journey, you can count on these batteries to provide that extra power boost.
6. No More Charging Anxiety
Imagine leaving the house without checking if you packed a charger or a power bank. With a new battery, you'll trust your phone to keep up, whether you're off the grid of stuck in a long meeting.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Replacement Battery
Not all replacement batteries are created equal. Here’s what to look for to ensure you’re getting a quality product:
1. Battery Capacity
A higher mAh doesn’t always mean better, but it is important! The original capacity of the iPhone battery varies by model. Find a replacement battery of similar or slightly higher capacity if you want to be able to use the phone longer.
2. Compatibility
iPhone batteries are model-specific. So, always make sure that the replacement battery is designed for your exact model to ensure a proper fit and function.
3. Brand Reputation and Quality Assurance
Stick with reputable brands that offer certifications like CE, FCC, and RoHS. These ensure the battery meets relevant safety and performance standards.
4. Warranty and Customer Support
A good brand stands by its product. Look for at least a 1-year warranty and responsive customer service in case you encounter issues.
5. Additional Features
Some replacement batteries come with built-in protections against overcharging, overheating, or short circuits. These features not only extend the lifespan of your battery, but also keep your iPhone secure.
6. Professional vs. DIY Replacement
Decide if you want to replace the battery yourself or hire a pro to do the job. DIY kits are cheaper but require patience and care. Professional services, on the other hand, cost more but ensure a seamless replacement.
Best Replacement Batteries for Your iPhone
Pisen has built a reputation for delivering durable, performance-driven batteries. The iPhone replacement batteries are designed with precision, using premium lithium-ion cells to ensure longevity and safety.
First, Pisen replacement batteries often offer slightly higher capacity than the original, meaning more screen time.
Next, Pisen offers models for almost every iPhone generation. From the iPhone 7 up to the iPhone 15 series, Pisen has got you covered.
Finally, Pisen goes above and beyond by providing detailed tutorial videos. These videos take you through each step of the replacement process in a clear and concise manner. So, even if you've never opened an iPhone before and are completely new to DIY phone repair, going through the step-by-step instructions can make it seem quite easy to tackle!
Conclusion
Don't rush into purchasing a new iPhone just because the battery is dying. Instead, get a new battery! Your phone will perform better, you can save money, and keep your waste stream down.
Whether you decide to do it yourself or take it to a trusted professional, always be aware of quality, safety, compatibility, and brand reputation.
Ready to make the switch? Check out Pisen’s range of iPhone replacement batteries today and experience the difference yourself!