Any iPhone battery health above 80% is fine for normal use, and 85% is good. As for when to replace the iPhone battery: once health drops below 80%, or the phone no longer gets you through the day, whichever comes first.
Health by percentage: a quick table
Find it in Settings > Battery > Battery Health (more in iPhone battery health explained).
| Health | What it means day to day |
|---|---|
| 95–100% | As good as new |
| 90–94% | Normal wear; you won’t notice a difference |
| 85–89% | Slightly shorter day; still good |
| 80–84% | Noticeably shorter; you may need a midday charge |
| Below 80% | Worn out; slowdowns and sudden shutdowns become likely |
The percentage compares today’s capacity with when the battery was new. An 80% battery holds about four-fifths of its original charge.
Is 80% the replacement point?
Apple treats 80% as the end of a battery’s designed life, so it’s a sensible line, not a deadline. Below it, your iPhone may show a service message, and it may start limiting speed to avoid unexpected shutdowns. That’s what the Peak Performance Capability line is about: see what peak performance means.
If you’re at 79% but the phone still lasts your day, you can wait. If you’re at 84% and it dies by 4 pm, replacing is reasonable.
Average health after 1 and 2 years
There’s no single average, because it depends on how many charge cycles you use. One cycle is using 100% of the battery’s capacity, in total, not necessarily all at once. Apple’s ratings:
- iPhone 14 and older: about 80% after 500 full cycles.
- iPhone 15 and newer: about 80% after 1,000 full cycles.
A heavy user who goes through roughly one full charge a day reaches 500 cycles in about a year and a half. So an older iPhone that’s used hard can be near 80% within two years, while a newer one used the same way should still be well above it. Heat speeds this up: avoid leaving the phone on a car dashboard or charging under a pillow, especially in the coast heat. Daily habits that help are in phone battery charging tips.
Replacement: genuine vs cheap
Repair shops usually offer two kinds of battery:
- Genuine (Apple): from Apple or an Apple Authorised Service Provider. Costs more, but holds its capacity and keeps Battery Health readings working.
- Copy or third-party: cheaper, but quality varies a lot. On iPhone XS and newer, Settings shows “Unknown Part” or a battery warning, and some copies wear out within months.
Before you pay:
- Ask which type it is and for a written receipt.
- Ask how long the warranty on the battery lasts.
- Check Settings > General > About > Parts and Service History afterwards.
Get a quote for both types: a good battery often makes an old iPhone feel new again, and costs far less than a new phone.
Quick answers
Yes. At 85% most people still get a full day; you’ll just charge a little sooner than when the phone was new.
When health falls below 80%, when the phone shuts down unexpectedly, or when it no longer lasts your normal day.
It varies with use. Heavy users of iPhone 14 and older models can be near 80%; iPhone 15 and newer models are rated to wear about half as fast.
