Apple has updated the battery life of the iPhone 15. The company said Tuesday that its latest iPhones can retain 80 percent of their original charge after 1,000 cycles — more than double the company’s previous estimate — without any new hardware or software updates. Not coincidentally, the change comes in time for upcoming EU regulations that will set an energy rating for phones’ battery longevity.
Before today, Apple’s online support documentation stated that iPhone batteries retain 80 percent of their original full charge after 500 cycles. But after the company retested long-term battery health on its 2023 smartphones — iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max – found they could retain 80 percent capacity after at least 1,000 cycles. The company said its supporting documents will be updated on Tuesday to reflect the new estimate.
Apple says its tests included charging and discharging the batteries 1,000 times under specific conditions and a series of tests reflecting common usage. As for doubling the estimate without any physical or software changes, the company attributes the improvement to continued improvements in battery components and iOS power management.
For older (pre-2023) iPhones, the original estimate of 80 percent capacity retention after 500 charge cycles still stands — at least for now. Apple said it is investigating whether estimates of older models need to be updated.
From June 2025, smartphone and tablet manufacturers operating in the EU will be assigned a class (A to G) show their energy efficiency, battery life, dust and water protection, and resistance to accidental drops. The battery’s longevity rating requires at least 800 charge cycles with at least 80 percent of its original capacity, which helps explain why Apple is starting to retest the long-term health of its devices.
For ideal battery life, Apple recommends keeping your phone between 62 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit whenever possible. You’ll also want to avoid charging or leaving your phone in hot environments (95 degrees or hotter) while trying to avoid direct sun exposure. Also, if you’re keeping your old iPhone for a long time, it’s best to leave it half-charged.
In addition, Apple will soon move one of your phone’s most important battery indicators to a different part of iOS settings. Starting with iOS 17.4, which is currently in beta, the battery cycle count will move to a more logical home under Settings > General > About Battery Health (under Settings > Battery). Apple has introduced battery life counts to its mobile software iOS 17was launched last fall.
