A lithium-ion battery ages even if you look after your phone: after about 500 full charge cycles it typically keeps around 80 % of its original capacity. Here are the signs it’s time for a replacement.
6 signs
- The phone no longer lasts a day, even though you use it as before.
- It shuts down at 10–30 % charge.
- It shuts down in the cold despite showing enough charge.
- The phone has slowed down — some manufacturers throttle performance when the battery is weak.
- The battery or phone gets very hot while charging.
- The screen or back has started lifting — this may be a swollen battery.
How to check battery health
- iPhone: Settings → Battery → Battery Health. Below 80 % means it’s time to replace.
- Samsung: Samsung Members app → Diagnostics → Battery status.
- Other Android phones: some show it in settings; for others I’ll check during free diagnostics.
Swollen battery — don’t wait
If the battery has swollen, stop charging the phone: it can damage the screen and, if punctured, catch fire. Bring the phone in as soon as possible.
You can choose an original or a cheaper aftermarket battery. Repairs come with a 3-month warranty.
