I just purchased a sealed/shrink wrapped iPhone 2G from ebay...

Question

Level 1

10 points

I just purchased a sealed/shrink wrapped iPhone 2G from ebay...

Received it today, it was made back in July of 07 and here we are 2 years later. Is this battery still good in this phone even though it hasn't been used? I've heard stories (about electronics in general that have batteries) that even if the battery is not being used, they will discharge and 'wear out' after so many years. Is this the case with the battery that's in my iPhone or should I be OK?

Just curious also what is the normal life on these batteries?

Thanks!

Posted on Jul 17, 2009 12:50 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 17, 2009 1:04 PM in response to Dayvidpriddy

You'll have to use it for a while to determine how the battery life is.

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Answer 2

Dayvidpriddy Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 17, 2009 1:07 PM in response to Templeton Peck

That didn't really answer my question. The question was how long is the life span of the battery? It's been in the phone since July of 07, it's now 2 years later. A lot of batteries lose their life just by sitting around even when not being used.

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Answer 3

Jul 17, 2009 1:17 PM in response to Dayvidpriddy

That didn't really answer my question.

Well nobody can really answer your question as life span depends on the usage and how many cycles the battery has.

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Answer 4

KartM

Level 1

65 points

Jul 17, 2009 1:55 PM in response to Dayvidpriddy

Use it and figure it out

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Answer 5

tokatta

Level 3

869 points

Jul 17, 2009 2:01 PM in response to Dayvidpriddy

LiON batteries are mostly effected by charge/discharge cycles - usually 500 and then they go. If stored with less then 100% charge they tend to do OK.

BUT, batteries are finicky. They have exceptions like all manufactured products and you really don't know if the phone has ever been used. Every Bestbuy and Fry's have a shrink wrap machine (along with many private citizens) - SO as mentioned above try it and see what happens.

2 years of age without use will have some effect. 2 years with use, will have even more.

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Answer 6

varjak paw

Level 10

182,662 points

Jul 17, 2009 2:04 PM in response to Dayvidpriddy

Life span of a battery is different than the shelf life of a battery. What it appears you're really asking about is shelf life. You may find the information on this site to be useful reading:

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/partone-19.htm

For additional information and opinions, do a web search for "lithium battery shelf life".

Regards.

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Answer 7

Dayvidpriddy Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 17, 2009 2:38 PM in response to KartM

Wow someone took their nasty pills today!

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Answer 8

Dayvidpriddy Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 17, 2009 2:42 PM in response to Dayvidpriddy

FYI...all batteries have a life span before they are no good anymore (this includes batteries that are sitting in a device or out of a device and not being used.) They die sooner or later. All I was asking was what was the typical life span of the batteries in the iPhones before they typically needed to be replaced, I figured some nerd here would know. Responding with "use it and find out" doesn't really answer the question. I didn't ask how long the battery lasted between charges now did I?

Anways don't bother replying, I'll head over to modmyi and get decent help, I should have known not to come here with all the Apple fanboys and nerds waiting for their next victim to lash out at...

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Answer 9

KartM

Level 1

65 points

Jul 17, 2009 2:58 PM in response to Dayvidpriddy

you asked how the iPhone battery sitting idle for 2 years will effect the battery, following it with your statement that battery tend to lose some life if they just sit idle. Seems like you answered your own questions.
Now to find out how your iPhone battery is doing, your only option it to start using it and see how it goes.
one thing i recommend is that once you setup your iPhone, charge the iPhone to 100% and then drain the heck out of the battery to 0% when it shuts off. Then plug it into the wall to charge, turn it off and do not touch it for 5 hours. Let it charge to 100%. Give it 5 hours so it hits 100%. This will condiiton your battery and calibrate the meter. if you ever have battery issues, just repeat the conditioning process. And give it a few days of use and your battery will behave better.

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Answer 10

tokatta

Level 3

869 points

Jul 18, 2009 8:38 AM in response to Dayvidpriddy

Not a fanboy here just giving you the facts. Unfortunately you don't want to hear them.

But hey, if you think that your shrink wrapped phone from ebay is actually brand new and never been used then you may believe anything.... so go to Modmyi and let someone tell you the battery is good for 10 years.... that is what you want to hear, right?

You might as well as the same question about a car battery... "i bought a sealed 2 year old car battery, never been used, how long will it last?" and you would get the same answers.... other then alkalines, batteries are not made to sit on shelves for 2 years.

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