You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

💡 Did you know?

⏺ If you can't accept iCloud Terms and Conditions... Learn more >

⏺ If you don't see your iCloud notes in the Notes app... Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

iPhone 5 v. iPhone 6 Battery Cycle Count - Questions

I am using two apps from the app store called "Battery Percentage - Your Device Doctor" and "Battery Life: Check Internal Battery...." on an iPhone 5 and iPhone 6. The iPhone 5 (called just "5" from now on) is 3 years old now and the iPhone 6 (called just "6" from now on) is 1 year old now. Both 5 and 6 are updated to the latest iOS updates. 5 has mostly been plugged in throughout the day - which I admit could have contributed to it's poor battery health as of now. Meanwhile, 6 has been charged, on average, 1.5 times a day and has remained off the charger for the majority of the day.

Anyway, back to those apps I was testing: according to both of these apps (which give the same information):

Battery Cycle Count: 427

Battery Health: BAD-VERY BAD.

Battery Cycle Count: 258

Battery Health: GOOD-PERFECT.

Here are my questions:

1. I have received contradictory information on the maximum battery cycle count for the 5 and 6. I have heard that the 5 has a maximum of 500 cycles before it experiences a 20% degradation and the 6 has a maximum of 1000 cycles. Other websites have stated that all iPhones have a maximum of 500 cycles and only the macbooks have a 1000 cycle maximum. Which is true?

2. If the cycle count is 500 cycles max, why is the 5's battery health rated as BAD to VERY BAD? It's still below the 500 maximum so in theory it should not have experienced any degradation before it hits 500 right?

3. Also, I am now worried about 6. It is currently at 258 cycles and is rated as GOOD to PERFECT. Will it suffer the same fate as the 5? So, in other words, can I expect only another 200 cycles before the battery goes bad? Or does the 6 have a stronger battery than the 5? If so, how much stronger?

4. Recently, due to my (sad) hobby of Pokemon Go, I have now begun charging my 6 about twice a day. Should I slow down a bit? I should mention that I'm getting rid of the 6 in about 7 months and moving onto the iPhone 7 (in late March-early April) so do you think I can charge my phone twice a day until April 2017 without battery failure?

If you need any more hardware info from me let me know.

iPhone 6, iOS 9.3.5, null

Posted on Sep 5, 2016 10:01 PM

Top-ranking reply

Jonathan UK

Level 10

163,895 points

Posted on Sep 6, 2016 6:21 AM

Apple states that the battery in iPhone is designed to retain up to 80% of its original capacity at 500 complete charge cycles.

(Note that this appears to be at odds with another statement that "Apple lithium-ion batteries are designed to hold at least 80% of their original capacity for a high number of charge cycles, which varies depending on the product").

It is not necessarily the case that any given battery will need to be replaced after 500 charge cycles.

Equally, an iPhone may benefit from battery service after far fewer than 500 charge cycles (for example, if capacity has been affected by use, charging or storage under extreme ambient temperatures).

If and when you become concerned about reduced performance, arrange for Apple to inspect your iPhone (perhaps via a Genius Bar appointment).

Depending on timing and usage, iPhone battery service might be covered under warranty, an AppleCare / AppleCare+ plan or consumer law.

Otherwise, Apple (either directly or via Apple Authorised Service Providers) offers a chargeable battery service.

More information:

http://www.apple.com/batteries/why-lithium-ion/

http://www.apple.com/batteries/maximizing-performance/

http://www.apple.com/batteries/service-and-recycling/

iPhone Service Pricing - Apple Support

View in context

18 replies

atlaspsp

Level 1

4 points

Jan 14, 2017 3:04 PM in response to Need_Answers_plz

my iphone 5s still good battery

Jan 14, 2017 3:30 PM in response to atlaspsp

atlaspsp wrote:

my iphone 5s still good battery

That's fortunate for you.

Feb 11, 2017 5:15 PM in response to -Luke

-Luke wrote:

I currently have over 1000 cycles on my iPhone 6 and it is working flawlessly, lol

Do you have a technical support issue that we, your fellow users, can help you resolve?

iPhone 5 v. iPhone 6 Battery Cycle Count - Questions