Resolved I’ll eventually have to replace my battery....

[a-m-k]

I have a 6s that I bought on January 15, 2016. I eventually have to replace the battery When I do, assuming there is no problem, would it be better to upgrade my phone to whatever the current iPhone model will be at the time?

I still have my original battery, but the battery capacity is currently 74%. I also never had something replaced

 

[jimmy_uk]

Well it's much cheaper to replace your battery of course. If your still happy with it and don't feel the need to upgrade then don't. I've personally had my battery changed twice on my 7 plus, but three and a half years of ownership and I'm wanting to upgrade for something new and shiny!
Ideally you don't want to dip below 80% battery health as it will impact performance.

But if you fancy a change and would like something faster and more future proof then upgrading when the 12 series comes out in September/October would be a good thing as it's an iPhone redesign year. Also the 11 series will drop in price so if your price conscious you could pick up a good deal.

Or maybe if you like the 6s form factor the new SE 2020 is a good buy right now. You'll likely get 4-5years of iOS support. You might get iOS 14 on the 6s but that will be the last update I think.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Your the only one that can decide if you want to upgrade... If your phone does everything you want, get Apple to replace the battery and continue using it. 74% capacity should be limiting the performance of the phone already, replacing the battery should get it back to normal

 

[now i see it]

$79 new battery or $399 new phone. It's up to you.

 

[steelhauler34]

Was only 50 bucks at the Apple store for my 7+

 

[johny328i]

Just a suggestion - get a Baseus 2200 mah battery for the 6s - it's legit and makes quite a difference! It will give a new life to your 6s.

Mine after 235 charging cycles is currently at 2000mah, which is still better than the genuine battery.

 

[a-m-k]

I was thinking of hanging on to until it turns into a doorstop like my first one. I’m taking as good care of it as I can. Is there anything I should watch for since it’s a bit older than my first iPhone? (Behavioreise)

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I was thinking of hanging on to until it turns into a doorstop like my first one. I’m taking as good care of it as I can. Is there anything I should watch for since it’s a bit older than my first iPhone? (Behavioreise)

Shut downs and overall lagging performance are clear signs.

 

[now i see it]

Although this advice is a bit too late... the battery can outlast the usable life of the phone if it's never (or almost never) charged to 100%.
I've used my 2014 iPhone 6 Plus every day, all day (for 6 years) and its battery health is still at 95% at 1458 load cycles. I never charge it to 100% and almost never have discharged it below 40%

 

[tonybarnaby]

$79 new battery or $399 new phone. It's up to you.

Apple charges $49 to replace a battery in an older phone like this
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Although this advice is a bit too late... the battery can outlast the usable life of the phone if it's never (or almost never) charged to 100%.
I've used my 2014 iPhone 6 Plus every day, all day (for 6 years) and its battery health is still at 95% at 1458 load cycles. I never charge it to 100% and almost never have discharged it below 40%

While this is all true, you have limited yourself to some degree in order to save $49-$79 over the course of a few years. Had you charged to 100% and done deep discharges, you would have most likely needed a new battery a few years ago. Was that worth saving a few bucks? Only you can answer that.

 

[Lucas284]

Although this advice is a bit too late... the battery can outlast the usable life of the phone if it's never (or almost never) charged to 100%.
I've used my 2014 iPhone 6 Plus every day, all day (for 6 years) and its battery health is still at 95% at 1458 load cycles. I never charge it to 100% and almost never have discharged it below 40%

Living the paranoid life I see

 

[a-m-k]

Shut downs and overall lagging performance are clear signs.

Sometimes it does shut down before it hits 1%. I also get a wheel with white lines a second or two before shut down.

 

[JPack]

Get a new battery for $49.

At 74%, you're way overdue for a battery replacement. If it shuts down before 1%, chances are, the performance has been throttled back. A new battery should let your iPhone run faster.

 

[a-m-k]

This is the space and available space on my phone....

 

[FeliApple]

Although this advice is a bit too late... the battery can outlast the usable life of the phone if it's never (or almost never) charged to 100%.
I've used my 2014 iPhone 6 Plus every day, all day (for 6 years) and its battery health is still at 95% at 1458 load cycles. I never charge it to 100% and almost never have discharged it below 40%

If I recall correctly, your iPhone 6 Plus is on iOS 9. There you have your answer. Do you think that an iPhone 6 Plus on iOS 12 can go 80-40% without being basically tethered to a charger? It can’t, unfortunately, thanks to Apple’s iOS updates. You’d go crazy with a 6+ with 1458 cycles on iOS 12, it would last two hours on 80-40%. As I said, you’d be tethered to a wall.

 

[a-m-k]

I have a 6S on iOS 13.4.1.

 

[russell_314]

You sound like you're happy with your phone. I'm guessing you're not one of those people who are on their phone all the time so for the occasional use it's perfect for you. I want to say go out and buy the new iPhone SE but unless you feel your phone isn't doing something that you want it to do then that's a hard to recommend purchase. Maybe you just want something that is more shiny? Also the newer versions like iPhone 8 and the new SE have glass backs so they are more fragile.

 

[steve1960]

I also have a 6s although the battery is fine at 87%. I usually make a decision based on whether or not Apple supports the hardware with the latest software. So the question is will the 6s be supported in this years iOS update? I think probably yes given Apple's usual practice of a major operating system update on alternate years. 2020 should be a tweak only? So if I were you I would have the battery replaced and then change the phone in Autumn 2021 when it is likely the 6s will no longer be supported.

 

[a-m-k]

I am pretty happy with my phone, and I do want to get as much life out of it as I can.

Yeah, there are two things I’d like to alter, but I can wait until I do upgrade.

 

[ftaok]

I have a 6s that I bought on January 15, 2016. I eventually have to replace the battery When I do, assuming there is no problem, would it be better to upgrade my phone to whatever the current iPhone model will be at the time?

I still have my original battery, but the battery capacity is currently 74%. I also never had something replaced

For $50, I would take it to an Apple Store (after the current crisis levels out) and have them swap it out with a genuine OEM battery.

If you still want a new phone and are price sensitive, you can't really beat the SE right now. A 128GB SE at $450 is a steal.

Even if you do buy a new phone, I'd swap the battery on the 6S and use that as a back-up device or as a dedicated iPod or iOS game device. Just pop out the SIM card.

Just a suggestion - get a Baseus 2200 mah battery for the 6s - it's legit and makes quite a difference! It will give a new life to your 6s.

Mine after 235 charging cycles is currently at 2000mah, which is still better than the genuine battery.

While this 3rd party battery may be good, changing the battery in a 6S requires a little more skill than most people have. The TouchID cable is a bit of a PITA to deal with when lifting the screen. Combining the cost of the battery and finding someone to do the swap for you might push someone without the necessary skills to just pay Apple the $50.

EDIT - it was just pointed out to me that I was mistaken about the touchID cable. It was on the 5s, not the 6s.

 

[johny328i]

It's a matter of 7 screws in total. 10 minute job at most.

 

[ftaok]

It's a matter of 7 screws in total. 10 minute job at most.

The 6s has a cable that ties the touchID button to the logic board. Someone not experienced with removing iPhone screens can easily damage that cable. Also, removing adhesive strips can be a PITA if they break.

I’m not saying that the OP would be unable to do this, but I tend to assume that forum posters asking for help are less experienced at this sort of thing. The last thing I’d want to happen is someone gets halfway into a repair job before realizing they’re in over their head.

EDIT - Johny, you’re right. I had the 5s in my mind. The 6s should be just as easy as the 6, which is pretty easy to work with

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

The 6s has a cable that ties the touchID button to the logic board. Someone not experienced with removing iPhone screens can easily damage that cable. Also, removing adhesive strips can be a PITA if they break.

I’m not saying that the OP would be unable to do this, but I tend to assume that forum posters asking for help are less experienced at this sort of thing. The last thing I’d want to happen is someone gets halfway into a repair job before realizing they’re in over their head.

Do you mean this cable?

 

[BugeyeSTI]

The 6s has a cable that ties the touchID button to the logic board. Someone not experienced with removing iPhone screens can easily damage that cable. Also, removing adhesive strips can be a PITA if they break.

I’m not saying that the OP would be unable to do this, but I tend to assume that forum posters asking for help are less experienced at this sort of thing. The last thing I’d want to happen is someone gets halfway into a repair job before realizing they’re in over their head.

All cables to remove the screen are located in the upper right corner on the 6S. They show no touchid cable connected to logic board(unless your saying it's one of 4 cables under the shield to be disconnected)?
This video shows Touch ID/home button connector as part of the display panel at 2:13

 

[ftaok]

Do you mean this cable?
View attachment 911243

you’re right. My recollection was faulty. It was the 5s that had the touchID cable that made screen removal trickier.

All cables to remove the screen are located in the upper right corner on the 6S. They show no touchid cable connected to logic board(unless your saying it's one of 4 cables under the shield to be disconnected)?
This video shows Touch ID/home button connector as part of the display panel at 2:13

Yeah. My mistake. I was thinking of the 5s