iPhone 3GS: Can it be fixed with a new battery?

[ecolumbine]

Hi

I have a very old iphone 3GS - I think maybe 6 years old and now it is quite clearly dying a slow death. I cannot use it for calls as it crashes immediately after, the battery life is totally unreliable - it will die when it says it has 50% or more, or, when I've charged it, the battery will drop to a low number very quickly, and it always crashes when I use apps. Basically, it's useless.
My question is, could it be salvaged with a new battery or, after 6 years, if the actual computer hardware going to be coming to the end of it's life? Is it time just to get anew phone?

Thanks

 

[Bear]

I think at this point getting a new phone might be a good idea. You're running in to app issues due to iOS and hardware limitations on your phone.

A battery replacement is $79+tax. Out of warranty service is $149+tax. How much is a new phone going to cost you under contract?

 

[BrianBaughn]

Don't know if the battery is actually the issue, but you can find batteries for a lot less than $79 on Ebay. That, a $5 repair kit, and the 16-step repair guide at iFixit might be worth a shot.

 

[jav6454]

Hi
I have a very old iphone 3GS - I think maybe 6 years old and now it is quite clearly dying a slow death. I cannot use it for calls as it crashes immediately after, the battery life is totally unreliable - it will die when it says it has 50% or more, or, when I've charged it, the battery will drop to a low number very quickly, and it always crashes when I use apps. Basically, it's useless.

Thanks

You can try to get a new battery for it; however, I think you also need to restore to a state without a backup. Should clear any software bugs out.

 

[ecolumbine]

Thanks for your help.

My phone is out of contract so no extra costs there. How should I restore it? Is there a way to totally reset it?

Thanks

 

[CrimsonKnight]

Thanks for your help.



My phone is out of contract so no extra costs there. How should I restore it? Is there a way to totally reset it?



Thanks

Connect your phone to iTunes on your computer and select restore. Make sure to do a backup first.