iPhone 6(S)/Plus Should I Get Another New Battery?

[Buadhai]

I have an iPhone 6s that I bought in late 2015. By late 2017 I was getting horrible life from the battery so I jumped at the chance to get a replacement from Apple (1000 baht here in Thailand or about US$30) in early 2018.

By late 2018 the replacement battery was already performing quite poorly; so poorly that I started routinely putting the phone in Low Power Mode and carrying along a power bank if I was going to be away from a charger for any length of time.

Currently the iPhone 6s says that the battery is able to charge 90% of capacity and capable of Peak Performance.

However, Coconut battery says that the phone is only able to charge to 77.4% of design capacity. (Wow. Why so different?)

I have made huge efforts to reduce battery usage by limiting Background App Refresh to only those apps in which it is either essential or very important. I have also limited Locations Services in most apps to when the app is in use.

And, frankly, I don't use the phone that much. I have an iPad which I use for most of my reading, email, web surfing, etc. I don't make or receive telephone calls. I send a few Messages to my wife and daughter during the day. I take a few photos. I listen to music for a couple of hours per day. If I am away from WiFi I listen only to music already downloaded to the phone.

The other day I took my phone on a 65K bike ride. I was using the Apple Workout app on my Apple Watch to track the ride. (I know that this hands off Location Services duties to the phone.) I put the phone in Low Power mode. I only used it four times: Twice to let my wife know where I was. Once to check my location on Google Maps (no navigation) and once to look up the meaning of a Thai word. After three and a half hours my phone was down to 55%. I didn't use it again until later in the day by which time the battery was at 45% and still in Low Power Mode. I then used it to read a Kindle book while sitting by the pool. (Yeah, I had to turn the brightness up to see the screen in the bright sunlight.) In ten minutes the battery had gone from 45% to 25%. Still in Low Power Mode.

So, should I get another new battery or would that just be throwing good money after bad?

 

[JPack]

It's certainly worth getting a new battery. iOS is often optimistic about the battery capacity. And iOS doesn't display the rate of self-discharge or other battery health measurements.

 

[Buadhai]

I guess what's making me think twice is this post:

Extreme discrepancy between CoconutBattery and Settings -> Battery Health

I get nowhere near the battery life as the author of that post (@BigMcGuire)

 

[BigMcGuire]

I guess what's making me think twice is this post:

Extreme discrepancy between CoconutBattery and Settings -> Battery Health

I get nowhere near the battery life as the author of that post (@BigMcGuire)

I'm a pretty light user - don't game much. I also try to take care of my batteries to my best ability (not leaving them out in the sun, not letting them go below 40%, etc... My wife just uses her phone and her capacity is pretty close to mine after 2 years so I'm convinced one doesn't have to try too hard to get good longevity out of their iPhones.

Do note we have the + models (with the larger battery). Bigger battery = lasts a bit longer.

Definitely get a new battery if you aren't interested in buying a new phone. I'd recommend the 8+ if you do upgrade (or Xr).

We have always traded in our phones before the 2 year mark. So my comments only apply to 2 years of usage. If you're using a 6s, you're using a phone a lot longer than I have.

 

[TrickyTreeRed]

It sounds like your current battery is a bit of a dud. Might make sense to bite the bullet and get it replaced. Given it's out of warranty, you might be able to save some money by getting it replaced at a third party store.

Also, make sure you're running the latest iOS 12. I can normally get a day's life of normally battery use from my SE with iOS 12 - better then what I got from iOS 11.

 

[Buadhai]

I guess I find it disconcerting that a battery that's only 18 months old with less than 350 charge cycles would already need replacing. This would mean that I got two duds in a row from Apple. The original battery lasted less than two years and the replacement less than 18 months.

I'm also a very light user: no games, no FB, very little web surfing. Even in Low Power Mode it needs a recharge after half a day.

And, yes, I am always up to date on iOS.

(In fact, this phone was in the beta program up thru 12.3. I went back to regular releases when I thought that the beta software was causing the battery drain. I guess it wasn't.)

 

[BigMcGuire]

I guess I find it disconcerting that a battery that's only 18 months old with less than 350 charge cycles would already need replacing. This would mean that I got two duds in a row from Apple. The original battery lasted less than two years and the replacement less than 18 months.

I'm also a very light user: no games, no FB, very little web surfing. Even in Low Power Mode it needs a recharge after half a day.

And, yes, I am always up to date on iOS.

(In fact, this phone was in the beta program up thru 12.3. I went back to regular releases when I thought that the beta software was causing the battery drain. I guess it wasn't.)

My wife often has 350 cycles by the time we turn our phones in and her battery capacity is within a few % of design capacity. She's a super heavy user too, often running her phone to 0.

Are you using your phone in bright sunlight where it gets overheated? Heat is a huge detriment to battery longevity. Leaving the phone in your car during a sunny day is also the same thing.

350 cycles and capacity like that I would not be happy either. I would look more at usage - are you constantly running battery down to 0% before charging? Any sources of heat - you mentioned taking it on bike rides. I found using my phone on my bike resulted in it overheating during summer days especially if I left my phone on (Strava) - so I stopped doing that. Even in the back shirt pocket of my biking shirt, it got really warm.

That's all I can really think of.

I monitor my (and my wife's) mobile devices with coconutBattery (https://www.coconut-flavour.com/coconutbattery/) - so I know how our phones are doing throughout the life (and when I sell them back to Apple).

Only reason why I mention heat is because I see a lot of people I know destroying their phone batteries this way (leaving in car, leaving out in sun, not uncommon to see phones shut off because of overheating). This will kill battery life like crazy.

 

[Buadhai]

I never run the battery down to zero. I routinely put it on the charger when I get home. My cycling workouts are generally in the morning, so it's not that hot; generally in the low 30sC (80sF). I do a long ride once a week, but I'm home before 10 AM, so it just isn't that bad.

I also gave up on Strava as it seems to be a huge battery hog for both the Apple Watch and iPhone. Apple's Workout app is much kinder.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I never run the battery down to zero. I routinely put it on the charger when I get home. My cycling workouts are generally in the morning, so it's not that hot; generally in the low 30sC (80sF). I do a long ride once a week, but I'm home before 10 AM, so it just isn't that bad.

I also gave up on Strava as it seems to be a huge battery hog for both the Apple Watch and iPhone. Apple's Workout app is much kinder.

View attachment 837261

Agreed. Darn. Hmmm. Yeah, definitely biking in the morning like that should be ok.

Apple seems to indicate that 2 years or 500 cycles the battery should retain 80% capacity. I've definitely had a lot better luck than you in my 6+, 6s+, 8+, and now Xs Max - though I always get rid of my phones before the 2 year marker (or right at).

If you can do the + models, usually bigger battery = better longevity.

Do you have coconutBattery plus? Tools ---> iOS Battery Lifetime Analyzer?



And here is my coconutBattery on it:



I've been pretty lucky on my + models (except for 1) to have over design capacity.

 

[Buadhai]

No, I don't have CoconutBattery Plus. Probably a good idea.

Well, I guess I'll get another battery for the 6s. Maybe third time's the charm….

I hear you on the plus models having better battery life. It's just that they're so, well, big!

I plan to replace the 6s this Fall when the new models come out. Probably not available here in Thailand until November or so.

 

[BigMcGuire]

No, I don't have CoconutBattery Plus. Probably a good idea.

Well, I guess I'll get another battery for the 6s. Maybe third time's the charm….

I hear you on the plus models having better battery life. It's just that they're so, well, big!

I plan to replace the 6s this Fall when the new models come out. Probably not available here in Thailand until November or so.

Best of luck - really hope you get a good one this time (assuming the other two were duds). My 6s+ was fantastic. I got it 96% capacity from the factory, nearly 1.5 years later, it held at 96% capacity. I wish I had kept that phone.

When you get a battery replacement, post the coconutBattery screenshot!

 

[Buadhai]

When you get a battery replacement, post the coconutBattery screenshot!

I will. Should be interesting.

 

[maerz001]

Actually i had the same problem with apples replacement battery after 9months.
Fyi iphone7 battery with 14% more capacity fits in a 6s.
Thats what i did and works better than ever before.
Its just a hit and miss with 3rd party. Mine is called extremecells for 16€ and they had good reviews. Don’t know if available in thailand

 

[hungx]

I have another anecdotal story.

I originally bought my 6s Plus at launch. By around the end of 2017, I needed to charge my phone twice daily to last me the entire day. I then had the battery replaced under the $29 replacement program on 12/31/2017. The battery health was around 82% when it was replaced. Around September 2018, I upgraded to the 8 Plus. The battery health on the 6s Plus for the replacement battery was already around 83% at this time. The 6s Plus then became my mom’s phone. At the end of 2018, the battery health dropped down to 82%. I brought the phone in December 2018 to have the battery replaced again. To my surprise, they only charged me the $29 discounted cost.

 

[Buadhai]

My plan is to use a independent repair guy who has done good work for us in the past: screens, batteries, etc. I may ask him if he can put in a 7 battery. Not sure my Thai is up to it, though….

 

[Newtons Apple]

I guess I find it disconcerting that a battery that's only 18 months old with less than 350 charge cycles would already need replacing. This would mean that I got two duds in a row from Apple. The original battery lasted less than two years and the replacement less than 18 months.

I'm also a very light user: no games, no FB, very little web surfing. Even in Low Power Mode it needs a recharge after half a day.

And, yes, I am always up to date on iOS.

(In fact, this phone was in the beta program up thru 12.3. I went back to regular releases when I thought that the beta software was causing the battery drain. I guess it wasn't.)

Chances are slim but it could also be a hardware issue.

 

[Buadhai]

Chances are slim but it could also be a hardware issue.

That’s my fear. But how would I ever know?

 

[Newtons Apple]

That’s my fear. But how would I ever know?

Apple Store might be able to diagnose.

I had a iPhone 5 that the battery would only last half a day, even when it was new. I had the battery replaced after about 8 months and it made no difference and still would only last a half day.

You battery should last the average user all day long and more without turning things off.

Good Luck!

 

[Buadhai]

Well, I live in Northeast Thailand. Closest and only Apple store in the country is in Bangkok, about four hours by bus. I don’t even know if they have a Genius Bar.

There is a contract Apple service provider where I live, but they are very, very far from being Geniuses.

 

[maerz001]

Well honestly for a device without warranty worth about $150 just buy a battery with tool set online and do it by yourself.
Its super easy to do if u follow ifixit.com guidelines

 

[Buadhai]

Well honestly for a device without warranty worth about $150 just buy a battery with tool set online and do it by yourself.
Its super easy to do if u follow ifixit.com guidelines

I don't have the manual dexterity to attempt something like that. My wife calls me "Mr Clumsy". It's worth it to me to pay someone to do the task.

For reference sake; here's a 6s battery and toolkit I can buy here in Thailand. The cost is about $US18.00.

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/commy-iphone-6s-battery-1-commy-i261747144-s402877609.html

 

[JPack]

Actually i had the same problem with apples replacement battery after 9months.
Fyi iphone7 battery with 14% more capacity fits in a 6s.
Thats what i did and works better than ever before.
Its just a hit and miss with 3rd party. Mine is called extremecells for 16€ and they had good reviews. Don’t know if available in thailand

If that were true, Apple wouldn't need to stock two different parts. The 6s and 7 battery are quite different in terms of physical size and capacity.

Third party battery manufacturers try to save costs by having a 6s battery and labeling them 6 and 7. This reduces inventory and design costs. Often, the real/measured capacity of third party batteries is lower than advertised/programmed capacity.

 

[Buadhai]

This is kind of interesting. Coconut Battery on my iPhone the day after the 12.3 update and again the next morning.

Significant difference in Full Charge Capacity.

 

[maerz001]

If that were true, Apple wouldn't need to stock two different parts. The 6s and 7 battery are quite different in terms of physical size and capacity.

Third party battery manufacturers try to save costs by having a 6s battery and labeling them 6 and 7. This reduces inventory and design costs. Often, the real/measured capacity of third party batteries is lower than advertised/programmed capacity.

Generally speaking yes. But there are quite a few people on this forum including me who run a 7 battery in a 6s for months.
The only “problem” is a longer cable which has to be folded to fit.
But besides of that it works fine.

A used 6s financially wise is now at a point where some hacking is allowed, no?

Disclaimer: do at your own risk.
[doublepost=1558070826][/doublepost]

This is kind of interesting. Coconut Battery on my iPhone the day after the 12.3 update and again the next morning.

Significant difference in Full Charge Capacity.

View attachment 837437 View attachment 837438

Some fluctuation is normal. These are no super exact measurements

 

[Buadhai]

So, I got a new battery. On the right is the one they removed.

……….