Is your smartphone’s battery running out faster than it used to back when you first unboxed it? Batteries — including rechargeable ones like those used in smartphones — chemically age over time.
Why is my phone’s battery draining so fast?
QUICK ANSWERThe easiest way to replace your smartphone battery is to visit the brand’s nearest service center or mail in your device. Expect to pay less than $100 all-in, cheaper than a brand-new smartphone. iFixit if you want to save a buck.
How to tell if your cellphone battery needs a replacementMost smartphone manufacturers aim to design batteries that retain at least 80 to 85% of their original capacity after two years. However, your phone’s battery can degrade faster than that. Fast charging and prolonged exposure to heat are just some of the many factors that could What’s worse — it’s often difficult to estimate how much your smartphone’s battery has deteriorated.A telltale sign of reduced battery capacity is if your phone exhibits symptoms like random reboots or sudden shutdowns at 30 or even 50 percent charge.
If your smartphone’s battery isn’t lasting as long as it once did, consider using an app like AccuBattery to estimate its current health. The app runs in the background, collecting discharge and charge data over multiple days, and estimates your battery health. While admittedly not perfect, it can still offer a decent estimate and help signal whether or not your phone needs a new battery .Random shutdowns or reboots are a clear sign that your smartphone needs a new battery.If your phone is nearing three years of continuous use, a new battery will almost certainly offer at least some improvement to its day-to-day longevity. lithium-ion batteries start to experience performance loss after a few hundred charge cycles.
If you’re using an iPhone, there’s an easy way to check your battery’s current capacity. Open the Settings app, navigate to Battery > Battery Health, and check the Maximum capacity section. Apple advises that you should consider replacing your battery once its health falls below 80% of its original capacity — or approximately 500 charge cycles.Replace your phone’s battery at a service centeriPhone 13 Pro taking a phone callThe easiest way to replace your smartphone’s battery is to have an authorized service center swap the battery.
This is because most manufacturers use adhesive to secure the back and front panels of your phone, which are usually made out of delicate glass.While this adhesive helps with improving your phone’s water resistance, it also often makes repairs more difficult and labor-intensive.Modern smartphones use plenty of adhesive for water resistance, which restricts easy access to the battery and other internal components.Approaching your device’s manufacturer virtually guarantees that you will receive a genuine battery. While an unofficial battery may work well initially, it’s impossible to know whether or not it will survive as long as an official one.
Authorized repair providers also typically replace the adhesive holding down the screen or back cover to ensure that your smartphone retains its original water resistance.In the US and Canada, Samsung and Google have partnered with uBreakiFix to process out-of-warranty cellphone repairs (including screen and battery replacements).
Both companies also provide first-party walk-in and mail-in service options — the former is preferable since you don’t have to wait for shipping. Google, Motorola, OnePlus, Sony, Nokia, and Apple also have dedicated support pages to help you find a nearby service center in your region. While service options often vary by country, remember that manufacturers are legally required to offer repairs in most regions.Do it yourself: How to replace your phone’s
batterySamsung Galaxy S22 and S22 Ultra battery and internalsFor the past few years, brands didn’t offer you the ability to buy original spare parts and perform self-repairs. That has started to change of late, with manufacturers like Google, Samsung, and Apple pledging to sell replacement parts to users.The process to replace a smartphone battery is pretty straightforward, though.
In most cases, you’ll have to apply a bit of heat soften to the adhesive and lift the phone’s back cover. install the new one in its place. As mentioned previously, you should also try sourcing a replacement adhesive to ensure the device retains its water resistance.While this process isn’t exactly complicated, it does require a bit of patience and even skill. meant for smartphone repair (like this kit from iFixit) and avoid prying out the battery usinThe process to replace a smartphone battery is pretty straightforward, though.
In most cases, you’ll have to apply a bit of heat soften to the adhesive and lift the phone’s back cover. install the new one in its place. As mentioned previously, you should also try sourcing a replacement adhesive to ensure the device retains its water resistance.While this process isn’t exactly complicated, it does require a bit of patience and even skill. meant for smartphone repair (like this kit from iFixit) and avoid prying out the battery using sharp objects.