Apple will modify how battery information is shown on the iPhone 15 series as part of the upcoming iOS 17.4 update, replacing the Battery Health & Charging menu with a larger Battery Health menu and more thorough sub-menu.
The new Battery Health menu replaces the battery’s maximum capacity percentage with the state of your battery, which is classified as “normal” if it is performing properly. The new menu replaces the battery’s maximum capacity percentage with a battery status report, with the power pack classified as ‘normal’ if the battery is performing properly.
Users will also be able to see a thorough breakdown of the number of charging cycles accomplished, which Apple now claims is double what it was when the iPhone 15 series released. Other useful information, such as the battery’s production date and date of first use, is also included; previously, these details were hidden under the About page of Settings.
Apple has also conducted additional testing on the iPhone 15 series, and the company now says that their batteries will keep 80% of their maximum capacity (or higher) after 1,000 charge cycles, up from 500 at launch. Older iPhones are still said to hold around 80% charge after 500 cycles.
As previously stated, the new function will initially only be available on the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max; however, Apple is evaluating certain older models, so the cited charge cycle amount may increase on other iPhones in the future.
The iPhone 15’s existing charging optimization options appear to be the same, and they should continue to help preserve the battery’s health over time by learning user usage behaviors and capping charging after 80% (if enabled), lowering the amount of time the battery spends at a higher charge.
This welcome update is currently in beta, and while the exact full release date for iOS 17.4 has yet to be confirmed by Apple, it will be in March of this year to comply with new European Union regulations as part of the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
iOS 17.4 is rumored to bring a slew of additional new features, such as improvements to Stolen Device Protection and new emojis, affecting a broader range of iPhones.
While phone chipsets are becoming more energy efficient, Apple and other phone manufacturers can only do so much to increase battery life and performance, as all batteries degrade with time and use.
The lifespan of a phone’s battery is determined by a variety of factors, including whether certain settings are activated or disabled. Optimised Battery Charging can help extend the lifespan of the battery, but if it stops working properly, it may need to be replaced by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
