Understanding iPhone Battery Health: When 97 Is Normal

Have you noticed that your iPhone battery health is listed as 97? If you're new to the device, you might be wondering if you should be concerned. In this article, we will explore the normality of such a battery health reading, how batteries degrade over time, and tips for extending your iPhone's battery life.

What Does a Battery Health of 97 Mean?

A battery health percentage of 97 on a new iPhone is generally not a cause for concern. New devices typically start at 100, and a slight drop to 97 is normal due to variations in manufacturing and calibration. According to Apple, a battery is considered healthy as long as it retains 80 or more of its original capacity after 500 charge cycles.

In the context of a brand new iPhone, a battery health of 97 is perfectly acceptable. It is important to understand that your battery will naturally degrade over time, and a small decrease is considered expected and normal.

Battery Health of a Used iPhone

For an iPhone that has been in use for some time, such as an iPhone 14 that has been running for six months, a battery health of 97 is still considered very good. You do not need to be overly concerned about it. Batteries degrade naturally with time and usage, and a small decrease is a normal part of the process.

As a point of reference, a three-year-old iPhone 8 may only show a battery health of 90. In most cases, you don't need to think about battery replacement until the health drops to 80 or below. Therefore, a battery health of 97 is nothing to worry about for a new device.

Improving Your Phone Habits

While a battery health of 97 is normal, it doesn't mean your battery degradation process will stop here. To ensure that your battery life remains as strong as possible for as long as possible, you can adopt a few habits to help your battery perform optimally.

Reduce Screen Brightness: Lowering your screen brightness can significantly reduce the drain on your battery. Set it to a comfortable level for you and you may notice a difference in battery life. Avoid Charging Your Phone to 100%: Overcharging can cause more wear on the battery. Technically, many modern phones are designed to prevent this, but it's still a good practice. Manage App Usage: Close apps that you're not using or using in the background. Over time, these can drain your battery faster than necessary. Disable Unnecessary Features: Limit the use of features that consume a lot of power, such as location services, Bluetooth, and 5G. Charge Your Phone Strategically: Charge it when it gets to around 20%, rather than waiting until it is completely drained, to maintain its overall health.

Addressing Common Concerns

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about iPhone battery health:

Q: My iPhone 13 Pro Came in Dead Out of the Box

This is unusual and can mean that you did not purchase it from Apple or an official Apple certified retailer. It's worth investigating further to ensure you have a genuine product.

Q: After Charging, My Battery Health is at 99

This is a misleading figure and does not accurately represent the battery's health. It's important to understand that batteries start degrading the moment they are built, even when not in use.

Q: Should I Be Worried?

No one can tell you to worry, but if you're concerned, you can always return it and get a refund. Alternatively, you can buy a new unit directly from Apple, which is the best option as it comes with a new warranty and is sold at a discounted price.

Conclusion

A battery health of 97 on a new iPhone is normal and should not be a cause for concern. Understanding that batteries degrade naturally and adopting good phone habits can help you maintain your device's longevity. By being mindful of energy consumption and following best practices, you can significantly extend the life of your iPhone's battery.