Apple claims the iPhone 15’s battery life is twice the original estimation

Apple has doubled its previous longevity estimate for the iPhone 15’s battery. The tech giant now claims that its latest iPhones can maintain 80 percent of their original battery capacity after 1,000 charging cycles, compared to its previous statement of 500 cycles. This change was announced without the introduction of any new hardware or software upgrades.

The new specification brings the company in line with forthcoming EU regulations that will assess an energy grading for the lifespan of phone batteries. The doubling of the battery’s lifespan was attributed to the continuous improvements made to battery components and the power management of iOS. The original estimate of a battery retaining 80 percent capacity after 500 cycles remains for iPhones released before 2023.

However, Apple is currently investigating if these older models’ estimates also need to be revised.

As of June 2025, smartphone and tablet manufacturers operating within the EU will be given a grade (A to G), reflecting their devices’ energy efficiency, battery life, dust and water protection, and resistance to accidental falls. The battery life component of this grade mandates that a device should maintain a minimum of 80 percent of its original capacity after 800 charging cycles – an explanation for Apple’s recent retesting of its devices.

Apple has provided recommendations for optimum battery life, including keeping phones within a 62 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit temperature range where possible, avoiding charging or storing handsets in hot environments or under direct sunlight, and maintaining a charge of around 50 percent for long-term storage of old iPhones.

Another change announced by Apple involves a move in the position of a key battery metric within iOS settings. The battery cycle count will be shifted from Settings > General > About, to the Battery Health area under Settings > Battery, starting with iOS 17.4, which is presently in beta testing. This feature was first introduced in iOS 17, released last autumn.