Apple has announced a significant improvement in the battery life of its iPhone 15 series. In a recent statement, the company revealed that the new iPhones could retain up to 80% of their original charging capacity after 1000 charge cycles—double the previous estimate. This update is notably in line with upcoming European Union regulations that will assign "energy ratings" to phones, considering their battery life among other factors.
Previously, Apple's support documents indicated that iPhone batteries could maintain 80% of their capacity after 500 cycles. However, after re-evaluating the long-term battery health of the iPhone 15 series, Apple found that these devices could achieve the 80% threshold after at least 1000 cycles. The company credits this improvement to continuous enhancements in battery components and iOS power management, without any specific physical or software changes.
For iPhones produced before 2023, the 500 charge cycle estimate remains valid, though Apple is investigating whether these estimates need to be updated in light of the new findings.
In response to impending EU regulations requiring smartphones and tablets to maintain at least 80% of their original battery capacity after 800 charge cycles starting from June 2025, Apple's reassessment of its devices' battery health seems timely. The EU's new system will grade devices from A to G based on energy efficiency, battery life, dust and water resistance, and durability against accidental drops.
