For me, a long-time 'iPhone' user, it was only a matter of time before my once shiny new iPhone became a useless lump that had to be plugged into a wall outlet or wireless charger 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
It took about three years for my 'iPhone 14 Pro' to reach that point.
I got the 14 Pro in January 2023 and was very satisfied.
It felt fast and responsive, and the battery seemed to last for several days.
After using it for several years, I noticed that it only held a charge for a few hours, and once the battery level dropped below 60%, the depletion became significantly faster.
The once nimble smartphone now required me to carry a spare battery wherever I went, which became a major burden.
However, I only realized how serious the battery condition was when I wrote an article compiling tips about iPhone batteries.
When I checked using the feature to diagnose the iPhone's battery status, I found that the battery could only be charged to about 72%.
In other words, even when I thought it was fully charged, it was actually not able to charge to its original maximum capacity.
Due to a significantly degraded battery, carrying the iPhone had become a burden.
Therefore, I had planned to upgrade to the upcoming "iPhone 18" series, expected to be released in September, especially to improve battery performance.
However, it seems that won't be necessary.
This is because when I had my iPhone 14 Pro examined, Apple restored it to like-new condition.
Diagnosis
The iPhone's battery tells you when it has "reached the end of its life."
By navigating to "Settings" > "Battery" > "Battery Health & Charging," you can check the battery's condition and Apple's recommendations.
In my case, when I checked the 14 Pro's battery in April 2026, the screen displayed the following condition.
The iPhone indicated that the battery was significantly degraded and showed the steps for battery replacement.
At first, I brushed it off, but after a few weeks, I realized that this terrible battery was no longer practical, and if I didn't get it repaired before my planned trip to Italy in September, it would likely become quite troublesome.
Having been unsure whether to replace my iPhone within a year, I decided to pay to restore the battery to 100% condition.
Finally, in June, I decided to replace the battery, clicked on 'Find Repair Service Options,' and was able to make a reservation at a nearby Apple Store within a few days.
Apple provides an estimate for battery replacement costs based on the model of the iPhone and the warranty you have.
For my 14 Pro, the estimated cost was $99.
Inspection
On the day of the appointment, I visited the Apple Store, completed the check-in, and was instructed to wait a few minutes until my turn.
After that, I was asked to turn off Bluetooth and location services and log in with my Apple ID.
Apple staff ran several of their own diagnostic tests and confirmed that my battery was indeed in a non-functional state (which it was).
At the same time, they checked the condition of other parts.
A few minutes later, I was informed that my iPhone was in very good condition except for the battery, and that it could be replaced that same day.
I immediately dropped off my iPhone at the Apple Store and spent the next two hours shopping and running errands.
When replacing the battery, it is very important to have your Apple ID and password ready.
You also need to know your iPhone's passcode.
