iPhone Battery

Apple has added a Battery Health section to some iPhone models in iOS 11.3. The performance management feature was created in response to Apple's CPU throttling controversy. The new section in the Settings app allows users to view their maximum battery capacity and disable the performance management feature.

All rechargeable batteries, including iPhone batteries, become less effective as they age. Older batteries have a lower charging capacity which can limit the amount of usage time between charges, and it can cause unexpected device shutdowns. The "performance management" tool throttles your CPU when peak battery performance can't be obtained by your device.

Now that Apple has reduced the cost of an iPhone battery replacement to $29, users may be wondering about the health of their power packs. After all, lithium-ion batteries like those found in the iPhone slowly lose capacity as they age. There is a simple way to see if the battery in your iPhone has reached the point where it could use replacement.

Apple is doing its best to pacify disgruntled iPhone owners after the performance throttling controversy revealed last week. The iPhone maker originally said it would begin offering $29 battery replacements to any iPhone owners whose qualifying device passed a diagnostic test. Now according to an internal memo obtained by iGen, Apple retail employees have been instructed to offer the reduced rate to any customers who request a replacement.

Apple promised to lower battery replacements from $79 to $29 after issuing an apology for slowing down older iPhone models. The iPhone maker originally said the start of the lower-priced battery replacements would begin in late January, but it has since removed that date from its website, and iPhone owners can take advantage of the reduced price starting today.

Facing criticism after last week's statement on CPU management, Apple has released an open letter about iPhone batteries on its website. Not only does the letter address technical aspects of battery performance, but it offers an apology and clarification of the issues.