Just after Apple released iOS 17 RC to developers and beta users last week, 9to5Mac discovered links to code for a new option to limit the maximum battery charge on the iPhone to better conserve it. Since some people already have the iPhone 15 in their hands, we now have confirmation that this feature exists on the new phones. In addition, they provide users with more detailed information about the battery status.
New iPhone 15 battery features
As tweeted by Ray Wong (now known as X), the iPhone 15 models have a section dedicated to more detailed battery health information. For example, users can check when a component was manufactured and when it was first used. There are also details about cycle counting (a cycle is counted every time the battery is recharged from 0 to 100%).
This information was already available on previous iPhone models. However, this required the use of some third-party tools such as CocoBattery on Mac. This information is now available in iOS, at least for iPhone 15.
iPhone 15 has another new battery feature: the ability to limit the charge to 80%.
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Tim's Best Comment
“a cycle is counted every time the battery is discharged and recharged from 0 to 100%”
This is not entirely true. One cycle equals 100% charge, not 0 to 100.
When you charge your iPhone from 30 to 80% (+50%) and then do the same the next day, that adds up then one cycle.
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9to5Mac first revealed this option last week, and now we know for sure that it's already available for those who buy the iPhone 15. Since charging a lithium-ion battery to 100% causes it to age faster, users could be sacrificing a few extra hours. daily battery life to ensure longer component life.
This feature works similar to “Optimized Battery Charging” which learns the user's daily routine and only finishes charging the battery after 80% in about the time the user turns off iPhone from charger. However, the new option will always limit the top-up to 80%.
I can confirm that the iPhone 15s now shows the number of battery charge cycles in Settings > General > About pic.twitter.com/G0bOsYYCx4
— Ray Wong (@raywongy) September 20, 2023
Enjoy pic.twitter.com/F79Gm38zy4
— Ray Wong (@raywongy) September 20, 2023
And older iPhones may not get them
Unfortunately, both new features for some reason limited to iPhone 15 models. It's unclear at this time whether Apple plans to add the same features to previous iPhone models with a future software update.
The iPhone 15 goes on sale this Friday, September 22. Apple says the new phones will arrive in 20 more countries next week.
- Here's how to check if your iPhone 15 pre-order has shipped.
- iPhone 15 is only available for eSIM in the US: Here's what you need to know
- These are iPhone models compatible with iOS 17.
