How to Check iPhone Battery Health
— and What It Means for Resale
Battery health is one of the first things a buyer or trade-in shop checks when you bring in an iPhone. Here's exactly how to find it, what the numbers mean, and how much it actually affects what you'll be paid.
How to Check Battery Health on Your iPhone
- Open Settings
- Tap Battery
- Tap Battery Health & Charging
- Look at the Maximum Capacity percentage
That percentage tells you how much charge your battery can hold compared to when it was new. 100% = brand new. 80% = it holds 80% of original capacity.
💡 Note: On iPhone 15 and newer, Apple changed the Battery Health display. It now shows a cycle count and a health recommendation rather than a simple percentage. If you have an iPhone 15+, the key indicator is whether Apple says "Battery health is normal" or flags a service recommendation.
Battery Health and Resale Value — The Real Numbers
| Battery Health | Resale Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 100% – 90% | No deduction | Full price — buyer has no concern |
| 89% – 85% | –$10 to –$20 | Minor — most buyers still comfortable |
| 84% – 80% | –$20 to –$40 | Noticeable; "Fair" condition threshold |
| 79% – 75% | –$40 to –$70 | Battery replacement often expected |
| Below 75% | –$70 to –$120+ | Significant deduction; may need battery before sale |
Should You Replace the Battery Before Selling?
It depends on the model and current health:
- iPhone 14 or older at <80% health: A $49–$79 battery replacement (third-party) can recover $40–$80 in resale value. Usually worth it on higher-value models.
- iPhone 15 Pro or newer: These phones are worth more, and a new battery can recover more than it costs. Apple charges $99 for official replacement.
- iPhone 11 or 12 at <75%: Replacement cost often matches or exceeds the recovery — sell as-is and let the buyer decide.
What TechITAZ Checks (Beyond Battery)
When you bring in a phone, our inspection covers:
- Screen condition (cracks, burn-in, dead pixels)
- Back glass and frame
- Battery health (we run our own diagnostic)
- Face ID / Touch ID function
- Camera and flash
- Speaker and microphone
- Charging port
- iCloud/activation lock status
Battery health is one factor — not the only one. A phone with 78% battery but a perfect screen in great cosmetic shape still gets a solid offer.
Bring It In — We'll Tell You Exactly What It's Worth
Free inspection, honest offer, same-day cash. Walk-ins welcome in Avondale, AZ.
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