This article explores why smartphone batteries tend to lose strength after two years, highlighting insights from experts and user experiences to illustrate how ageing, usage patterns, and device settings influence battery performance and the need for replacement, JUSTICE OKAMGBA writes
Smartphone users across the world share a common frustration: after about two years of steady use, the battery that once powered an entire day suddenly cannot seem to last beyond lunchtime. The gradual decline feels almost personal, especially when the device itself still works perfectly. But users agree on one thing: that the problem is not unusual. It is the natural life cycle of the modern smartphone battery.
To understand why this happens and what people can realistically do about it, The PUNCH gathered insights from engineers, technicians and experienced users on Quora, a social platform, who have dealt with the same issue. Their responses reveal a mix of science, everyday habits and common misconceptions that influence the life and performance of smartphone batteries.
The most widely accepted explanation begins with the nature of the lithium-ion batteries that power modern smartphones. These batteries are highly efficient but not immortal. Tech Support Engineer Bill Stein of Dell Technologies explained that most smartphone batteries are designed to last about two years under normal use, which conveniently aligns with the average period many users hold on to a device before upgrading. According to him, the combination of daily charging cycles and internal chemical ageing means the battery will inevitably lose performance over time. For many people, the easiest solution is to trade in or sell the device and get a new one.
Stein noted that users who prefer sticking with their devices longer may consider changing the battery instead. “For Android devices, many repair shops will sell you a new battery and install it for about $100,” he said. For some users, this option costs far less than buying a new phone, but others question whether the battery alone is the real problem.
Some users discover that the issue is not the battery but their usage habits. Phone user Fred White described a moment many iPhone and iPad owners can relate to: background apps silently draining battery life. “Simply closing what you’re doing does not stop the app from running in the background,” he said, recalling a time when his iPad drained quickly despite being relatively new. Apple support eventually guided him on how to completely shut down background apps.
He added, “To close the background apps, double-tap the fingerprint button, and the background apps will appear. Swipe each one up to remove it until all are gone. A side benefit is that the iPhone will be more responsive.” For users who rarely close their background apps, the constant activity can mimic the symptoms of a failing battery.
Other contributors suggest more technical diagnostic methods. Chris Chovanek recommended performing a battery health scan, explaining that fast drainage might be due to dead cells within the battery. “If it’s more than 10 per cent dead, it might be worth investing in one,” he said. Where the dead cells are minimal, Chovanek advised a battery flush, which involves fully discharging the phone, charging it uninterrupted to 100 per cent, and then wiping caches in recovery mode. To preserve battery health over time, he urged users to disable features like GPS, Bluetooth, Doze, Daydream, Wi-Fi scanning, and long screen-timeout settings.
But there are users whose phones remain problematic despite reasonable battery health readings. Engineer Ferenc Valenta shared his experience with an iPhone that would shut down in cold weather even though the battery health measured above 90 per cent. “Yes, you should have your battery replaced,” he said in response to a question about battery health at 89 per cent. He explained that battery health percentages may reflect capacity but not reliability. Cold tolerance and stability can deteriorate earlier than expected.
Some experts say the device’s age is equally important. Quora user David Simpson noted that batteries older than four years often become “tired”, losing their ability to hold a charge even if the phone still functions well. He encouraged users to weigh the cost of a battery replacement against replacing the entire handset, especially since a new phone automatically comes with a fresh battery. “If the two costs are close, buy a new phone,” he advised. “If the difference is considerable, just replace the battery.”
Practical advice also came from graduates and technicians who frequently encounter these issues. Computer science graduate Emmanuel Ernest urged users first to identify the type of phone they use, as battery behaviour varies between brands. For Android phones, especially Samsung models, he recommended checking the battery health and using battery saver tools. iPhone users, he said, should explore online tutorials for battery-saving tips. If all attempts fail, he advised visiting a trained technician for a professional assessment.
Similarly, tech user Henry Jeynes pointed to high CPU usage as a common cause of battery drain. He recommended checking the battery menu in the phone settings to see which apps consume the most energy.
Simple habits, such as turning off Bluetooth when not in use, he said, can extend battery life significantly.
Others shared their experience with iPhone battery health thresholds. Tech enthusiast Nick Maag observed that iPhone batteries typically start showing significant performance issues around 80 per cent or 81 per cent capacity. He noted that his mother’s phone, an older model, dropped to 76 per cent before showing signs of battery failure.
For iPhone users in particular, electrician Michael Hunt-Herts explained that Apple recommends replacing a battery once its maximum capacity dips below 80 per cent. But he added that practical experience matters as much as numbers. If a user is still satisfied with the runtime, replacement may not be immediately necessary. He warned, however, that replacing a battery outside Apple’s authorised channels may compromise the water resistance of the device. Cheaper batteries, he said, may also store less charge and have a shorter lifespan.
Another iPhone enthusiast, Chuck Rogers, stated, “Are you dissatisfied with the amount of time you can use your iPhone before you need to charge it? If yes, then you should replace it. If you are not dissatisfied, then there is no need.” He emphasised that delaying battery replacement does not damage the device.