Understanding iPhone 11 Battery Health: Is 86 After 8 Months Normal?

Many users may find it surprising that after only 8 months of use, their iPhone 11 battery health is 86, which is lower than expected. Typically, an iPhone battery should retain around 90% or more of its original capacity after this period, assuming normal usage.

Factors Affecting Battery Health

Several factors contribute to the decline in battery health:

Charging Habits

Using fast charging or leaving your phone plugged in overnight can impact battery longevity. It is advisable to avoid these practices whenever possible.

Temperature

Exposure to extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can degrade battery performance.

Usage Patterns

Heavy usage such as playing graphics-intensive games or using GPS for long periods can drain the battery faster.

Background Apps

Apps running in the background can contribute to battery drain.

When to Be Concerned

A good metric to consider is that your iPhone should retain 80% or more of its capacity at two years. However, a battery that drops below 80% may not perform well. In many cases, a drop to 86 after only 6 months could be concerning, especially if the battery started at 100 and was close to 100 when the display was first activated.

The time to worry about battery health is when the device starts misbehaving. Symptoms may include faster battery depletion, increased charging times, or reduced performance.

What You Can Do

Here are some tips to maintain your iPhone 11 battery health:

Avoid fast charging and unplugging your phone immediately after it reaches 100%. Aim to keep your battery level between 20-80%. Unplug your phone once it is fully charged to extend battery life. Try to minimize heavy usage of battery-draining features like GPS, location services, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth when not in use.

What to Do Next

If you are concerned about your iPhone 11 battery health, consider reaching out to Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store for a battery check. They can provide insights and options, including potential battery replacement if necessary.

Conclusion: A battery health of 86 after 8 months is generally not ideal, but it's crucial to take a comprehensive view of other factors like usage patterns and temperature before panicking. Regular maintenance and careful usage habits can significantly extend battery life.