Short answer
85% or higher is good battery health on a used iPhone, and 90% or more is close to new. 80% is the line to watch: Apple designs iPhone batteries to keep 80% of their original capacity after 500 full charge cycles (1,000 on iPhone 15 models), so below 80% the battery counts as worn.
What each battery health means
| Battery health | What to expect | How we sell it |
|---|---|---|
| 90% or more | Close to a new phone. Most people never think about the battery. | Premium (if Excellent condition), or any grade with the 90%+ band |
| 85–90% | A bit less at the end of a long day. Good for most people. | Shown as 85-90% on the listing |
| 80–85% | A top-up later in the day if you use the phone hard. Still healthy. | Shown as 80-85% on the listing |
| Below 80% | Worn. Plan to charge more often, or replace the battery. | Only on listings that say so, for example "Excellent, battery under 80%" |
Is 85% battery health good?
Yes. At 85% the battery holds 85% of the charge it held when new. Most people still get through a normal day; heavy users may want a top-up in the evening. It's well above the 80% line where a battery counts as worn, and phones at 85-90% usually cost less than 90%+. Today 19% of the iPhones we have are in the 85-90% band.
Battery health of the iPhones we have today
Share of the 958 iPhones in stock with a battery reading, by band. Updated every night.
How much is a better battery worth?
Same phone, same grade, different battery. Today's prices for an iPhone 16 Pro Max 256 GB in Good condition:
| Battery | 90%+ | 85-90% | 80-85% |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 Pro Max 256 GB | $705 | $685 | $665 |
If the gap to the higher band is small, take it. If it's large, the lower band is still a healthy battery. See every iPhone 16 Pro Max
How to check battery health on an iPhone
- Open Settings, tap Battery, then Battery Health. Maximum Capacity is the battery health percentage.
- If it says your battery's health is significantly degraded, the battery is due for replacement.
- On iPhone 15 and newer, Settings > General > About also shows the battery's cycle count.
- On recent iPhones, Settings > General > About > Parts and Service History shows whether the battery has been replaced and if the part is genuine.
How battery health relates to our grades
Grades describe how the phone looks; battery health is separate and shown on every listing. Premium means Excellent condition and battery health of 90% or more. Excellent, Good and Fair phones show their own band (90%+, 85-90% or 80-85%), and a phone below 80% says so in its name. You choose the band, and the price moves with it.
Every phone passes a 32-point test, is unlocked, shows its battery health before you buy, and comes with a 12-month warranty, 30-day returns and free US shipping.
Common questions
What battery health is good on a used iPhone?
85% or higher is good, and 90% or more is close to new. Below 80% the battery counts as worn.
Is 80% battery health bad?
It's the line where a battery counts as worn. Apple designs iPhone batteries to keep 80% of their original capacity after 500 full charge cycles (1,000 on iPhone 15 models). The phone works fine, but it won't last as long on a charge as it did new.
Is 85% battery health good?
Yes. Most people get through a normal day at 85%. Heavy users may want a top-up in the evening.
What does 90% battery health mean?
The battery holds 90% of the charge it held when new. That's close to new, and most people won't notice the difference.
How do I check battery health on an iPhone?
Open Settings, tap Battery, then Battery Health. Maximum Capacity is the battery health percentage.
What battery health do your phones have?
It's shown on every listing before you buy. Of the iPhones we have today with a reading, 76% are at 90% or more. Premium phones are always 90% or more.
Was the battery replaced?
Batteries are original; if a battery needed replacing during refurbishment, it was replaced with a genuine one.
How long will the battery last?
It depends on how you use it. A battery wears with charge cycles: one cycle is using 100% of its capacity, not necessarily in one charge. Apple designs iPhone batteries to keep 80% of their capacity after 500 cycles (1,000 on iPhone 15 models).
Does a refurbished iPhone's battery wear faster?
No. A battery wears with charge cycles and heat, whoever owns the phone. What matters is its health today, which is why we show it as a number.
Sources: Apple Support: iPhone battery and performance · Apple: charge cycles