When you’re ready to sell your iPhone, its physical condition, like the screen and casing, is easy to assess. But one of the most important factors determining its value is hidden inside: the battery. Knowing how to check the battery health of your iPhone before selling is crucial for getting a fair and accurate price. A healthy battery means better performance and a higher trade-in offer, while a degraded one can significantly lower its value.
At SELLIT9, we believe in a transparent and simple process. Providing your iPhone’s accurate battery health helps us give you the best possible instant quote, ensuring there are no surprises. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about your iPhone's battery, from checking its status to understanding what the numbers mean for your final payout.
iPhone battery health is a measurement of your battery's ability to hold a charge and deliver peak performance compared to when it was new. This is officially reported by Apple in your Settings as a percentage called Maximum Capacity. It is the single most important metric for understanding the lifespan and current condition of your iPhone’s battery, which directly impacts its trade-in value.
Every iPhone uses a lithium-ion battery, which chemically ages over time. This is a natural process that affects all rechargeable batteries. As a battery ages, its ability to hold a charge diminishes, resulting in shorter periods between charges and, in some cases, slower performance. When you sell your iPhone, buyers and trade-in services like SELLIT9 need to know the battery’s condition to determine a fair market price. A higher Maximum Capacity percentage reassures the next owner that the device will perform reliably, which is why it commands a higher value.
The Maximum Capacity percentage is a direct comparison of your battery's current capacity to its capacity when it was brand new. A new iPhone starts at 100%. Over years of use and hundreds of charge cycles, this number will gradually decline. For example, if your iPhone shows 88% Maximum Capacity, it means it can now hold 88% of the charge it could when it was first activated.
Apple considers any iPhone with a battery health of 80% or higher to be in optimal condition. Once the capacity drops below 80%, you may see a "Service" notification on the Battery Health screen, indicating that the battery is significantly degraded and a replacement is recommended for optimal performance.
A battery's health isn't just about how long your phone lasts; it's also about its ability to supply power when the phone needs it most, a metric known as Peak Performance Capability. An aging battery can struggle to deliver the necessary power during intensive tasks, such as gaming or recording 4K video.
To prevent the phone from unexpectedly shutting down during these power spikes, Apple’s iOS includes a performance management system. If your battery has degraded, this system may automatically slow down your iPhone's processor (a process known as "throttling") to protect its internal components. This is why an older iPhone with poor battery health might feel sluggish or slow. Checking your battery health before selling your phone gives you a complete picture of its current performance capabilities.
Checking your iPhone's battery health is a straightforward process built directly into iOS. To find your Maximum Capacity, navigate to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. This screen provides the key information you need to accurately report your device's condition.
This feature is available on the iPhone 6 and all later models running iOS 11.3 or newer. If you have an older device or operating system, this menu option may not be available.
Here is the exact process, broken down into three simple steps:
Once you're on the "Battery Health & Charging" screen, you'll see a few key pieces of information.
A good battery health percentage for selling an iPhone is generally considered to be 80% or higher. While any iPhone has value, a device with a battery capacity above this threshold will receive a significantly better trade-in offer because its battery can still support peak performance without issue.
When you're preparing to sell, this percentage is one of the most critical details you can provide. At Sellit9, we use it to calculate a fair, transparent, and instant offer. Here’s a general guide to how different battery health levels impact value:
Knowing this number before you sell empowers you to understand your phone's true worth. It eliminates the guesswork and protects you from the lowball offers common on peer-to-peer marketplaces.
The method for checking battery health is the same across all compatible iPhone models, but the rate at which a battery degrades can vary. Factors like the battery's original size, the efficiency of the phone's processor, and your personal usage habits all play a role. For instance, a newer model like an iPhone 14 may retain its battery health longer than an iPhone X used in the same way, thanks to a larger battery and more power-efficient components.
While the "Maximum Capacity" percentage is the primary metric used across all models, Apple introduced another useful data point for the iPhone 15 series: the battery cycle count. Whether you are selling an older iPhone or the latest model, Sellit9 provides an easy platform to trade in your device. We also accept a wide range of other items, so you can easily sell your MacBook or other electronics at the same time.
On iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max, you can see your battery's cycle count. To find it, go to Settings > General > About and scroll to the bottom. Under the "Battery" section, you will see the "Cycle Count" number.
A charge cycle is counted each time you use 100% of your battery's capacity. For example, if you use 60% of your battery one day, charge it to full overnight, and then use another 40% the next day, that adds up to one complete cycle. Apple designed the batteries in iPhone 15 models to retain up to 80% of their original capacity after 1,000 full charge cycles under ideal conditions. This is a significant improvement over older models, which were rated for 500 cycles.
The best way to get a great price for your iPhone in the future is to take care of its battery now. By adopting a few simple habits, you can slow down the chemical aging process and keep its Maximum Capacity higher for longer.
Now that you know how to check your iPhone's battery health and what it means, you have all the information you need to get the best possible price for your device. With SELLIT9, turning that knowledge into cash is fast, safe, and incredibly simple.
Our entire process is designed for your convenience and security, eliminating the frustrations of traditional selling methods.
STEP 1: Select your item and get a real-time quote
Visit our website and select your iPhone model. Accurately enter its details, including the Maximum Capacity percentage you just found, to receive an instant, guaranteed quote. We make it easy to sell other Apple devices as well.
STEP 2: Select one of our 3 collection methods
Choose the option that works best for you. We offer free same-day pickup in select cities, a network of convenient partner stores for local drop-off, or free & easy shipping with a prepaid label from anywhere in Canada. You can find a nearby drop-off location on our site.
STEP 3: Get paid as soon as the same day
As soon as we receive and verify your item's condition, we send your payment immediately via Interac e-Transfer. No waiting, no haggling, and no hassle—just fast cash for your old tech.
Ready to trade-in your iPhone? Get your quote now!
