You know, phones are like our everyday companions. But, have you ever felt like their performance has been… off lately? Well, the culprit is often the battery! I’ve gone through a lot of phones and tried various batteries, from the original ones to aftermarket. So, I want to share with you 5 clear signs that your phone’s battery is ‘tired’ and needs to be replaced. Don’t wait until it dies completely before panicking; it’ll be a waste of money!
- Battery Drains Quickly (Very Thirsty!)
This is the most classic sign and the easiest one for you to experience. It used to last all day, but now it’s already dying by lunchtime. I experienced this on my iPhone 12 Pro Max; from a full charge in the morning, after just scrolling through TikTok for a bit, it was already at 70%, even though I used it the same way. This clearly shows that the maximum battery capacity has drastically decreased. On iOS, you can check in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. On Android, there are usually third-party apps or you can access a hidden diagnostic menu that only tech-savvy people like us know! Or, to put it simply, if it’s below 80% *maximum capacity*, it’s time to start thinking about replacing it.
- Suddenly Dies Even Though It’s Still “Full”? (Ghost Battery!)
Now, this is frustrating! You’re enjoying a game, the battery indicator is still at 20%, and then boom, it dies! This isn’t your phone being possessed, guys. This is called a *sudden shutdown*. A battery that’s no longer healthy has a hard time providing stable power, especially when the phone needs a power burst for gaming or opening heavy applications. Its internal resistance is already very high. I experienced this while editing a short video on my Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra; the battery was still at 30% and then suddenly it died completely. When I turned it back on, it was at 0%. This is a sign the battery is no longer trustworthy!
- Phone Slows Down Like a Snail? (Drastic Performance Drop!)
Who here feels like their phone is getting slower as it gets older? It’s not just because of the heavier software, but the battery can also be a major cause! Some OS, especially iOS (remember Apple’s ‘batterygate’ case?), have a *performance throttling* feature. So, if the battery is bad, the OS intentionally lowers the processor speed so the phone doesn’t suddenly die or crash. Its function is good so it doesn’t die suddenly, but the impact is that it becomes very slow. Try checking your battery settings; there’s usually a notification if the performance has been limited. I experienced this on my old iPhone X; when I changed the battery, it felt like I had a new phone again!
- The Back of the Phone is Bulging (This is a Serious Danger!)
WARNING! WARNING! This is not just a sign; it’s a danger alarm! If you see the back of your phone lifting up a bit or there’s a gap, that means your battery is *swollen*. The internal cells of the battery are damaged and producing gas, making the battery bulge. This is NO joke! I’ve seen my friend’s phone with the screen lifting up because of a swollen battery, and it *can explode or catch fire*! Immediately, I repeat, IMMEDIATELY replace the battery. Don’t try to press it down or keep using it. This is an emergency situation, guys!
- Unusually Hot While Charging (Watch Out for Short Circuits!)
Normally, a phone is slightly warm when charging, especially with fast charging. But if the heat is like an iron or makes your hand uncomfortable, that’s a huge red flag. Excessive heat can be a sign of an internal problem in the battery, either the resistance is too high or there’s a small short circuit. I once used a cheap charger, and my Xiaomi 14 Pro became unbearably hot. I immediately unplugged it and used the original charger. Avoid using non-standard chargers and cables, because they can accelerate battery damage and trigger abnormal heat.
So, When Should You Replace Your Phone Battery?
In essence, the battery is like the heart of our phone. If it’s not healthy, the overall performance will definitely be affected. Don’t wait until it dies completely before panicking, because it can cause other problems and even permanent damage. So, if you’ve experienced one or more of the signs above, it’s best to immediately find the nearest service center or a trusted store to replace the battery. Believe me, the investment in replacing the battery is much cheaper than buying a new phone, right? So your phone can stay fast and not act up again! Boogeng signs off first, happy trying!
