Other Battery capacity

[gsusser]

I'm considering buying a used phone. I need a phone with a battery that's going to last approximately 2 years. I am not a power user and don't stream much - I basically just use the camera, phone, text, and music. What capacity should I look for? I'm considering the iPhone 12, 12 mini and 13 mini. Do you think a new SE 2020 will last 2 years with light use?

 

[Apple_Robert]

13 mini and SE 2nd Gen have the same battery size with the 12 mini being the smallest. From what you said, the 13 mini would be fine if you like a smaller form factor. I can't comment on the regular 12 as I don't know the capacity.

 

[cbreze]

I have a 2020SE at 92% after almost 2 1/2 years. I also have an iPhone 7 still going on original battery at 82%, works fine. I’d say with lite use you’d probably be ok depending on what the battery starts you out with. Worse case scenario you get a new battery down the road but you also might be fine.

 

[JPack]

As long as you replace the battery, you'll be fine. Plenty of evidence has shown the battery capacity number in iOS is meaningless, so don't use that as an indicator when buying a used phone.

 

[gsusser]

I contacted Apple support to find out the battery cost. In the past, I paid $100 or something like that. That was a while ago and I was thinking it would be at least that amount now. However, per support the cost of the battery is $49 for either of the SEs, but that doesn't include labor. They were unable to tell me how much labor is, which seems strange. They implied it varies and I would have to contact a store.

Anyway, if it's in the $50 range, I won't be concerned about the battery capacity

 

[Andeddu]

Avoid the iPhone 12 series if you are looking for a long lasting battery. My 12 Mini’s battery degraded around 30% quicker than my 8’s. Most people on this board will report the shorter than usual lifespan of the 12’s batteries — Apple definitely cheaped out when it came to quality.

 

[DevinNj]

Avoid the iPhone 12 series if you are looking for a long lasting battery. My 12 Mini’s battery degraded around 30% quicker than my 8’s. Most people on this board will report the shorter than usual lifespan of the 12’s batteries — Apple definitely cheaped out when it came to quality.

My 12 Pro Max battery definitely degraded faster than any other iPhone I’ve ever had. I got mine in February 2020 and it’s now at 82%. This is with my exact same usage and charging patterns, and I am far from a “power user”. Previous iPhones I’ve had this long we’re still in the high 90’s. So yeah, something’s a little off to be that low after a year and a half.