iPads don't meet battery specifications. May you share your battery health and cycles?

[FeliApple]

Prompted by the recent thread asking about battery life issues for the iPad Pro 10.5, I am noticing a significant pattern with the newer iPads: They don't reach Apple's battery capacity specs (1000 cycles with 80% capacity remaining). Not only that, they're kilometers away. I have seen it since the Air 2 in hundreds of numbers shared around the entire forum.
I will start with my own iPad: it is an iPad Pro 9.7 running iOS 9. It has 91.2% capacity - as measured by Coconut Battery, yesterday - and it has 312 cycles. That is the same capacity my iPhone 6s shows... With 330 cycles. Battery life is great because it is on iOS 9, but that's not the point. Almost forgot: a family member's first-generation iPad Mini, 511 cycles, 81% capacity; iPad 4, 530 cycles, 77% capacity.
I will also offer another example with the iPhone: my iPhone 5c has 83% capacity... And 750 cycles. Exceeding Apple's specs. To conclude, I would like to say that I know that there are a lot of factors that can and do have an impact on battery health, but I have seen a pattern - what's more, I don't think I remember anyone saying that their iPad was with 500 cycles and had 90% capacity - and I would like to have some more results. Thanks everyone.

 

[tps3443]

I tried to search for coconut battery. I cannot find it on the App Store, which battery app shows your cycle history?

 

[FeliApple]

I tried to search for coconut battery. I cannot find it on the App Store, which battery app shows your cycle history?

It's a Mac app: https://www.coconut-flavour.com/coconutbattery/

 

[chrfr]

I've got an iPad Pro 10.5 and 9.7 here.
10.5: 57 cycles, battery is at 98.7%.
9.7 is at 177 cycles, 90.2%
It definitely doesn't seem like the 9.7 is going to be anywhere close to making 1000 cycles at 80%.

 

[BarrettF77]

You guys are posting off a tool Apple doesn't have and until you get to the 1000 cycle count or the 80% mark it's guesswork. Yes it looks like it may trend that way, but you can't say for sure.

I'm not defending apple because I don't think they are alway straight with their customers. But, I also know their rules are always somewhat flexible if you get the right manager in the right mood. They can and often do make exceptions to their policy for customer good will and service. If it's that bad, take it to the store or call and speak to their managers.

 

[FeliApple]

You guys are posting off a tool Apple doesn't have and until you get to the 1000 cycle count or the 80% mark it's guesswork. Yes it looks like it may trend that way, but you can't say for sure.

I'm not defending apple because I don't think they are alway straight with their customers. But, I also know their rules are always somewhat flexible if you get the right manager in the right mood. They can and often do make exceptions to their policy for customer good will and service. If it's that bad, take it to the store or call and speak to their managers.

I'm not criticising Apple in any way. I just wanted to know what other members were getting. Also: the iPad Mini and the iPad 4 I referenced are definitely not up to spec. The rest, I seriously doubt it. Yes, it can stay at 90% for 300 more cycles, but I doubt it. I just wanted to know - as I noticed this in a lot of cases - whether people saw the same degradation I did, to see if it was somewhat normal.
Also, I said that battery life is impeccable for me. Perfect. That iPad 4 I referenced? 14-15 hours of on-screen time. Amazing. With 77% capacity. I'm not complaining about it, and the real world implications of this reduced capacity are, for me - until now - nearly zero. I was just curious, because every single iPhone I have seen is up to spec.

 

[chabig]

Also: the iPad Mini and the iPad 4 I referenced are definitely not up to spec.

a family member's first-generation iPad Mini, 511 cycles, 81% capacity; iPad 4, 530 cycles, 77% capacity

You can't say those two iPads are not up to spec until they reach 1000 cycles. I'm sorry. That's the way it works. It's not a linear system, and those "measurements" are really just estimates. That's why you can't even draw a conclusion from the 77% iPad 4, let alone from the fact that it's six or seven years old. I'd say that a seven year old battery maintaining 77% of its original capacity is doing a darn good job.

 

[FeliApple]

You can't say those two iPads are not up to spec until they reach 1000 cycles. I'm sorry. That's the way it works. It's not a linear system, and those "measurements" are really just estimates. That's why you can't even draw a conclusion from the 77% iPad 4, let alone from the fact that it's six or seven years old. I'd say that a seven year old battery maintaining 77% of its original capacity is doing a darn good job.

I disagree, because they almost surely aren't up to spec. Yes, I can't say that the Mini isn't 100%, but I can say it with a large enough certainty. The iPad 4 is already out of spec. I know they aren't linear. I know they are estimates. I just say that the possibility of the Mini being up to spec is really low. I say the possibility of an iPad Pro at 90% with only 177 cycles being up to spec when it reaches 1000 is minimal.
Estimates or not, they are used everywhere here to take responsibility off of Apple of the awful impact of iOS updates on battery life. "It has 82% health, the battery is gone, that's why you get 4 hours on an iPhone 6s on iOS 12". Estimates or not, they are somewhat meaningful, because I have seen a small battery life drop when capacity decreases. I have seen an iPhone 5 with 950 cycles and capacity jumping between 38% and 50% with an absolutely pathetic battery life. They have some usefulness.

 

[Seamaster]

My iPad Air 2 battery is in bad shape. I didn't need an app to tell me that, I knew. Took it into the Apple Store intending to pay for a new battery, they checked it out and said it wasn't bad enough to justify taking my money for a replacement. I don't know what they used to come to that conclusion. I got home and hooked it up to Coconut and it's knackered.

Waiting on the new (March?) iPads and I'll trade this one in.

 

[FeliApple]

My iPad Air 2 battery is in bad shape. I didn't need an app to tell me that, I knew. Took it into the Apple Store intending to pay for a new battery, they checked it out and said it wasn't bad enough to justify taking my money for a replacement. I don't know what they used to come to that conclusion. I got home and hooked it up to Coconut and it's knackered.

Waiting on the new (March?) iPads and I'll trade this one in.

If you want, you can check your cycles and battery health to see if it's up to spec. If heavily used, an Air 2 might have 1000 cycles.

 

[BoneHead001]

I save on battery cycles and keeping my battery healthy by having my iPad mostly plugged in. The battery gets used to keep it healthy. I usually charge when it reaches 85%.

 

[ascender]

Battery life is great because it is on iOS 9, but that's not the point.

Sorry, but is that not exactly the point? I’ll be honest, I don’t really give battery health a second thought these days unless something is clearly wrong with it.

I remember times when there have been issues with Apple batteries and the battery health was a very important metric to look at, but things have moved on so much since then. The cycles thing is just an estimate right and I’ll be honest, I think we have a second gen iPad here which the kids use for videos and some apps and its battery still lasts longer than I could have imagined despite the 7+ years of use.

I’ve said it before, but there’s too much (mis?)information out there these days when it comes to technology and I often get the impression some people spend more time trying to find fault with their device than just actually using it and enjoying it.

 

[FeliApple]

Sorry, but is that not exactly the point? I’ll be honest, I don’t really give battery health a second thought these days unless something is clearly wrong with it.

I remember times when there have been issues with Apple batteries and the battery health was a very important metric to look at, but things have moved on so much since then. The cycles thing is just an estimate right and I’ll be honest, I think we have a second gen iPad here which the kids use for videos and some apps and its battery still lasts longer than I could have imagined despite the 7+ years of use.

I’ve said it before, but there’s too much (mis?)information out there these days when it comes to technology and I often get the impression some people spend more time trying to find fault with their device than just actually using it and enjoying it.

You are absolutely right. I am not worried or overthinking it, I'm just curious. Also, yes, battery life is what matters. I said it before, it was just curiosity, mainly because the iPhones are almost always up to spec.

 

[rui no onna]

Do note that 2 years is specified along with the 1000 cycles and 80%. Batteries also lose capacity as they age.

 

[FeliApple]

Do note that 2 years is specified along with the 1000 cycles and 80%. Batteries also lose capacity as they age.

Yes, but iPhones older than two years are within specs. A lot of them, I've seen. And it isn't that iPads are close to spec; or at least, close enough for me to say that the difference is due to age. They're too far from it. I don't know. Perhaps Apple's spec is wrong for the iPads. They get it right on Macs, though.

 

[Populus]

Do note that 2 years is specified along with the 1000 cycles and 80%. Batteries also lose capacity as they age.

It's the same for portable Macs: Who on Earth is able to make 800-1000 battery cycles to this devices? Not even using them every day.

So that condition of 80% within 1000 cycles is impossible to be met within the 2 first years.

 

[FeliApple]

I'm going to bump this thread. I'm interested in other results, to see if this is widespread or it happens to me only. If you may, please, share your iPad's - any iPad - battery health and cycles, that would be great.
I'm interested in this because iPhones exceed the two-year mark Apple has established, but they tend to be - in every single result I have seen, yes, every single one of them - above spec.
An iPhone 5c from 2013 with 805 cycles has 86% battery health, an iPhone 5s from 2015 with 750 cycles with 87% health. iPhones, regardless of their age, have a decent battery health compared to cycles.
I have seen an iPhone SE with 1200 cycles that had 88% health.
I haven't seen a single iPad (new or old) get anywhere near the 1000 cycles/80% health that Apple claims. Yes, older than two years, but iPhones - as I said - are also older than two years and they far surpass specs.
With that debate settled, again, if you could share some results, that would be great. Thanks!

 

[*~Kim~*]

At last checking, though there will be more cycles on it in the last week: 92 cycles, 96.3% health. iPad Mini 5 using iMazing, as I don’t have a Mac.

 

[aakshey]

I'm going to bump this thread. I'm interested in other results, to see if this is widespread or it happens to me only. If you may, please, share your iPad's - any iPad - battery health and cycles, that would be great.
I'm interested in this because iPhones exceed the two-year mark Apple has established, but they tend to be - in every single result I have seen, yes, every single one of them - above spec.
An iPhone 5c from 2013 with 805 cycles has 86% battery health, an iPhone 5s from 2015 with 750 cycles with 87% health. iPhones, regardless of their age, have a decent battery health compared to cycles.
I have seen an iPhone SE with 1200 cycles that had 88% health.
I haven't seen a single iPad (new or old) get anywhere near the 1000 cycles/80% health that Apple claims. Yes, older than two years, but iPhones - as I said - are also older than two years and they far surpass specs.
With that debate settled, again, if you could share some results, that would be great. Thanks!

There’s a flaw in your rationale.

You’re checking battery health for iPhones using Apple’s diagnostic. But for iPads you’re using Coconut.

As you fall below 95% in Apple’s diagnostic, especially for iPads, you’ll fall far far lower on Coconut.

For instance when Apple’s diagnostic showed 100% for my iPads, I was actually around 94%. As Apple’s figure went down to 98% I was more around 90%. Now I’m around 93% Acc to Apple but Acc to Coconut Battery my health is around 85%. And that too isn’t static. With lighter usage I am at around 90% but with medium heavy usage I’m around 80%. I’m currently around 250 cycles.

 

[FeliApple]

There’s a flaw in your rationale.

You’re checking battery health for iPhones using Apple’s diagnostic. But for iPads you’re using Coconut.

As you fall below 95% in Apple’s diagnostic, especially for iPads, you’ll fall far far lower on Coconut.

For instance when Apple’s diagnostic showed 100% for my iPads, I was actually around 94%. As Apple’s figure went down to 98% I was more around 90%. Now I’m around 93% Acc to Apple but Acc to Coconut Battery my health is around 85%. And that too isn’t static. With lighter usage I am at around 90% but with medium heavy usage I’m around 80%. I’m currently around 250 cycles.

I'm using coconut for iPhones as well.

 

[rui no onna]

Yes, but iPhones older than two years are within specs. A lot of them, I've seen. And it isn't that iPads are close to spec; or at least, close enough for me to say that the difference is due to age. They're too far from it. I don't know. Perhaps Apple's spec is wrong for the iPads. They get it right on Macs, though.

Not bothered by battery cycles. I still get way better battery life from my iPads with aged batteries than I've gotten from any of my iPhones even when the phones are brand new.

I'd easily take an iPad at 80% battery health than an iPhone at 90%.

Stats below are from iMazing for Windows.

iPhone 7 256GB AT&T (almost 3 years old)
Battery Current Charge: 1101 mAh (68.1%)
Battery Design Max. Charge: 1950 mAh
Battery Effective Max. Charge: 1616 mAh (82.9%)
Battery Charge Cycles: 362

iPad 4th gen 128GB VZW (6+ years old)
Battery Current Charge: 9921 mAh (95.9%)
Battery Design Max. Charge: 11560 mAh
Battery Effective Max. Charge: 10343 mAh (89.5%)
Battery Charge Cycles: 141

iPad Pro 9.7 256GB LTE (3+ years old)
Battery Current Charge: 6065 mAh (93.6%)
Battery Design Max. Charge: 7161 mAh
Battery Effective Max. Charge: 6481 mAh (90.5%)
Battery Charge Cycles: 340

iPad 5th gen 128GB LTE (2+ years old)
Battery Current Charge: 7276 mAh (87.5%)
Battery Design Max. Charge: 8557 mAh
Battery Effective Max. Charge: 8312 mAh (97.1%)
Battery Charge Cycles: 101

iPad Pro 10.5 512GB LTE (bought used)
Battery Current Charge: 6687 mAh (92.5%)
Battery Design Max. Charge: 7966 mAh
Battery Effective Max. Charge: 7231 mAh (90.8%)
Battery Charge Cycles: 176

 

[FeliApple]

Not bothered by battery cycles. I still get way better battery life from my iPads with aged batteries than I've gotten from any of my iPhones even when the phones are brand new.

I'd easily take an iPad at 80% battery health than an iPhone at 90%.

Stats below are from iMazing for Windows.

iPhone 7 256GB AT&T (almost 3 years old)
Battery Current Charge: 1101 mAh (68.1%)
Battery Design Max. Charge: 1950 mAh
Battery Effective Max. Charge: 1616 mAh (82.9%)
Battery Charge Cycles: 362

iPad 4th gen 128GB VZW (6+ years old)
Battery Current Charge: 9921 mAh (95.9%)
Battery Design Max. Charge: 11560 mAh
Battery Effective Max. Charge: 10343 mAh (89.5%)
Battery Charge Cycles: 141

iPad Pro 9.7 256GB LTE (3+ years old)
Battery Current Charge: 6065 mAh (93.6%)
Battery Design Max. Charge: 7161 mAh
Battery Effective Max. Charge: 6481 mAh (90.5%)
Battery Charge Cycles: 340

iPad 5th gen 128GB LTE (2+ years old)
Battery Current Charge: 7276 mAh (87.5%)
Battery Design Max. Charge: 8557 mAh
Battery Effective Max. Charge: 8312 mAh (97.1%)
Battery Charge Cycles: 101

iPad Pro 10.5 512GB LTE (bought used)
Battery Current Charge: 6687 mAh (92.5%)
Battery Design Max. Charge: 7966 mAh
Battery Effective Max. Charge: 7231 mAh (90.8%)
Battery Charge Cycles: 176

Thanks for the data. I agree, I'm not worried about battery life. It's outstanding.