Retrofitting MacBook 12" 2015 with 2016/2017 parts?

[Fun.gus]

Hi All,

I may soon start to look into replacing the battery+case on a recently well priced 2015 rMB that I purchased for my SO. I know that the batteries in the 2015 are not the greatest so that got me thinking... can I buy a newer models battery+case online and replace this model's one? I don't have apple care and the warranty period is over but after only 300 cycles it is on 83%.

I have been doing some digging around and looking at teardowns to figure it out but can't find a definitive answer. Attached are images from Ifixit and from what I can see, there shouldn't be an issue replacing the 2015 with a 2016 or 2017 and maybe the same with the top case?

I'm sure someone out there knows a whole lot more about it than I do and perhaps I'm overlooking something.
[doublepost=1532686625][/doublepost]* This site ensures that the battery is compatible but I am still not sure about the case itself.

https://www.applelaptopbattery.co.uk/apple-a1534-emc-2746--battery.htm

 

[mj_]

The battery of the 2015 and the 2016/2017 model is practically identical:

2015: 39.7 Wh
2016/17: 41.4 Wh

In other words: a 2016/2017 battery might give you up to 4.3% longer battery life.

I wouldn't worry about the battery too much. Is it still working? How much battery life are you getting? 300 cycles and three years are really not that long for a modern battery, you should be getting around 5 years of decent battery life. Where did you get that 83% from? Have you tried calibrating the battery since you purchased the device?

 

[zhenya]

I wouldn't bother. An extra 20% battery is going to give you about an extra hour tops. Most people will never notice the difference. It seems like these batteries drop to about 80% capacity fairly quickly, but then the deterioration flattens out quite a bit. By the time you bought a new battery and other parts you might as well have bought a better machine complete.