7 Signs Your Phone Battery Needs Replacing

Fast drain, sudden shutdowns, heat and a swollen case are all clues. Here's how to check your battery health and when a replacement makes sense.

Every smartphone battery wears out. Lithium-ion cells lose capacity with each charge cycle, and after two or three years most phones feel noticeably weaker. The good news: a battery replacement is one of the cheapest ways to make an older phone feel new again. Here are seven signs it’s time.

1. Battery health is below 80%

On iPhone, open Settings › Battery › Battery Health & Charging. If “Maximum Capacity” is under about 80%, Apple considers the battery significantly degraded. On Samsung, the Samsung Members app can run a battery diagnostic.

2. Your phone shuts down with charge left

If your phone dies at 15–30%, the battery can no longer deliver steady voltage. This is one of the clearest signs of a worn battery.

3. It drains before lunch

If a full charge used to last all day and now you’re hunting for a charger by noon with the same usage, capacity has dropped.

4. Your phone feels slow

To prevent shutdowns, phones may throttle performance when the battery is weak. A new battery often restores full speed.

5. It gets hot while charging

Some warmth is normal, but a phone that gets uncomfortably hot during charging or light use should be checked.

6. The screen or back is lifting

This one is urgent. A swollen battery can push the display or back glass out of the frame. Stop charging the phone and bring it in—don’t press on it.

7. It only works while plugged in

If your phone dies the moment you unplug it, the battery is at the end of its life (or there may be a charging port problem—we test both).

Battery worn out? See battery replacement in Glendale →

How to make a battery last longer

Keep your phone out of hot cars—heat is the #1 battery killer in Southern California summers.
Use Optimized/Adaptive charging features.
Use quality chargers and cables (we carry reliable options in our shop).
Avoid draining to 0% regularly.

Battery replacement vs. buying a new phone

If your phone is otherwise in good shape, a battery is a fraction of the cost of upgrading. If you’re ready for something new, we also sell new and pre-owned iPhones and can buy your old one.

Visit Telasco Wireless at 1745 W Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale, CA 91201 or call (818) 937-9696—most battery replacements take under an hour.

Have a question about your phone? Call (818) 937-9696 or visit Telasco Wireless at 1745 W Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale, CA 91201.

Need a fix?