An Engadget reporter's iPhone 15 Pro Max recently crossed 1,000 charge cycles after nearly three years of use, with battery health reporting 81 percent. That figure sits just above Apple's 80 percent threshold for a service warning, meaning the battery has not technically triggered the notification. In practice, the phone now requires charging at least twice a day, down from its original two-day endurance, and the top-up from 80 to 100 percent remains slow.
Software updates played a significant role in the phone's decline. The iOS 18 release brought bugs, heat, and battery drain, and iOS 26 continued the pattern for much of its lifecycle. Only with iOS 27, which focuses on performance and stability, did the phone feel smooth again. The reporter notes that app launches, photo loading, and AirDrop transfers have improved markedly, indicating that software can either accelerate or mask the effects of battery aging.
Despite the battery wear, the device's physical hardware held up well. The titanium frame and glass back show no scratches even after extensive caseless use, and the cameras, buttons, and speakers continue to function as new. The reporter concludes that a battery replacement would likely extend the phone's life for several more years, especially now that the software is stable again.