An Apple battery replacement for an iPhone costs between $69 and $129 out of warranty in the US, depending on the model. The newest phones cost the most: the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max are now $129, the first time Apple has charged more than $119 for a battery. With AppleCare+, the same job costs nothing once your battery has dropped below 80 percent of its original capacity.
Quick answer
Apple charges $129 for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, $119 for the iPhone 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, $99 for the iPhone 17, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus and the iPhone 14 and 15 families, $89 for the iPhone X through iPhone 13, and $69 for the iPhone SE and the iPhone 8 or older. AppleCare+ covers the replacement at $0 once maximum capacity falls below 80 percent. Independent shops typically charge $30 to $70, but usually with a non Apple battery.
The price used to be simple. For years almost every iPhone battery cost the same flat fee at an Apple Store. That changed in steps: older models went up $20 in 2023, the iPhone 16 Pro jumped to $119 in 2024, and in September 2026 the iPhone 18 Pro became the first iPhone with a $129 battery. Here is what every model costs today, what you get for the money, and when a cheaper repair shop is actually the better call.
iPhone battery replacement at a glance
Apple out of warranty battery service fees in the US, before tax. Prices as listed in October 2026.
iPhone battery replacement cost by model
These are Apple’s own out of warranty fees, the price you pay at an Apple Store, an Apple Authorized Service Provider or through Apple’s mail in repair. Sales tax is added on top, and the fee includes the genuine battery, the labor and the post repair calibration.
| Model | Apple fee | With AppleCare+ |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max | $129 | $0 |
| iPhone 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max | $119 | $0 |
| iPhone Air | $119 | $0 |
| iPhone 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max | $119 | $0 |
| iPhone 17 | $99 | $0 |
| iPhone 16, 16 Plus | $99 | $0 |
| iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max | $99 | $0 |
| iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max | $99 | $0 |
| iPhone 13 family, 12 family, 11 family | $89 | $0 |
| iPhone X, XS, XS Max, XR | $89 | $0 |
| iPhone SE (all generations), iPhone 8 and older | $69 | $0 |
| iPhone Duo (foldable) | Not yet published | $0 |
Two models are not in the table on purpose. Apple has not posted an out of warranty battery fee for the foldable iPhone Duo, and the budget iPhone 16e and 17e vary enough in reports that the only reliable number is the one Apple’s own estimate tool gives you when you enter the serial number. Do that before you book, since it takes a minute and shows the exact fee for your phone.
Worth knowing
If your iPhone is still inside its one year limited warranty and the battery is defective, the replacement is free. Normal wear is not a defect, though, so a two year old phone at 82 percent health will not qualify. AppleCare+ is the plan that covers ordinary aging.
Why the iPhone 18 Pro battery costs $129
Apple raised the battery fee for the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max by $10, to $129, in the week the phones went on sale. MacRumors spotted the change on Apple’s repair pricing page on September 17, 2026. The iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max stay at $119.
The obvious explanation is the hardware. The 18 Pro Max carries a 5,391mAh cell, almost 12 percent larger than last year’s, and both new Pro models use updated battery designs. The odd part is that the new batteries are meant to be easier to swap, not harder: the 18 Pro models use an adhesive that releases when a low voltage current is applied, so a technician no longer has to pry a glued cell out of the frame. Apple has not said why the fee went up anyway.
Seen over a few years, $129 is the latest step in a steady climb:
Apple’s top battery fee, by Pro generation
Out of warranty US fee for the Pro model of each year. A 30 percent rise in three generations.
Apple vs repair shop vs doing it yourself
The Apple fee is not the only option. It is usually the safest one, and for older phones it is often not the cheapest. Here is how the three routes compare.
| Option | Typical cost | Battery used | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider | $69 to $129 | Genuine Apple, health reading kept | Recent phones, resale value, peace of mind |
| Independent repair shop | About $30 to $70 | Usually third party | Older phones you plan to keep a year or two |
| DIY kit | About $30 to $55 | Third party unless you use Apple Self Service Repair | People comfortable opening a phone |
The catch with a cheaper battery is what the phone does afterwards. On recent iPhones, a battery that is not genuine shows a notice in Settings saying the part could not be verified, and the phone may stop reporting an accurate Battery Health percentage. The phone keeps working, but you lose the one number that tells you how the new cell is aging, and buyers of used iPhones increasingly check the parts history before they pay.
A good independent shop that is an Apple Independent Repair Provider can order genuine parts, so it is worth asking which battery they fit before you agree on a price. Apple’s Self Service Repair store also sells genuine batteries with a rental tool kit, which keeps the health reading intact if you do the job yourself.
Warning
A swollen battery is a safety issue, not a cost decision. If your screen is lifting away from the frame or the back is bulging, stop charging the phone, do not press on it, and take it in for service as soon as you can.
Is AppleCare+ worth it for the battery alone?
Usually not on its own, but it changes the math once you add accidents. AppleCare+ for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max costs $14.99 a month or $149.99 a year. Battery service is free once capacity is below 80 percent, a cracked screen or back glass costs $29, and other accidental damage is $99.
Without it, a single cracked screen on an 18 Pro Max costs $379 and the battery $129. If you keep phones for three or more years and tend to drop them, the plan pays for itself. If your phones survive in a case and you upgrade every two years, a one time $129 battery is the cheaper bet.
When should you actually replace the battery?
Open Settings, then Battery, then Battery Health. Three things on that screen tell you whether it is time:
- Maximum capacity below 80 percent. This is Apple’s own threshold and the point where AppleCare+ pays in full.
- A Service message. If the screen says the battery needs service, iOS has decided the cell is significantly degraded.
- Peak performance capability notes. If iOS says it has applied performance management after an unexpected shutdown, the phone is slowing itself down to protect a weak battery. A new cell removes that limit.
Cycle count matters too. Apple rates the iPhone 15 and later to keep 80 percent of their original capacity at 1,000 full charge cycles, double the 500 cycle rating of the iPhone 14 and earlier. For most people that means a newer iPhone reaches the replacement point in its fourth or fifth year rather than its second or third. If you are not sure whether heat is speeding up your own battery’s decline, our guide to why an iPhone gets hot when charging covers the habits that wear a cell fastest.
Tip
Book the appointment online and choose a store that has your model’s battery in stock. A battery swap at an Apple Store usually takes about an hour to a few hours on the same day, while mail in repair keeps the phone away for several days. Back up the phone before you go, as Apple asks.
Is a new battery worth it, or should you upgrade?
For any iPhone that still gets current iOS updates, a $89 to $129 battery is almost always the better deal than a new phone. It restores close to new battery life and removes performance throttling for a fraction of the cost of an iPhone 18 Pro, which starts at $1,199.
The calculation flips for very old phones. If your iPhone no longer receives iOS updates, spending $69 or $89 keeps an unsupported phone going while its security patches stop. And if your phone also has a cracked screen or a failing camera, the repairs add up quickly. Check how your current model compares on runtime first: our breakdown of how long each iPhone 17 model really lasts is a useful benchmark for what a new phone would actually give you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Apple charge to replace an iPhone battery?
Between $69 and $129 in the US, out of warranty. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max cost $129; the 16 Pro, 17 Pro and iPhone Air cost $119; the iPhone 14, 15, 16 and 17 cost $99; the iPhone X through 13 cost $89; and the iPhone SE and iPhone 8 or older cost $69. Tax is extra.
Is the iPhone battery replacement free with AppleCare+?
Yes, once the battery holds less than 80 percent of its original capacity. Above that threshold AppleCare+ does not cover a battery swap, because the battery is considered healthy.
How much is an iPhone 17 Pro battery replacement?
$119 out of warranty for both the iPhone 17 Pro and the 17 Pro Max. The iPhone Air is also $119, and the standard iPhone 17 is $99.
Why is the iPhone 18 Pro battery replacement more expensive?
Apple raised it by $10 to $129 when the phones launched in September 2026. Both models use updated battery designs, and the Pro Max cell is almost 12 percent larger, but Apple has not given an official reason for the increase.
Is it cheaper to replace an iPhone battery at a third party shop?
Usually, at around $30 to $70. Most shops fit third party cells, which can trigger an unverified part notice and stop the Battery Health reading from working. Ask whether the shop uses genuine Apple parts before you decide.
How long does an Apple battery replacement take?
In store, often the same day, typically within a few hours if the part is in stock. Mail in service takes several days including shipping.
The bottom line
An iPhone battery replacement at Apple costs $69 to $129, and the newest Pro phones sit at the top of that range. For any phone still on current iOS, it is the best value repair Apple sells: it brings back battery life and full performance for the price of a pair of earbuds. Check your Battery Health first, use AppleCare+ if you have it, and if you go to an independent shop, ask what battery they are putting in.
Sources and further reading
- Apple Support: iPhone battery replacement and pricing estimate
- MacRumors: Apple increases battery replacement fee for iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max
- 9to5Mac: iPhone 17, Air and 17 Pro repair costs
About this article: GeekBlog covers U.S. technology news, AI, phones, smartwatches and gaming. Every story is written and checked under our Editorial Policy. Spotted a mistake or have a story tip? Contact our editors.
