GoKawiil
Tech News
A consumer tech guide explains that slowing performance and poor battery life on older Android phones is often due to a degraded battery rather than a failing device. It recommends replacing the battery—often for $10-$80 depending on repair method—rather than buying a new phone, and suggests using built-in battery-saving modes and keeping charge levels between 20 and 80 percent.
Apple will replace a degraded AirPods battery for $49 per earbud ($98 for a pair) rather than repair them in-house, and charges $79 per earbud for AirPods Max battery swaps. AppleCare customers can get free replacements if battery health drops below 80%, and Apple also sells replacement earbuds and charging cases at set prices for lost or damaged components.
AirTags use a standard CR2032 coin cell battery that typically lasts a year or more, though heavy use of features can shorten that to a few months. Users can check battery status via the Items tab in Find My, which shows an orange icon only when a replacement is needed. Replacing the battery involves twisting off the steel back cover and swapping in a new cell with the positive side up.
Apple has released detailed DIY repair manuals and safety guides for the newly launched iPhone Duo, covering component replacement procedures, battery and glass safety precautions, and internal diagrams. Genuine replacement parts for the device are not yet available through Apple's Self Service Repair Store, though the manuals are live now.
A July 2026 Reddit report suggested Valve was discontinuing OEM batteries for the original Steam Deck LCD, after an iFixit staffer said Valve was 'sunsetting' the parts. Valve subsequently confirmed it would keep supplying batteries, though the replacement price rose from $80 to $130, while iFixit now sells an aftermarket version for $80. Other components, like thumbsticks, SSD and fans, remain relatively easy to self-repair, but Valve has made no long-term commitments on parts such as the screen.
Rising memory chip costs have driven an estimated 20 percent increase in smartphone prices this year, prompting consumers to keep devices longer or buy refurbished units. Despite this shift toward longer phone lifespans, companies like Apple and Samsung continue charging $89 to $229 for out-of-warranty battery replacements, with extended warranty plans being the main way to get cheaper service.
A review of AppleCare+ costs for the Apple Watch SE finds that three years of coverage runs just under $90, rising to $159 with one accidental damage claim and $209 with a theft or loss claim. Out-of-warranty repairs on the SE 3 cost $99 for a battery and $199 for other damage on the GPS model, or $229 for cellular models, with no theft option available without coverage.
A new guide advises Galaxy Watch owners on when to charge their devices to preserve battery longevity, recommending users avoid letting the battery fully deplete or overcharging it. The piece notes that improper charging habits can degrade battery efficiency over time and eventually require a replacement.
An Android Authority writer describes keeping a four-year-old Nothing Phone 1 running after it reached the end of official software support. The fixes included a third-party battery replacement, switching to a slower 18W charger and thinner case to reduce heat, and moving to lighter, open-source apps to cut battery drain and improve speed.
Apple's battery diagnostics, found under Settings > Battery > Battery Health, show whether a battery is 'Normal' or 'Significantly Degraded' along with cycle count and maximum capacity relative to when new. Apple considers a battery worn out once capacity falls below 80%, recommending replacement at that point. Additional warning signs include rapid percentage drops, unexpected shutdowns, sluggish performance under heavy use, overheating when idle, and physical battery bulging, the last of which warrants immediate contact with Apple Support.
iFixit's teardown of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max found Apple's first variable aperture camera, using six hair-thin blades that slide with high precision to control light intake. The report also revealed a new chip packaging layout that places the A20 Pro processor beside its memory rather than stacked, separating memory from the chip's heat path, and noted that three of four test units cracked their display frames during battery removal.
Apple increased the out-of-warranty battery replacement cost for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max by $10, from $119 to $129, likely reflecting the larger battery capacities in the new models. Older iPhones, including the iPhone 6 and original SE, still qualify for the cheapest replacement at $69. Apple has not commented on the price change.