When I reflect over all the iOS devices I have owned, I cannot recall a single one that I did not have to exchange with Apple due to some issue. My Verizon iPhone 4 is proving to be no different than any of the previous devices. I exchanged my first iPhone due to an issue with the battery indicator where the device would power off at 26% remaining battery life. Two months later my exchanged device is having the same issues that ultimately had me exchange the prior device.
How the Battery Problem Manifests
I commonly allow my devices to fully discharge the battery until it powers off. Call me old fashion but over 10 years of owning mobile phones I rarely have a battery that survives a year unless I periodically perform discharges. Like many users I almost never power off my smartphone. Initially, the iPhone will properly discharge to 0% however over time the power off point will slowly creep from 2% – 20+%.
Unless you actually pay attention to your battery like I do it is likely you would never notice the issue. I would notice the device shutting down despite having 3% or 6% remaining battery life. Once you start charging the device it powers on and the battery indicator properly reads 2%, 3%, or 26% properly. Either the phone can see additional battery power and just will not allow you to access/use it or the battery indicator improperly displays no power. Either way this is a problem.
The Suggested Solution
The ultimate Apple solution is to reset the phone and do not restore from backup, which is like having an issue in windows and choosing to reinstall vs resolve and deleting all your personal data. Regardless, I have tried the solution and it does not resolve the battery indicator issue.
Returning the Device to Apple
My technical side wants to know the root cause, as going to the Apple Store to exchange my device is just not convenient. I have never had an issue exchanging an iPhone with Apple although they do look for physical / water damage. Usually when I remove the iPhone from the Otterbox case they seem less concerned I am abusing the hardware.
I cannot be the only person that is seeing progressively worse battery life on my iPhone 4. Specifically an issue that has the iPhone powering off prior to reaching 0% battery life remaining is an issue that needs to be resolved.
