The iPhone 16 battery capacity is about 3561 mAh, which works out to roughly 13.8 watt hours (Wh). Apple does not print mAh in its own specs. It gives battery life in hours of video, streaming and audio. The mAh number you see online comes from regulatory filings and teardowns, so treat it as a close figure and not a promise for every phone.
This page is for the standard iPhone 16, not the Plus or the Pro models. You will find a comparison with nearby models, what the hours mean in daily use, how charging works and how to read your own battery health. If you came here to buy a battery, note that Apple does not publish a code for its internal battery, so the phone model is what you match.
Quick facts
Step by step
Open the battery page
Go to Settings, then Battery, and tap Battery Health & Charging. On older iOS versions it reads Battery Health.
Read the maximum capacity
Look at Maximum Capacity. It is shown as a percentage of the capacity when the battery was new, not as mAh.
Read the message under it
If the phone says nothing about a problem, no action is needed. A message about performance management or service means you should visit a service centre.
Look at the charging options
In the same area, see whether Optimised Battery Charging or a charge limit is switched on. These settings change how the last part of the charge behaves.
iPhone 16 battery capacity in mAh and watt hours
The figure most sources give for the iPhone 16 is 3561 mAh and about 13.8 Wh. Watt hours is the better number to compare, because it counts both the charge and the voltage. Apple does not state mAh itself, and mAh numbers are worked out by others from filed papers and from teardowns.
That is why you may see small differences, such as 3560 mAh or a Wh figure a little above or below 13.8. These come from rounding and from the voltage used in the sum, not from different phones. Do not recalculate mAh times volts on your own and expect it to match exactly.
The number is also a typical figure for a new battery. Every battery loses a little capacity with use, so a phone that is a year old will hold less than this.
How it compares with nearby iPhones
| Phone | Capacity (mAh, approx.) | Energy (Wh, approx.) | Apple video playback claim |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 | 3227 | 12.4 | Up to 19 hours |
| iPhone 14 | 3279 | 12.7 | Up to 20 hours |
| iPhone 15 | 3349 | 13.0 | Up to 20 hours |
| iPhone 16 | 3561 | 13.8 | Up to 22 hours |
| iPhone 16 Plus | 4674 | 18.1 | Up to 27 hours |
The step from the iPhone 15 to the iPhone 16 is about 6 percent in mAh, but Apple's video claim rises by two hours. That tells you the gain is not only the bigger cell; the chip and display also use less power. For each older phone, see the iPhone 15 page, the iPhone 14 page and the iPhone 13 page. The newer iPhone 17 has its own page, and the full list is on the all iPhones battery page.
Real battery life on an iPhone 16
Apple's hours are measured in set tests. Video playback is the best case, streaming video is lower, and audio playback is much longer because the screen stays off. Your day will fall between these, depending on what you do.
- Gaming, camera and video calls on mobile data drain the battery faster than reading or music.
- Weak network signal makes the phone work harder, so the battery falls quickly in a basement, lift or moving train.
- High brightness and long scrolling sessions cost more than most people expect.
- A battery with many charge cycles holds less than a new one.
For most owners, one day of mixed use is a reasonable expectation, with heavy users needing a top-up by evening. If your phone drains much faster than that, read why a phone battery drains fast before blaming the cell.
An owner said the new iPhone 16 was losing 30 percent in an hour. The cause was a video call app running on weak signal while the phone sat in a thick case on a bed. After the case was removed and the call ended, the drain went back to normal.
Charging speed and what to use
The iPhone 16 supports wired fast charging with a suitable adapter, and Apple says a 20 watt or higher adapter can take it to about 50 percent in around 30 minutes. Wireless charging is also supported, with the best speed on a magnetic charger that matches the phone. Wireless charging is slower and warmer than a cable, so for a quick top-up the cable is better.
Charging time depends on the adapter, the cable and the heat of the phone, as well as the capacity. The last 20 percent always goes slowly, because the phone reduces the current to protect the cell. Use a certified cable. A frayed or loose cable can charge slowly and heat up at the plug.
If the phone feels hot while charging, take off the case and move it to a cool, hard surface. Heat ages a battery more than any other habit.
How to check the health of your iPhone 16 battery
Apple shows battery health on the phone itself, and you do not need any app. Follow the steps above, then compare the percentage with what you feel in daily use. A phone that shows a high percentage but still shuts off is worth a visit to a service centre for a test.
Apple designs the battery of this phone to keep most of its capacity after a large number of full charge cycles. A charge cycle is the use of 100 percent of the battery, which may be spread over several days. Apple explains its battery rules on its battery and performance help page. If you also look after an Android phone in the family, the battery health check guide covers the checks that suit any handset.
Replacing the battery and spotting a bad one
The iPhone 16 is a sealed phone, and the battery is tied to its software and safety checks. Use Apple's own service or an authorised repair provider, and see the official repair page to start. Do not open the phone yourself. The general advice on fitting is in mobile battery replacement.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Next move |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum capacity falls well below 80 percent | Normal ageing of the cell | Plan a replacement at a service centre |
| Phone powers down while percentage still shows | Tired cell cannot supply peak current | Get a battery test |
| Screen lifts or the back looks uneven | Swollen battery | Unplug it and visit a service centre that day |
| Message about an unknown part | Non-genuine or badly fitted battery | Ask the service centre to check the part |
A battery that is swollen, leaking or dented can be unsafe, and the same goes for one that gets very hot. Unplug the charger from the socket right away. Never press, bend or poke the phone. Place it well away from heat, such as sunlight, stoves or heaters, and take it to a service centre after that. Lots of replacement cells sold in shops claim more capacity than they truly hold, so avoid repair shops you cannot trust.
Common mistakes when people search this number
Some people expect the iPhone 16 to match a 5000 mAh Android phone, and feel let down. Capacity is not the only thing that matters. iPhones use different chips and software, so a smaller cell can last about as long as a larger one on another system. Do not compare an iPhone with a Samsung or Redmi phone by mAh alone.
Another mistake is mixing up the model. The iPhone 16, the iPhone 16 Plus and the Pro models have different battery sizes, so check the exact name under Settings, General, About before reading any figure. Last, some listings show a very large mAh number for an iPhone 16 replacement. That is a warning sign of a fake label, since the space inside does not allow it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the battery capacity of iPhone 16 in mAh?
It is about 3561 mAh, or roughly 13.8 Wh. Apple does not state mAh itself, so this figure comes from filings and teardowns.
Is the iPhone 16 battery mAh capacity bigger than the iPhone 15?
Yes, a little. The iPhone 15 is about 3349 mAh, so the iPhone 16 is around 6 percent higher, and Apple's video claim also goes up.
How long does the iPhone 16 battery last?
Apple claims up to 22 hours of video playback. In daily use with calls, apps and signal changes, expect about one day for most people.
Does the iPhone 16 have a 5000 mAh battery?
No. The standard iPhone 16 is in the 3500 mAh range. A claim of 5000 mAh for this model points to a wrong listing or a fake label.
How do I check my iPhone 16 battery health?
Open Settings, then Battery, then Battery Health & Charging. The Maximum Capacity shows the percentage left compared with a new battery.