How-To
How to Check MacBook Battery Health (and Why It Affects Resale)
Updated 4 min readBy SellYourMac Editorial
MacBook Air M5 15" (A3448) is worth up to AED 3,200 at SellYourMac in Dubai, UAE. Free doorstep collection across the emirates with same-day bank transfer — Get my instant price.
Battery cycle count is the single most important number a serious MacBook buyer checks. Apple rates the modern battery for 1,000 cycles before significant degradation. Here's the 60-second method.
Find the cycle count in macOS
1. Hold Option and click the Apple menu (top-left). 2. Click 'System Information…'. 3. In the sidebar, select 'Power'. 4. Look for 'Cycle Count' under Battery Information.
What the numbers mean for resale
UAE resident buyers price MacBooks roughly along these tiers:
- Under 100 cycles — top of the price band, can advertise as 'almost new battery'
- 100 to 400 cycles — full quoted price, no deduction
- 400 to 800 cycles — minor 5–10% deduction
- 800 to 1,000 cycles — 15–20% deduction, often advertised as 'needs battery service soon'
- Over 1,000 cycles or 'Service Recommended' — 20–30% deduction
