What does the cycle count of a battery represent?

The cycle count of a battery refers to the sum of total and partial discharges throughout its lifetime. A battery cycle is defined as the process of using up all the stored energy of a battery and then recharging it to its full capacity, which can include multiple partial discharges and recharges. For example, if a user discharges a battery from 100% to 50% and then recharges it back to 100%, that counts as half a cycle. If this is done twice, it counts as one full cycle. This measurement is crucial for understanding battery health and lifecycle, as it gives insight into the usage and longevity of the battery.

Understanding the cycle count helps technicians assess when a battery may need replacement or service based on how many cycles it has gone through compared to its expected lifetime.