Does the T480 have two batteries?

The Lenovo ThinkPad T480 is well-known for its excellent battery life and business-friendly design. One of the most common questions people ask is:

“Does the T480 have two batteries?”

The short answer is: yes – most T480 configurations use Lenovo’s Power Bridge system, which combines an internal battery with a removable external battery. This design lets you swap the rear battery without shutting the laptop down and gives you flexible options for total capacity.

In this blog, we’ll explain how the dual-battery system works, what capacities are available, and how you can replace or upgrade each battery in your T480.

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1. The T480 dual-battery (Power Bridge) concept

On the ThinkPad T480, Lenovo uses a clever dual-battery layout:

• One internal battery – built into the chassis (not for everyday removal, but replaceable)
• One external, removable battery – attached to the back of the laptop

Both batteries work together to power the laptop. When the external battery runs low, the T480 can continue running from the internal battery for a short time, giving you a window to swap the external battery without shutting down or going into sleep. This is the essence of Lenovo’s Power Bridge technology.

So yes, in normal configurations, the T480 effectively has two batteries active at the same time.

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2. The internal battery in the T480

Inside the ThinkPad T480, you’ll find a compact 3-cell, 24 Wh internal battery. This pack is screwed and plugged into the motherboard under the bottom cover.

Key points:

• Capacity: 24 Wh (3-cell)
• Location: Inside the chassis, under the bottom cover
• Role: Works together with the external battery and keeps the laptop alive during external battery hot-swap

When this internal battery ages and loses capacity, you can replace it with a compatible 24 Wh unit such as:

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3. The external (removable) battery options

The second battery in the T480 is the rear, removable battery. This is the one you can slide out and swap without tools. Lenovo offers several capacities in the ThinkPad 61 battery family, all compatible with the T480 chassis:

• 24 Wh 3-cell (Battery 61) – slim and light
• 48 Wh 6-cell (Battery 61+) – balanced size and runtime
• 72 Wh 6-cell extended (Battery 61++) – maximum runtime, larger “bump” on the back

These external packs are what make the dual-battery system so flexible. You can choose a small, light battery for short trips or a large one for long days away from power.

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3.1 24Wh external battery – slim and lightweight

If you want the T480 to stay as close as possible to its original slim profile, the 24 Wh external 3-cell battery is the best match. Combined with the internal 24 Wh pack, you get around 48 Wh total capacity.

Typical features:

• Capacity: 24 Wh (3-cell)
• Profile: Very low, minimal extension at the back
• Best for: Users who carry the laptop a lot and plug in regularly during the day

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3.2 48Wh external battery – best balance for many users

The 48 Wh 6-cell external battery (often referred to as Battery 61+) is the “sweet spot” for many T480 owners. It adds more capacity without making the laptop overly bulky.

Combined with the internal 24 Wh, you get around 72 Wh total, which is enough for long meetings, classes and mobile work days (actual hours depend on workload and settings).

Typical features:

• Capacity: 48 Wh (6-cell)
• Profile: Slight “bump” at the back that can tilt the keyboard for comfortable typing
• Best for: Business travelers, students and power users who need several hours of real-world runtime

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3.3 72Wh external battery – maximum runtime

If you want the longest possible battery life, the 72 Wh extended external battery (Battery 61++) is the top choice. It adds a noticeable “hump” at the back and increases weight, but the payoff is excellent runtime.

Paired with the internal 24 Wh battery, you reach around 96 Wh total capacity, which is ideal for long flights, field work or full days away from power.

Typical features:

• Capacity: 72 Wh (extended 6-cell)
• Profile: Extended pack that raises the rear of the laptop
• Best for: Users who prioritise runtime over weight and compact size

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4. Can the T480 run on one battery only?

Yes. Even though the T480 supports two batteries, it can run with:

• Only the internal battery – if you remove the external pack
• Only the external battery – if the internal battery is drained or has very low capacity (though this is not ideal)

However, you get the best experience and runtime when both batteries are installed and healthy. The Power Bridge system is designed to juggle both packs intelligently, making sure you get the most from your T480’s power system.

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5. How to check if both batteries are detected in Windows

To confirm that your T480 is using its two batteries correctly:

1. In Windows 10/11, click on the battery icon in the taskbar.
2. Often, you will see a combined percentage, but detailed battery tools (like Lenovo Vantage or Powercfg /batteryreport) show two separate entries:
   • Battery 1 – usually the internal battery
   • Battery 2 – the external removable battery

If only one battery appears, either one of the packs is missing, not connected properly, or has failed and may need replacement.

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6. Summary: does the T480 have two batteries?

In most configurations, the answer is a clear yes:

• The ThinkPad T480 uses an internal 24 Wh battery plus a removable external battery in the 61-series family.
• You can choose between 24 Wh, 48 Wh or 72 Wh for the external pack, depending on how much runtime you need.
• The dual-battery Power Bridge design lets you swap the external battery without shutting the system down.

If your T480 no longer lasts as long as it used to, refreshing both the internal and external batteries is one of the best upgrades you can make—restoring the original endurance that made this ThinkPad such a favourite among business users and power users alike.