Are you charging your phone right? You could be damaging it instead.
In our modern, connected world, smartphones are considered essential tools that keep us linked to work, friends, and the world at large. As such, we are constantly monitoring and ensuring that our phones remain charged throughout the day, however, how we charge them significantly impacts their lifespan and performance. So what are the dos and don’ts of cell phone charging?
Firstly, most smartphones today are equipped with lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. These batteries, which are popular for their efficiency, lightweight nature and ability to hold a charge over extended periods are sensitive to certain charging behavior that can affect their overall lifespan.
Li-ion batteries do not appreciate being fully discharged/drained or overcharged once they are full. Completely draining the battery frequently can lead to a decrease in its capacity over time. On the other hand, consistently leaving your phone plugged in after it reaches 100% can also degrade the battery’s health. So, to maintain optimal battery performance it is essential to adopt smart charging habits, for example:
Charge Regularly but Avoid Full Discharges: It is advisable to charge your phone before it drops to 0%. Instead of waiting for a complete drain, aim to keep your battery level between 15% and 80% for optimal longevity.
Unplug After Reaching 100%: Once your phone reaches a full charge, unplug it from the charger. Many modern smartphones have built-in mechanisms to prevent overcharging, but it is still beneficial to disconnect to minimize stress on the battery. In addition, while charging overnight is convenient, it can stress the battery unnecessarily if done frequently.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures: High temperatures can also affect battery life, which is why it is recommended to charge your phone in well-ventilated areas. Avoid leaving it in direct sunlight or near heat sources since charging in extreme temperatures degrades battery health over time.
However, even with the best charging practices there might come a time when you notice your phone’s battery isn’t holding a charge as well as it used to. Perhaps it’s draining faster, or you need to recharge more frequently. While battery degradation is a natural process that occurs over time, there are steps you can take to improve your battery’s health and extend its usability.
One of the first steps you can take to regain some battery performance is to perform a full charge cycle. This process also known as battery calibration involves:
- Discharging your phone completely until it shuts down on its own. While regular full discharge isn’t recommended, doing this occasionally can help calibrate the battery meter.
- Charge to 100% without interruption. Once you have completely drained the battery, plug it in and charge to 100% without using it during the charging process. You could do this overnight or when you won’t need your phone for a few hours.
- Unplug and restart once the phone reaches a full charge. This helps recalibrate the software that measures battery level, giving you a more accurate reading of your battery’s health.
Looking for more ways to optimize battery life? You can start by exploring and utilizing your phone’s built-in battery optimization settings. These features are designed to extend battery life by managing app usage and background processes effectively. Additionally, reducing screen brightness and enabling dark mode can significantly lessen the strain on your battery since the screen is one of the biggest power consumers on your device.
That said, battery degradation is an inevitable part of a smartphone’s lifecycle, so while you can slow down this process and even regain some lost performance, over time your battery is set to lose some efficiency. If you’ve tried all the above steps and still find your battery’s performance is lacking, then it might be time to consider a battery replacement.
