We all know that smartphones have to be charged regularly in order to keep working. But do you know that the way you charge your phone has a great impact on how long the battery lasts? Simple habits, like under or over-charging, can drastically shorten the lifespan of your cell phone battery.
Unfortunately, your phone’s battery capacity inevitably declines with age. But it does not mean you can’t do anything to prolong the battery life of your smartphone. If you’re searching for the best way to charge your phone, this guide will unveil some scientifically proven tips to maximize battery life. Please read till the end to learn everything about the relationship between the phone’s charging and its battery lifetime.
What is the Relationship between Mobile Phone Charging and Mobile Phone Battery?
Most smartphones today run on lithium-ion batteries, which work in charge cycles. A brand-new lithium-ion battery can last between 300 and 500 charge cycles. This is where your cell phone charging habits come into play. Generally, a smartphone’s battery can last between two and three years, but the frequency with which you charge it significantly affects how quickly you run through those charge cycles.
To clarify, lithium-ion batteries, regardless of your charging habits, will deteriorate even when sitting on a shelf. Irreversible internal structure changes happen as you cycle the battery.
As a result, the lithium count gradually drops and gets lodged onto the anode during normal usage. It forms a restrictive layer that increases the battery’s internal resistance, ultimately lowering its capacity.
In terms of your cell phone charging habits, the following factors speed up the growth of the restrictive layer:
- Low battery level
- Deeper discharge
- High discharge rate
Effect of Partial Charging on Your Phone’s Battery
Operating your phone’s battery at a low voltage can increase the number of available charging cycles before you see a significant reduction in its capacity. According to Battery University, every 0.1V decrease in cell voltage can double the cycle life.
That means charging your smartphone in that 30% to 80% range can keep the voltage lower and prolong the battery’s lifespan.
Will Different Charging Methods Affect the Battery of the Mobile Phone?
Yes, different charging methods can affect your phone’s battery, but the effects can vary depending on your charging habits. Below, we have discussed a few standard phone charging methods and their impacts on the battery’s capacity:
● Wireless Charging
Wireless chargers have gained immense popularity in this high-tech world. This phone charging method uses a charging pad to transmit power wirelessly through electromagnetic induction. It eliminates the need for cables and codes, which can be frustrating to deal with. Plus, wireless charging offers more secure connections.
There are a few potential disadvantages associated with wireless charging. For example, it produces heat, affecting your battery’s long-term health. Also, the charging speed might be slower than the traditional wired charging.
● Standard Wired Charging
Using the original charger to re-power your phone is one of the safest ways to charge your cell phone. This phone charging method has no potential side effects as it is optimized to protect your battery’s long-term health. However, charging your phone with a low-quality charger and cable may harm the battery’s capacity.
● Power Bank
Power banks are great as they allow you to charge your smartphones anywhere. These handy gadgets come in different sizes and shapes but are small enough to fit in your pocket. Whether you’re traveling or running errands, a power bank can be a great help.
But make sure to use a power bank with optimal voltage and current level. If the voltage and current levels are too high, it can damage the battery’s health.
What is the Best Way to Charge your Phone for the First Time?
When you buy a new mobile phone, its battery is never 100% charged, irrespective of the brand. So, if you’re charging your phone for the first time, never charge 100% for some time. After a few weeks, you can charge it fully once or twice a month. Also, it is advisable to remove the charger of your new phone when it is 90% charged. It will not overload the battery and improve its capacity and longevity.
So, when should you charge your new mobile phone? You should charge it before 20% less. This is because lithium-ion batteries may lose their capacity when the charging is less than 20%.
To maintain the optimal performance of your new phone’s battery, make sure to pay attention to the following points:
● Use Original Charge
When charging your phone for the first time, make sure to use the original charger and USB that comes with the smartphone. If the original charger gets damaged, buy a new one from the same manufacturer/brand.
● Read the User Manual About Charging
A user guide about battery and charging comes with new cell phones. Make sure to read this guide thoroughly and follow the instructions to protect your phone’s battery life.
● Avoid Charging Again and Again
Aim to charge your mobile battery only once a day if not necessary. Otherwise, it will put a load on the battery and reduce its capacity.
● Use the Right Charging Method
Use the standard wired charging method to charge your phone for the first time. Innovative approaches, such as power banks and wireless charging, are convenient but can damage your new phone’s battery.
What’s the Best Way to Charge Your Phone’s Battery?
Proper charging techniques can significantly prolong your cell phone’s battery life. Also, a well-maintained battery ensures that your device operates optimally. Here are some scientifically proven ways to charge your phone’s battery to protect its performance and longevity better:
● Turn Your Phone Off
It is a simple but overlooked phone charging practice. If you turn your phone off while it is re-powering, it will get charged much faster. Obviously, you will not be able to receive urgent messages and calls. But if you want to give your phone a quick boost, powering it down will surely be the way to go.
● Never Let Your Phone’s Battery Run Out
Don’t let the battery run out, but don’t fully load it either for optimal performance. If you allow the phone’s battery to run down below 20%, you will be putting a strain on it and affecting its charging capacity. In contrast, charging the battery by more than 80% can damage the battery and affect its autonomy.
● Enable the Charge Mode
When you plug in a USB cable, the smartphone allows you to specify what type of connection it should make. If you’re charging via other devices like a laptop or car, you need to ensure the charging mode is enabled and has not been accidentally disabled.
To enable this mode, navigate to “Settings,” access “Connected Devices,” and head to “USB Preferences.” From the list of available options, enable the “Charge Connected Device.”
● Remove the Phone Case
As mentioned earlier, today’s smartphones mostly rely on lithium-ion batteries. The chemistry behind the working of these batteries dictates that your phone’s charging process works efficiently when the battery is cool. So, removing your phone’s case will help lower the surrounding temperature, keeping it in the ideal range.
What Should I Pay Attention to When Charging My Mobile Phone?
If your cell phone’s battery is draining faster than normal, you might be practicing inappropriate charging habits. Paying attention to the following points when charging your phone can help prolong your smartphone’s battery health:
● Avoid Overnight Charging
Charging your cell phone overnight is a common practice, which can drastically reduce the battery’s performance and lifespan. If you overcharge your phone, it may continue to trickle the charger, generating heat. If your phone is on a soft surface, like a pillow or bed, the produced heat can’t escape and potentially damage the battery.
Additionally, leaving your phone plugged in overnight can shorten the battery’s lifespan. So, keep your phone’s battery healthy, and don’t leave it in the charger while you sleep.
● Don’t Charge Your Phone in Extreme Temperatures
If you live in an area where the temperature reaches up to 90 Fahrenheit or even higher, try investing in an air conditioning unit to keep your phone safe. If it is not economical for you, at least don’t leave your phone lying around the sun for an extended period.
● Limit the Phone Usage While It’s Re-Powering
Using your mobile phone while it is charging can slow down the process and damage the battery in the long term. Also, resist watching videos, playing games, or scrolling through social media to keep the battery cool.
Conclusion:
These days, lithium-ion batteries are used to help you use your smartphones for longer. However, bad phone charging habits can drastically shorten the battery’s lifespan and performance.
So, make sure to use the original charger and avoid wireless charging to preserve the optimal performance of your cell phone’s battery. Avoiding overcharging and limiting the phone usage while re-powering is also great for protecting the battery’s life.
