Yes, we know. Our smartphone
batteries are bad because they barely last a day.
But it's partially our fault
because we've been charging them wrong this whole time.
Many of us have an ingrained
notion that charging our smartphones in small bursts will cause long-term
damage to their batteries, and that it's better to charge them when they're
close to dead.
But we couldn't be more wrong.
If fact, a site from battery
company Cadex called Battery University details how the lithium-ion batteries
in our smartphones are sensitive to their own versions of "stress."
And, like for humans, extended stress could be damaging your smartphone
battery's long-term lifespan.
If you want to keep your
smartphone battery in top condition and go about your day without worrying
about battery life, you need to change a few things.
Don't keep it plugged in when
it's fully charged
According to Battery University,
leaving your phone plugged in when it's fully charged, like you might
overnight, is bad for the battery in the long run.
Once your smartphone has reached
100% charge, it gets "trickle charges" to keep it at 100% while
plugged in. It keeps the battery in a high-stress, high-tension state, which
wears down the chemistry within.
"trickle charges"
Battery University goes into a
bunch of scientific detail explaining why, but it also sums it nicely:
"When fully charged, remove the battery" from its charging device.
"This is like relaxing the muscles after strenuous exercise." You too
would be pretty miserable if you worked out nonstop for hours and hours.
In fact, try not to charge it to
100%
At least when you don't have to.
According to Battery University,
"Li-ion does not need to be fully charged, nor is it desirable to do so.
In fact, it is better not to fully charge, because a high voltage stresses the
battery" and wears it away in the long run.
That might seem counterintuitive
if you're trying to keep your smartphone charged all day, but just plug it in
whenever you can during the day, and you'll be fine.
Plug in your phone whenever
you can
It turns out that the batteries
in our smartphones are much happier if you charge them occasionally throughout
the day instead of plugging them in for a big charging session when they're
empty.
Charging your phone when it loses
10% of its charge would be the best-case scenario, according to Battery
University. Obviously, that's not practical for most people, so just plug in
your smartphone whenever you can. It's fine to plug and unplug it multiple
times a day.
Not only does this keep your
smartphone's battery performing optimally for longer, but it also keeps it
topped up throughout the day.
Plus, periodic top-ups also let
you use features you might not normally use because they hog your battery life,
like location-based features that use your smartphone's GPS antenna.
Keep it cool
Smartphone batteries are so
sensitive to heat that Apple itself suggests you remove certain cases that
insulate heat from your iPhone when you charge it. "If you notice that
your device gets hot when you charge it, take it out of its case first." If
you're out in the hot sun, keep your phone covered. It'll protect your battery's
health.
Credits : Techinsider
Credits : Techinsider
