Taking care of your phone’s battery is crucial for extending your device’s lifespan. Often, we neglect proper charging habits, which can potentially lead to reduced battery life.
There is a direct correlation between your battery’s lifespan and the number of times you charge your phone. Several habits contribute to battery degradation, with one of the main culprits being overnight charging. When your phone remains plugged in for hours after reaching one hundred percent, it accelerates battery wear.
“What most people do not know is that you are accelerating the ageing process of your smartphone’s lithium-ion battery,” Baaru Muchiri, an IT expert in Nairobi, told a local publication.
“Lithium-ion batteries have a limited lifespan. No matter what you do, your phone’s battery capacity, which translates to its lifespan, degrades as you use it. However, you can have a say in how quickly your smartphone battery ages.”
Gone are the days when your device could require a full-night’s charge, as modern technology has allowed phone manufacturers to install software features that allow users to preserve battery life without the need for user input.
Baaru noted that newer device models , such as iPhones and Samsungs, are designed to retain up to 80 per cent of their original battery capacity.
“It is important to always check your phone’s battery health, under settings. On certain phones, you can turn on the optimized charging feature which delays the chemical aging of your battery,” he said.
Another development is the emergence of super-fast chargers, which can make a significant impact in just a few minutes.
It is advised to always maintain your battery at or above 20 per cent but not more than 80 to 85 per cent.
“When charging, remember to remove your phone cover to prevent overheating. Do not use your phone, in fact, switch it off and turn off the location and mobile data which are the main culprits of draining your battery,” the expert advised.
Some experts suggest performing a full recharge from zero to one hundred percent once a month, also known as a “charge cycle.” This process helps recalibrate the battery, similar to restarting a computer.
Most lithium-ion phone batteries last between 400 to 500 charge cycles before needing replacement. Charging overnight can increase the number of full charge cycles, which accelerates battery degradation.
To preserve your battery and prevent further degradation, consider not charging your phone to full capacity every time you plug it in. This approach can help extend your battery life.
