Battery life is a very complex topic. So many people, so many suggestions, so we examined the complaints about battery manuals recommended by various experts. Then we also got acquainted with the offers of mobile phone manufacturing companies. Let us know more about the methods by which you can increase the battery life of your device.
Before you follow the advice, it is very important to know some facts. Our smartphones, tablets and laptops use lithium-ion batteries. The capacity of these batteries decreases over time.
By following the tips below, you can slow down this process, but not stop it completely. The batteries are designed to retain 80 percent of their capacity with regular charging cycles. This number may be higher for larger batteries or for more expensive batteries in tablets and laptops. For example, Apple claims the iPhone retains 80 percent of its capacity for up to 500 charge cycles, while the iPad and MacBook have 1,000.
Now you may be wondering, “What is this charging cycle?” The battery completes one charge cycle where you charge it to 100 percent, then use it all up and drop it to zero. If you only charge it to 50 percent and then use it completely, half the charging cycle will be completed. Well, it’s actually a little more complicated, but it’s important for an initial understanding. This means you won’t be able to repeatedly avoid charging cycles by fully charging your phone again after its battery reaches 90 percent. If you do this 10 times, the charging cycle will be completed.
Tips for extending battery life
You can’t change the laws of physics, but you can definitely reduce the damage done to your battery through regular use. You just need to know some things like the temperature and charge level of your mobile phone. To keep your battery healthy, you must keep these things in mind.
1. Monitor the temperature
Temperature has a big impact on the battery of any device. If you live in a place where the temperature often exceeds 35 degrees or even below zero, the battery capacity will quickly decrease. If possible, your phone or tablet should be protected from direct sunlight and frost. Although extreme heat is more harmful to battery capacity than extreme cold, both are harmful. Battery University has a great guide to extending battery life so you can learn about the effect of temperature on battery capacity.
2. Partial discharge versus full discharge
Well, you may have been told many times to charge your phone after it’s completely drained, but the reality is that partial discharge cycles are better than full discharge cycles in many ways. While this is not the case for all lithium-ion batteries, it is generally beneficial to keep the battery charge between 40 and 80 percent. This means that as soon as your phone’s battery reaches 40 percent, put it on charge and remove it from charge once it reaches 80 percent. Although this may vary slightly from device to device, you will have to agree on everything. Practical use must also be considered. Suppose you are going somewhere and won’t be able to use the charger for a long time, in such a situation, you need to charge your phone to 100 percent rather than getting stuck in a numbers game.
3. Do not leave your phone constantly connected to the charger.
Even though your phone’s battery is fully charged, leaving it connected to a charger may shorten its battery life. Battery University states that overcharging is harmful to battery health. Banning full charging has some benefits: Some companies deliberately lower the charge threshold to extend battery life. Lithium-ion batteries are not rechargeable, so once fully charged, you must remove the battery from the charger. Continuously charging a fully charged battery causes lithium metal to form on the battery plating, compromising your safety.
While this advice is easy to follow for smartphones and especially tablets, it is not practical for laptops. If you leave your laptop constantly charging, it will eventually damage the battery. It would be better if you discharged the battery down to 40 percent from time to time. On the other hand, discharging the battery after it is 100% charged will waste the charging cycle, which is also harmful in the long run. The best option is to be practical. Discharge it from time to time, but you also need to take care of its use. Suppose you need to attend a meeting, it is better if the battery remains fully charged during this time.
4. Avoid using ultra-fast chargers.
Some devices can be charged quickly using ultra-fast chargers, but this is not good for the health of your device in the long run. Battery University has some good advice on this topic: “If an underpowered engine is towing a large vehicle, the engine pressure is too high and the engine will not last very long.”
5. Do not use counterfeit chargers.
The fake charger can be purchased from any roadside shop for just 50 rupees. And we will use it to charge a phone bought for 50,000 rupees, but we would not recommend doing this at all. Apple has even launched a third-party charger exchange program to ensure its customers only use genuine chargers.
6. Medium and long term storage
If you are not going to use the device for some time, you should keep the battery charge to 50 percent before turning it off. Or, if you’re going on a long trip and want to store your phone, most companies recommend storing the device in a cool place (below 32 degrees Celsius) and ideally with a half-charged battery.
Apple’s battery guide says that if you don’t plan to use your device for more than 6 months, you should charge it to 50 percent every 6 months. No matter what brand of device you have, follow this advice.
Unfortunately, batteries have a limited lifespan, after which they degrade and cannot be stopped. However, by following these simple tips, you can make it last a little longer.
