Many of us have developed the habit of charging our phones overnight, ensuring we start each day with a fully powered device. However, this routine might not be beneficial for your smartphone's battery health in the long run. It’s commonly believed that consistently charging your cell phone battery to 100% and leaving it plugged in can adversely affect its longevity. Chao-Yang Wang, the director of the Electrochemical Engine Center at Penn State University, affirms that this belief holds some truth.
According to Wang, charging your phone to a full 100% can accelerate battery degradation. “A battery will degrade faster if you charge it to 100% versus a little bit lower state of charge,” he explains. This is corroborated by Dibakar Datta, an associate professor of mechanical and industrial engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, who notes that keeping your phone plugged in after it reaches a full charge maintains a high voltage. This condition contributes to chemical aging within the battery.
Wang highlights that if you routinely charge your phone to 100%, the battery may deteriorate about 10% to 15% faster over its lifespan compared to if you charged it to a lower percentage, such as 90%. While this may not seem like a significant difference, it is noticeable over time. Nonetheless, the deterioration process is gradual, and modern smartphone batteries are designed to be quite durable. “Batteries last, probably, longer than the other features of the phone,” Wang reassures, indicating that you will likely replace your phone for reasons such as camera quality or a broken screen before battery issues become a concern.
Although regularly charging your phone to 100% isn’t ideal, there are instances when a full charge is necessary. Wang suggests that the decision largely depends on individual needs and convenience. “If you have a mission-critical day, you will be better off charging to 100% to ensure you have enough battery life for longer usage,” he advises. For example, if you have a long travel day ahead and need your phone for navigation, it’s perfectly acceptable to charge it fully before setting out.
On the other hand, if you’re at home and don’t require your phone extensively, charging it to around 85% to 90% can help prolong battery life. This practice is beneficial for maintaining healthy battery performance over time.
Datta warns against allowing your phone battery to drop to 0% regularly. Instead, he recommends plugging it in when it reaches about 20%. Frequently allowing your battery to deplete completely can diminish its ability to hold a charge effectively. The optimal charging range for smartphone batteries is between 20% to 80%, which is often considered the sweet spot for maintaining battery health.
Additionally, temperature plays a crucial role in battery performance. Wang emphasizes that batteries are more sensitive to extreme temperatures than to the practice of charging to 100%. “I think that damage under those extreme conditions probably is greater than charging to 100% under normal temperatures,” he explains. Most smartphones are designed to adapt their charging rate based on environmental conditions, which is why users may sometimes see notifications indicating that it’s too hot to charge.
While fast chargers can be tempting for their quick power-up capabilities, experts advise caution. Datta explains that slow charging is generally preferable, as fast charging can generate excess heat, which in turn can degrade the battery over time. Heat is not only detrimental to battery health but can also pose safety risks; there have been instances of phones catching fire due to overheated batteries.
If you are concerned about your phone’s battery performance, most smartphones provide options to check battery health within their settings. Alternatively, you can visit a professional service at stores like Apple or Samsung for a thorough battery health assessment. Datta recommends considering a battery replacement if your battery health falls below 80%.
In summary, there are several straightforward practices you can adopt to maintain your smartphone battery's health throughout its lifespan. By understanding when to charge your device, how to avoid extremes in battery levels, and being cautious with charging speeds, you can significantly enhance the durability and performance of your phone's battery. Following these tips can help you enjoy a longer-lasting smartphone experience.
