In the world of lithium-ion batteries, smartphones take center stage. However, it has also generated ongoing controversy; Will charging for a long time (or overnight) damage your battery?
There are a number of factors that determine a phone’s battery life, including manufacturing age and chemical age. The latter refers to the gradual deterioration of the battery due to variables such as temperature fluctuations, charging and discharging patterns, and general use.
Over time, chemical aging of lithium-ion batteries reduces charging capacity, battery life, and performance.
According to Apple, a regular iPhone battery is designed to retain up to 80% of its original capacity at 500 full charge cycles when operating under normal conditions. Research found that a 2019 smartphone battery could undergo, on average, 850 full charge/discharge cycles before dropping below 80% of its capacity; This means that only 80% of the initial battery capacity remains after about two to three years of use. At this point, the battery begins to run out noticeably faster, according to a new report quoted by “Science Alert” from the prestigious scientific website “The Conversation”.
Do you have to charge your phone overnight?
Most new generation smartphones will take between 30 minutes and two hours to fully charge.
Charging times vary depending on your device’s battery capacity; Larger capacities require more time, as well as the amount of power the charger provides.
Charging your phone overnight is not only unnecessary, but it also accelerates battery aging. Therefore, full charging cycles (0% to 100%) should be avoided to maximize battery life.
In this context, Samsung says: “Charging the battery up to 100% repeatedly may negatively affect the overall life of the battery. Likewise, keeping iPhones fully charged for long periods of time may harm battery health. Instead of fully charging the battery, it is recommended to charge the battery up to 80% and not allow it to drop below 20%.”
Can your phone be overcharged?
In theory, lithium-ion batteries can be overcharged. But this can lead to safety risks such as battery overheating and fire. However, the good news is that most modern phones have built-in protection that automatically stops the battery from charging beyond 100%, preventing any damage resulting from overcharging. However, every time the battery level drops to 99% (due to apps running in the background), “intermittent charging” will occur; It will start charging again to maintain a full charge state. Intermittent charging can lead to battery wear and tear over time. That’s why many manufacturers have features to regulate it. Apple iPhones offer a charging delay function of more than 80%. While Samsung Galaxy phones provide the option to specify a charging rate of 85%.
Can your phone explode from charging?
Your smartphone is unlikely to explode as a result of charging; Especially since most phones now have automatic protection against overcharging. However, over the years we have seen numerous reports of phones exploding unexpectedly. This is usually caused by manufacturing defects, poor quality hardware, or physical damage. The temperature of lithium-ion phone batteries rises when the heat generated during charging cannot be dissipated. This may cause burns, or in extreme cases, a fire. In addition, these batteries operate effectively within a temperature range of 0°C to 40°C. It may expand when ambient temperatures rise, which could lead to a fire or explosion.
Using an incorrect, defective, or poor quality charger or cable can also lead to overheating, fire risks, and damage to the phone itself.
Tips to boost battery life
Although your phone may have built-in safety mechanisms to protect its battery, a cautious approach will make it last longer.
Here are some ways to protect your phone’s battery:
– Install the latest software updates to keep your phone up to date with battery efficiency improvements offered by the manufacturer
– Use original or certified power chargers, as power delivery (amps, volts and watts) can vary in off-market chargers and may not meet required safety standards
– Avoid exposing your phone to high temperatures. Apple and Samsung say that their phones work best at ambient temperatures ranging from 0 to 35 degrees Celsius.
– Limit your charge to 80% of full capacity and do not let it drop below 20%.
– Do not leave your phone charging for a long time, for example overnight, and disconnect it from the power source if the battery reaches 100%.
– Keep your phone in a well-ventilated area while charging and avoid placing it or placing the charger under a blanket, pillow, or your body while connected to a power source.
– Monitor your battery health and use it to identify unusual trends, such as taking too long to charge, or draining the battery quickly. If you notice that your phone is overheating, or its back is swollen, contact an authorized service center to have it checked and repaired. If you want specific details about your phone and battery, the best option is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
