Since cell phones exist, one of the most important points for users is battery life and taking care of it to extend its useful life; and is that, being mobile devices, their autonomy is extremely important, since they do not always have a charger or plug to connect them.
Is it good or bad to leave the cell phone connected all night? Do you have to wait until the battery reaches 0% to charge it? Does putting the phone in airplane mode speed up charging? Do you need to turn off your cell phone from time to time to extend the life of its battery? Then discover 9 myths and truths like these about how to optimize charging and extend the life of mobile batteries.
1. Putting the cell phone in airplane mode while charging speeds up the process
True … but it doesn’t do much good.
This is technically true, since since the phone is doing less work, the battery charges faster; however, the speed difference is minimal: about 4 minutes per full charge time.
2. Having Wi-Fi and Bluetooth active shortens battery life
Certain.
In addition to the screen, one of the biggest energy consumptions is the amount the phone spends when searching for and connecting to Wi-Fi or data networks, or when searching for and connecting to Bluetooth devices. If you have ever noticed that the battery goes down quickly while you are going in the subway or you are in an area with poor coverage, it is probably because the cell phone is working extra to connect to a network.
3. Using an unofficial charger damages your phone’s battery
Certain.
Not all mobile chargers are created equal and that could have a detrimental effect on battery life. Chargers have controls that limit the amount of current delivered and stop charging when the battery is full, but some may not have such rigorous safety settings, especially generic ones, which are made by unrecognized brands.
4. Charging the cell phone through the USB port of the computer damages the battery.
Fake.
The only thing that happens here is that the battery will take longer to charge than if you connect it directly to the electrical current, however, this is not all bad (unless you are in a hurry). The slower a battery charges, the less stress is applied to the lithium ions and the structures that contain them, and the less potential damage to the battery. That is why manufacturers impose limits on devices so that they do not charge too quickly.
5. Turning off the cell phone from time to time helps extend battery life.
Fake.
This myth comes from the batteries that were used before the arrival of lithium-ion batteries: nickel metal hydride. In them, it was impossible to get an accurate reading of the charge level, unless it was completely discharged and then recharged. Hence the idea that it was necessary to turn off the devices. However, in lithium-ion batteries that is no longer the case, as they can read their status regardless of their charge level, so it makes no difference to turn off the cell phone or not.
6. Batteries work worse when cold
Fake.
In fact, it’s the opposite. Keeping the battery cool is much better for its lifespan. Conversely, exposing it to high temperatures is a much more likely way to damage it and reduce its overall lifespan. That is why it is not recommended to leave the phone in the sun or in hot places, such as inside a closed car. But this does not mean that you should put the air conditioning or keep your phone in a cold place, because it is at room temperature and in the shade is enough.
7. You must let the battery drop to 0% to connect your cell phone
Fake.
Oddly enough, batteries are under the greatest strain when they are fully charged or completely empty. The true sweet spot for a battery is 50% charged, as that means half of its mobile lithium ions are in the lithium cobalt oxide layer and half in the graphite layer. This balance puts the least amount of stress on the battery and extends the number of charge cycles it can withstand before degrading. So it is best to put your phone to charge when it is around 20%.
8. Leaving the cell phone connected when it is 100% will damage its battery
Certain.
This is related to the previous point, but that is not because it has more charge than it can handle, as the charger mechanism cuts power after the phone reaches 100% charge and only recharges the battery when go down a bit. The problem is that the charge level is maintained at 100%, which, as mentioned in the previous point, puts the battery under a certain voltage. That is why it is not recommended to leave the phone connected overnight.
9. Replacing your phone’s battery gives it a new life
Certain.
Over time, cell phone batteries degrade. A smartphone battery operates at optimal capacity for about two to three years. The good news is that in many cases it is enough to change the battery so that your cell phone has a new look, and thus avoid spending on a new one for a while longer.