There are a lot of myths and misconceptions regarding cellphone charging, creating many cellphone charging questions. Some of these date back to the era of nickel cadmium batteries, but we want to help with your cellphone charging needs by offering some information and charging tips.
While a typical smartphone battery can be changed for about $20, an Apple iPhone battery replacement is going to run you $79, unless you have an AppleCare extended warranty. Therefore, protecting your device’s battery for longevity’s sake is a good idea.
Should I Wait Until the Charge Drops Down to 0% Before Charging?
This is a really good question to ask. Since most modern smartphones, tablets, and laptops use a lithium-ion battery, which differs from nickel cadmium batteries, there is no longer any “memory effect” that causes rechargeable batteries to hold less charge. The ideal method is to keep your device charged at 50% or more as often as possible. If it drops to below 50%, charge it, but try to avoid charging it all the way to 100%, as this diminishes a battery’s lifespan.
In short, don’t allow your battery to get below 20% and only charge to 100% once a month, as this recalibrates the battery.
Does Leaving My Smartphone Charging Overnight Damage the Battery?
Today’s modern smartphones know to stop charging when they reach 100% capacity. Units have built-in chips that prevent further charging once 100% has been reached. While charging to 100% repeatedly may lower the battery’s overall capacity over time, it won’t damage the phone. However, if you leave your phone in its case, it may overheat, and that will damage the battery.
Does Using Fast Charging or Wireless Charging Harm My Phone?
Most phones have fast-charging options or can support fast charging. This is known as Qualcomm Quick Charge, Adaptive Fast Charging, or Apple Fast Charging. Fast charging tends to work from 0% to 79% of a phone’s capacity, as batteries need “step charging” that tapers off to normal speeds during the last phase for safety reasons. Generally, the condition of the battery matters a lot: if it’s in good condition with no aging cells, fast charging should be okay.
Wireless charging would only be harmful if the device was kept in a near-constant state of 100% charge, as this damages the electrolyte that transports electricity into your battery. Using fast charging all the time will limit the capacity of your battery.
Is Heating up of Phones While Charging Normal?
Overheating or extreme heat is dangerous to your smartphone. Lithium-ion batteries can degrade under extreme heat. Apple states that temperatures above 95℉ (35°C) “permanently damage battery capacity.”
Why Isn’t My Phone Charging?
If your phone won’t charge, or if it stops charging at a specific point, then the first step would be to use up all the power and then charge it back to 100%. This will recalibrate the battery. If that doesn’t work, it might be time to replace your battery.
Can I Use My Phone While It’s Charging?
You absolutely can use your phone while it is still charging. This will not cause you to get electrocuted (although a substandard USB charger was believed to be the culprit when a woman died in Australia in 2014). It will just take longer to fully charge.
Does Turning off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and Using Airplane Mode Improve Battery Life?
It can definitely improve your battery life marginally to use fewer settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS location services. Airplane mode will save battery power somewhat. However, this is an irritating tradeoff, since smartphones are designed to continuously provide us with service.
The brightness of your display screen can sap up to 80% of your battery’s power on maximum settings, so it’s best to turn down the screen’s brightness or use auto brightness.
What Do I Do if My Phone Gets Wet?
The most important time to be patient is when your phone gets drenched with water. You need to avoid charging it or trying to see if it works. Simply power it off, as the contact between the electric current and water can damage your phone. No phone, no matter how new, is completely waterproof.
Placing the phone in a bag with rice might not work as well as leaving it out, according to some sources. You may be able to turn to companies that specialize in drying phones out, depending on your location.
What Are Some Ways to Improve Battery Life?
The typical smartphone battery’s capacity starts to diminish in between 300 and 500 charges. Apple states that its iPhones are able to retain 80% of their original charging capacity at 500 charge cycles. Apple Watches and iPads are said to retain 80% charging capacity at 1,000 complete charges.
Can I Use Any Charger?
You should be wary of substandard or incompatible chargers. They can cause improper charging and overheating, and in some rare cases they may have caused fatalities. Use only the type of charger that is recommended by the device manufacturer. Ideally, look for a high-quality charger that will work for your smartphone, tablet, and other devices.
How Ohming Technology Helps Preserve Cellphone Batteries
Ohming Technology’s Charge M.E. is a premium multiport USB charger that can safely charge most Android and Apple smartphones, as well as other devices like tablets, laptops, and older legacy phones. The Charge M.E.’s ability to simultaneously charge multiple devices and its full support for USB-C connectors make it convenient when you need fully charged devices and don’t want to compromise your precious battery life.
The Charge M.E. is designed to be versatile, compatible, and durable and it comes with a one-year warranty. Our USB multi-device charger will be able to keep your device supplied with power for all of your needs. Contact us today for more information, or shop online.
Paul Romanenko
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