Sure you have read all kinds of information about how to get better use out of the battery life on your phone. We are all looking for ways to increase the amount of time these tiny computers give to us in a day. How frustrating is it to be waiting somewhere with nothing to do and your phone’s battery craps out on you? We have all been there, left with no way to get in touch with anyone. Since you can’t be plugged into a phone charger all day, there are some things you need to know about battery. The question is, what is fact, and what is fiction? With all of the conflicting information out there, how do you know what to do and what not to do. Here is what you need to know about the battery in your phone.
Fact or Fiction: You Should Let Your Phone Battery Completely Die Before Re-Charging
Jury says that this is fiction; while it once held true that you should allow your battery to completely die before recharging, it is no longer necessary. Rechargeable batteries of today are lithium-ion batteries, not made of nickel. Older batteries were made of nickel and they suffered from a memory effect, which caused them to forget how to charge if they weren’t completely discharged from time to time. The fact is, lithium-ion batteries will actually suffer damage if they die 100%. Your phone is designed to shut off before the battery fully dies.
Fact or Fiction: Extreme Heat or Extreme Cold Environments Will Damage Your Battery
Exposing your battery to extreme heat or freezing environments will absolutely damage the battery. This is an actual fact. While it can be helpful to store batteries in the refrigerator or moderately cool places to prolong life, it is damaging to keep them in freezing temperatures. Also, leaving them in very hot places will cause damage to them as well. Try to avoid direct sunlight or other places that will expose the phone to excessive heat.
Fact or Fiction: You Can Preserve the Discharge Cycles of Your Battery by Leaving it Plugged in
This is most certainly a false statement. Your battery would suffer from overcharging, however most phone chargers have built in safeties that keep your battery from getting to that point. While it isn’t unsafe to keep your phone plugged in all of the time, it isn’t helpful either. For one thing, it makes your device hotter, which we already discussed was bad for your battery. On the other hand, shallow discharges can actually help your battery stay in shape. Allowing the battery to die about halfway and then recharge gives it a good workout, so to speak. You can alternate this practice with letting the battery life reach 90% and then recharging as well.
Fact or Fiction: Airplane Mode Will Help Your Phone Charge Faster
When I first read about this battery charging trick, I was really excited. I had high hopes that by switching my phone to airplane mode, I might be able to cut the charging time in half. Upon further investigation, here is what I found: technically, this is a fact, airplane mode will charge your phone a little bit faster. By a little bit faster, you might possibly shave 5 minutes off the total charging time with this tactic. If you are in a really big hurry, 5 minutes might be worth it, but I kind of doubt it.
Fact or Fiction: Don’t Use a Phone That is Plugged in or it Will Damage the Battery
How many times have you set next to the wall with your phone plugged in while you were texting or surfing the web? I know I have done this countless times. Despite the rumors that are circulating around, this statement is false, it is not harmful to your battery to use it while it is plugged in.
Now that you know the truth concerning your phone battery, you can feel more ease about caring for your battery. Despite your best efforts, you should know that at some point, you will have to replace your battery. You might avoid replacing it as often, but you will need to replace it one day.
