Charging Your Smartphone The Right Way

You've been charging your smartphone wrong

Yes, we know. Our smartphone batteries are bad because they barely last a day. But it's partially our fault because we've been charging them wrong this whole time.

Many of us have an ingrained notion that charging our smartphones in small bursts will cause long-term damage to their batteries, and that it's better to charge them when they're close to dead. But we couldn't be more wrong.

If fact, a site from battery company Cadex called Battery University details how the lithium-ion batteries in our smartphones are sensitive to their own versions of "stress." And, like for humans, extended stress could be damaging your smartphone battery's long-term lifespan.

If you want to keep your smartphone battery in top condition and go about your day without worrying about battery life, you need to change a few things.

1. Don't keep it plugged in when it's fully charged

According to Battery University, leaving your phone plugged in when it's fully charged, like you might overnight, is bad for the battery in the long run. Once your smartphone has reached 100% charge, it gets "trickle charges" to keep it at 100% while plugged in. It keeps the battery in a high-stress, high-tension state, which wears down the chemistry within.

2. In fact, try not to charge it to 100%

At least when you don't have to. According to Battery University, "Li-ion does not need to be fully charged, nor is it desirable to do so. In fact, it is better not to fully charge, because a high voltage stresses the battery" and wears it away in the long run. That might seem counterintuitive if you're trying to keep your smartphone charged all day, but just plug it in whenever you can during the day, and you'll be fine.

3. Plug in your phone whenever you can

It turns out that the batteries in our smartphones are much happier if you charge them occasionally throughout the day instead of plugging them in for a big charging session when they're empty. Charging your phone when it loses 10% of its charge would be the best-case scenario, according to Battery University. Obviously, that's not practical for most people, so just plug in your smartphone whenever you can. It's fine to plug and unplug it multiple times a day.

4. Keep it cool

Smartphone batteries are so sensitive to heat that Apple itself suggests you remove certain cases that insulate heat from your iPhone when you charge it. "If you notice that your device gets hot when you charge it, take it out of its case first." If you're out in the hot sun, keep your phone covered. It'll protect your battery's health.

(Culled from Bussiness Insider UK)

I hope this article has been helpful to you. Take care of your smart buddy and he will be ready to work for you anytime. If you have additional ways you think you can prolong our smart phonr battery lives, please drop your comments below.