Smartphones and other devices predominantly utilize 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐮𝐦-𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, which have specific charging requirements to maximize their lifespan.
Research indicates that maintaining a charge level between 20% and 80% significantly enhances battery lifespan.
This guideline stems from the chemistry of lithium-ion batteries, which are 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬.
Charging a lithium-ion battery to 100% can create stress due to increased voltage, which leads to elevated temperatures that degrade battery materials over time.
According to experts, a fully charged battery generates heat, especially during usage, which accelerates wear on the battery's internal components.
Conversely, allowing the battery to drop below 20% can also be detrimental, as deep discharges can lead to lithium plating — an irreversible condition that reduces capacity and efficiency.
So what should you do? Aside from trying your best to 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐚𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝟐𝟎%, you should also make sure that the battery will 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝟏𝟎𝟎% 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐝.
Lastly, latest gadgets already have a feature called 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 that can intelligently manage charging patterns to maintain the charge within the ideal range.
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By: Jan Luis Antoc
5 January 2025
