Discover the Mistakes That Shorten Your Phone’s Battery Life and Learn Practical Tips to Extend It

Charging your phone is a routine part of modern life. Most people plug in their devices before bed, letting them charge to 100% overnight, ready for another day of usage. It’s a habit that many don’t think twice about – until their battery life starts to noticeably decline.

Over time, all phone batteries begin to lose their capacity, leading to shorter periods between charges. What once lasted a full workday might now barely make it past lunchtime. This decline is due to the lithium-ion batteries used in most mobile devices, which gradually degrade with every charge cycle.

Lithium-ion batteries are used in many devices, including laptops, tablets, electric vehicles, and even e-cigarettes, because they pack a lot of energy into a small space and charge quickly. However, they are not immune to wear and tear. According to Sandeep Unnikrishnan, chief technology officer at battery tech firm Lionvolt, these batteries typically last about 500 charge cycles or two to three years before their performance significantly drops.

The way you charge your phone has a big impact on its battery health. One common mistake is keeping the battery level at 100% for long periods, which puts extra strain on the battery and accelerates its decline. Instead, Unnikrishnan suggests maintaining the battery between 20% and 80% for optimal cycle life.

Charging your phone overnight may be convenient, but it can also harm the battery if it stays at 100% for hours. A better approach is to charge it during the day when you can unplug it once it reaches around 80%. This habit reduces stress on the battery and helps it last longer.

Temperature also plays a crucial role in battery health. Extreme heat or cold can degrade the battery’s components, reducing its efficiency and lifespan. Using your phone while it’s charging generates extra heat, which speeds up chemical degradation inside the battery. To avoid this, it’s best to let your phone charge undisturbed.

Another common mistake is using cheap, non-standard chargers. These can deliver inconsistent current or voltage, potentially overheating your device and damaging the battery. It’s always safer to use the charger recommended by your phone’s manufacturer, even if it’s more expensive.

Fast chargers are another popular choice, as they reduce waiting time. However, frequent use of high-speed charging can shorten your battery’s lifespan due to the heat generated during the rapid power transfer. For long-term battery health, it’s better to use standard chargers whenever possible.

Newer smartphones come with built-in battery management systems designed to optimise charging patterns. For example, iPhones offer an “Optimised Battery Charging” feature that delays charging beyond 80% until just before you typically wake up. Similarly, many Android devices have an “Adaptive Charging” mode that manages power more efficiently.

In 2023, the European Union passed a regulation requiring all electronic devices sold in the EU to have easily replaceable batteries by 2027. This move is aimed at reducing electronic waste and prolonging device lifespans, which is great news for consumers who want to keep their phones for longer.

Until then, adopting better charging habits is the best way to extend your phone’s battery life. Keeping the charge level between 20% and 80%, avoiding overnight charging, using the recommended charger, and protecting your phone from extreme temperatures can all help.

Ultimately, maintaining good charging practices can significantly extend your device’s lifespan, saving you the cost and hassle of frequent upgrades. And while cutting down on screen time could also help, it’s safe to say that’s easier said than done!