Cell Phone Battery Myths Debunked

Posted on May 8th 2018

How do you charge?

While cell phones increasingly aim to make our lives easier, one area where confusion remains consistent is the battery & charging. Do you charge it at 0%, 50% or 75%? Do you leave it plugged in for long or short periods of time? It’s no wonder there is so much speculation and confusion around how to properly care for the battery that will define how your phone works for you.

Thus, we set out to tackle a few myths that may be draining your battery and fast charging confusion.

MYTH: Let Your Battery Percentage Drop Low Prior to Charging VERDICT: This is definitely the most sought-after of answers when it comes to battery life and quite a common misconception. While many theories exist online, the answer to this question is actually NO. And, not only is it no, but the answer to how to maintain a long-lasting battery life is quite the opposite—keep your battery between 30 and 80 percent. Allowing your battery to get very low or even to 0 percent and then charging to 100 is likely to cause more issues than fewer.
	MYTH: Long-Term Charging Kills the Battery VERDICT: The short of the long answer to this is NO. Built inside of tablets, smartphones and laptops is extra protection that stops the phone from “over-charging” should it be left plugged in overnight or for long periods. Caveats: A couple things to keep in mind here; phones that are charging create heat, so keep the phone in an open setting where nothing is around, near or on top of it. Secondly, be careful purchasing cables that are not certified because issues can arise.
MYTH: Freezing My Battery Prevents Problems VERDICT: You may freeze or refrigerate your Energizer batteries, but your phone’s battery isn’t an Energizer, so don’t do it. Lithium-ion batteries don’t do well in either extreme cold or heat, so you’re not doing your phone or your battery any favors.
	MYTH: How I Charge Doesn’t Affect My Battery VERDICT: With US consumers holding on to their phones for longer periods of time and many consumers opting for refurbished devices, this question holds more importance than it has in the past. If you only have your phone for an average of 9 to 12 months, then your charging patterns won’t matter, but if you’re looking to hold on to your phone for longer, then paying attention to how you charge will definitely help the lifespan of your charge cycles.

Please feel free to contact us at any time for more information. 310.220.2250 or sales@cellularforless.com