Smartphones dominate the world of lithium-ion batteries, sparking continuous debate about the famous charging issue: does prolonged charging (or overnight charging) lead to battery damage?
Several factors determine the lifespan of a phone battery, including manufacturing age and chemical age. Chemical age refers to the gradual deterioration of the battery due to changes such as temperature fluctuations, charging and discharging patterns, and general usage.
Over time, chemical aging of lithium-ion batteries leads to a reduction in charging capacity, battery lifespan, and performance.
According to Apple, the regular iPhone battery is designed to retain up to 80% of its original capacity after 500 complete charge cycles under normal operating conditions.
Research conducted in 2019 found that smartphone batteries typically undergo an average of 850 full charge/discharge cycles before their capacity drops below 80%. This means that only 80% of the initial battery capacity remains after approximately two to three years of use, at which point the battery starts depleting noticeably.
Should you charge your phone overnight?
Most new-generation smartphones take between 30 minutes to two hours to fully charge. Charging times vary based on the device's battery capacity, with larger capacities requiring more time. The amount of power provided by the charger should also be considered.
Charging your phone overnight is not only unnecessary but also accelerates the battery aging process. Therefore, avoiding full charge cycles (from 0% to 100%) is advisable to maximize battery life.
According to Samsung, frequent 100% charging may negatively impact the overall battery life.
Similarly, keeping iPhones fully charged for extended periods may harm the battery's health. Instead of fully charging the battery, it is recommended to charge it to around 80% and not let it drop below 20%.
Can you overcharge your phone?
In theory, lithium-ion batteries can be overcharged, leading to safety risks such as increased battery temperature and even ignition. The good news is that most modern phones have built-in protection that automatically stops charging the battery beyond 100%, preventing any damage from overcharging.
However, every time the battery level drops to 99% (due to background app activities), the battery undergoes a partial charge, initiating charging again to maintain a full charge.
Intermittent charging may reduce battery lifespan over time, which is why many manufacturers have mechanisms to regulate charging. Apple's iPhones, for example, feature technology to delay charging beyond 80%, while Samsung Galaxy phones offer the option to set the charging limit to 85%.
Can your phone explode from charging?
It is unlikely that a smartphone will explode due to charging, especially since most phones now have automatic protection against overcharging.
However, over the years, there have been reports of some phones unexpectedly exploding. This usually occurs due to manufacturing defects, low-quality or faulty hardware, or exposure to physical damage or shocks.
The temperature of lithium-ion batteries increases when heat generated during charging cannot be dissipated. This may lead to burns or, in some specific cases, fire outbreaks.
Using an inappropriate, defective, or poor-quality charger or charging cable can also increase the temperature, raising the risk of fire and damaging the phone itself.
Tips to improve battery life:
Although the phone may have built-in safety mechanisms to protect its battery, following a cautious approach will make it last longer. Here are some ways to protect your phone battery:
Install the latest operating system updates to keep your phone up to date with the latest battery efficiency improvements provided by the manufacturer.
Use original or approved chargers, as the quality of the power they deliver (amperes, volts, watts) may vary among third-party chargers available in the market, and they may not meet required safety standards.
Avoid exposing the phone to high temperatures, as both Apple and Samsung state that their phones operate best at temperatures ranging from 0 to 35 degrees Celsius.
Limit charging the phone to 80% of its full capacity, and do not let it drop below 20%.
Do not leave the phone charging for an extended period, such as overnight, and disconnect it from the power source when the battery reaches 100%.
Ensure the phone is charged in a well-ventilated area, and avoid placing it or the charger under a blanket, pillow, or body while connected to a power source.
Monitor the health of the phone battery and use it to identify harmful habits, such as excessively long charging times or frequent deep discharges.
Immediately contact an authorized service center if you notice a significant increase in phone temperature or if the back appears swollen.
If a person wants clearer details about the phone and its battery, the best option is to follow the manufacturer's guidelines.
