We all know the frustration of having a smartphone whose battery seems barely able to last a day. Rather than point the finger at our phones for the inconvenience, there are some simple changes we can make to extend our battery life. Battery University, a site from battery company Cadex, explains that the lithium-ion batteries in smartphones can experience their own version of “stress,” which can damage the battery. Practice these charging tips to de-stress your battery and lengthen its charge life.
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1. Unplug Your Phone When It’s Fully Charged – Battery University explains that your battery needs time to bounce back after a charging session. When your smartphone hits the 100% charge, it continues to get small charges to keep it at 100% while plugged in. These extra charges wear down the battery’s chemistry over time by holding the battery in a high-stress state.
2. Try Not to Charge Your Phone to 100% – If you can keep your phone charged and avoid leaving it on the charger for long periods of time, you’re battery life will thank you. Battery University, explains that because high voltages stress the battery, charging to 100% will wear it away over time.
3. Plug In Your Phone More Often – Practicing charging your phone throughout the day not only ensures that your battery is juiced up, it also keeps your smartphone’s battery performing optimally for longer. Smartphone batteries tend to last longer and hold a charge better when you charge often. This strategy also makes using energy-hogging apps easier (think location-based features that use your smartphone’s GPS antenna) because you’ll have the charge.
4. Be Cool – Smartphone batteries are ultra sensitive to heat, so much so that Apple itself suggests that you take off certain cases if they trap heat while your phone is charging. Watch the temperature of your phone when it’s off the charger too; leaving it in the sun while you lounge poolside could also diminish battery power, so keep it covered.
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