Smartphone batteries typically last for around 500 charge cycles, but with a few simple steps, you can significantly extend their lifespan. Here’s how you can keep your battery healthy and get the most out of it!
Types of Smartphone Batteries
All modern smartphones use a lithium-based battery – either lithium-ion (Li-ion) or lithium polymer (Li-pol). Lithium batteries degrade slightly each time there are recharged, with Li-pol batteries usually lasting longer.
How Many Times can you Recharge Your Phone?
Smartphone batteries are rated for 300 to 700 charge cycles, depending on the battery type. A newer Li-pol battery is usually rated for at least 500 cycles. However, these numbers can vary based on how you use and charge your device.
What is a Charge Cycle?
A charge cycle occurs when you fully drain your battery and then recharge it to 100%. For example, if you drain your battery to 50% twice and recharge it each time, that counts as one full charge cycle. If you fully drain your battery daily, you could see a noticeable reduction in battery health within a year.
Not all charge cycles are equal, though. The good news is that there are ways to prolong your battery’s life significantly.
How to Prolong Your Battery Life
Most battery degradation occurs when the charging voltage is high, such as when the battery is close to full or nearly empty. To extend your battery’s life, avoid fully charging or fully draining your phone. Studies show that reducing the charging voltage by just 0.1 volts can double the number of charge cycles.
Additionally, avoiding overnight charging can make a significant difference.
85% Battery at The Big Phone Store
Here at The Big Phone Store, we ensure that all of our refurbished tech has at least 85% battery life, allowing you to stay connected wherever you go!
All batteries sold by us come with a 3-month warranty against faults arising from normal levels of use, for more information, visit our Warranty page.
Debunking the Full Drain Myth
You may have heard that fully draining and then fully charging your battery is beneficial.
However, this advice applies to older nickel-cadmium batteries, not modern lithium-based ones used in today’s smartphones.
Factors That Can Degrade Your Battery
Avoid dropping or bumping your phone, as physical damage can shorten battery life.
Both excessive heat and cold can degrade battery performance and lifespan. Never charge your phone under a pillow or in a hot environment.
Using poor-quality chargers or frequently fast-charging your phone can expose your battery to higher voltages, leading to quicker degradation. Many modern smartphones feature ‘optimised charging’ settings to mitigate this risk.
How Can I Make my Battery Last Longer?
Here are our top tips for making your battery last as long as possible:
- Avoid Full Drains: Keep some charge left in your battery before recharging to reduce wear.
- Limit Charging to 100%: Use features like ‘optimised battery charging’ to avoid overcharging.
- Use the Right Charger: Always use the charger provided with your phone or a high-quality replacement.
- Limit Fast Charging: Fast charging is convenient but can stress your battery if used frequently. Use it sparingly.
- Utilise Battery-Saving Settings: Reduce strain on your battery by closing unnecessary background apps and using power-saving modes.
- Keep Software Updated: Software updates can include features to help maintain battery health.
- Protect Your Device: Use a case, avoid extreme temperatures, and store the device at around 50% charge if not used for extended periods.
Montoring Battery Health
Remember, all batteries degrade over time, but by following these tips, you can maximise the lifespan of your smartphone’s lithium-ion battery. Many modern smartphones allow you to monitor battery health in the settings menu—make use of this feature to stay informed about your battery’s condition.
By taking these steps, you can ensure your phone’s battery stays healthy for as long as possible, giving you better performance and peace of mind.
