When buying a refurbished phone, one of the smartest things you can do is check the battery health—not just how long it lasts on a full charge. This one detail can tell you a lot about how well the phone will perform day-to-day. Let’s break it all down in simple terms, and go over 5 easy charging tips that can help you get the most out of your battery.
Battery Health vs. Battery Life: What’s the Difference?
These two terms sound similar, but they’re not the same:
Battery health is a measure of how well your battery holds a charge compared to when it was new. Over time, all phone batteries slowly wear out.
Battery life is how long your phone lasts on a single charge in a day, depending on what you’re doing—like watching videos, gaming, or just texting.
A phone can still go from 0% to 100% when charging, but if the battery health is low, it won’t last as long between charges.
Why Battery Health Matters with Refurbished Phones
If you’re buying a refurbished phone, battery health is key. A battery with low health (below 80%) might not last you through the day and could need replacing soon.
Apple recommends replacing the battery once it hits 79% health or lower, as that’s when performance starts to suffer.
At The Big Phone Store, all refurbished phones come with at least 85% battery health, and “Like New” models start at 95% or higher. You can even choose to upgrade to 100% battery health at checkout for the best performance.
5 Charging Tips to Help Your Battery Last Longer
Here are some lesser-known but super effective ways to keep your battery in top shape:
1. Stay Between 20% and 80%
It’s better not to let your battery hit 0% or stay at 100% for long periods. Charging to full and draining to empty every day puts stress on the battery. Try to keep it in that 20–80% range as much as you can.
2. Avoid Extreme Heat and Cold
Batteries don’t like it too hot or too cold. Leaving your phone on the dashboard of a hot car or using it in freezing weather can shorten its lifespan. Aim to keep it at room temperature when possible.
3. Use Certified Chargers
Stick with original or certified charging cables and adapters. Cheap or off-brand chargers can damage your battery over time or even be unsafe.
4. Turn On Power-Saving Features
Most phones have built-in battery-saving modes. These can reduce background activity, lower screen brightness, and turn off non-essential functions, all of which help extend your battery life.
5. Close Background Apps & Features
Bluetooth, GPS, and unused apps running in the background all use up power. Turn off what you don’t need and close apps that aren’t in use.
Keep an Eye on Your Battery Health
Most smartphones let you check battery health in the settings. It’s a handy habit to get into—especially if your phone is over two years old. On average, phone batteries last 2 to 3 years, or around 500 charge cycles, before their capacity starts to drop significantly.
Final Thoughts
Battery health is more than just a number, it affects your phone’s performance, how often you need to charge, and how long it will last overall. If you’re in the market for a refurbished phone, always check the battery health guarantee. And whether your phone is new or used, follow these smart charging habits to make your battery last longer.
Looking for more tips? Check out our blog for guides on iPhone and Samsung battery health, and how to get the best value when buying refurbished.
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