Almost everyone has a smartphone these days, which we use mainly to access our social media accounts, emails, games, news and much more. In such a scenario, it can sometimes become a nightmare when our smartphone battery suddenly runs out when we need it the most. As a result, charging smartphones regularly on a daily basis has become a necessity. It also becomes even more important to understand how we should take care of our smartphone battery and extend its lifespan!
However, there are many myths surrounding smartphone charging, such as “you shouldn’t use your phone while charging,” “always let it discharge completely,” “don’t leave it plugged in overnight,” and many more.
While smartphone batteries have evolved so much over the years, making them smarter and easier to manage, the myths behind charging persist.
In this article, we present to you the truth behind five big myths surrounding charging.
Myth 1: Don't use your smartphone while it's charging
Truth: You can use smartphone while it's charging, as long as you're using a good quality charger that's in good condition. In other words, as long as you're not using a non-genuine charger, you can use your phone if you want.
Myth 2: Using off-brand or non-brand chargers will damage your smartphone battery
Truth: To an extent! While unbranded or white-label chargers are fine, it’s the cheap knockoff chargers that should be avoided at all costs. The bottom line is that if the charger is sold by a reputable store, then it’s safe (all non-branded chargers are approved by a governing body). It should be noted that while off-brand chargers are obviously not as good as the official ones, they work just fine.
Myth 3: Don't leave your smartphone charging overnight, as this damages the battery
Truth: Your smartphone is smarter than you think. Once it's fully charged, it stops charging. This means the battery isn't even being used. Your battery life will last longer if you keep your smartphone charged between 40% and 80%.
Myth 4: Turning off your smartphone is good for its battery
Truth: Even a machine needs breaks, just like people. In order to maximize battery life, experts agree that turning off your smartphone at least once a week helps preserve its battery life longer, especially when you go to bed at night.
Myth 5: Don't charge your smartphone until it's completely discharged
Truth: Waiting until your battery is completely drained before charging it can also be called “deep charging,” which is actually bad for your battery. Instead, charge your battery when it reaches around 40%. Your battery has a finite number of charge cycles, and every time it goes completely drained, you lose another cycle.
In addition to the above, it should be noted that heat damages a battery. Lithium-ion batteries heat up on their own and become hotter when charged. Similarly, very cold weather can also have a negative impact on the life of a smartphone, as a cold battery will drain faster than usual in cold temperatures.
Your smartphone will be safe if you keep it within the recommended temperatures. Samsung guarantees that its smartphones can operate anywhere between -4 and 122 degrees. On the other hand, Apple says that 0 degrees Celsius is the lowest recommended temperature for an iPhone's environment.
