You're probably charging your phone wrong
Here are four misconceptions about phone batteries.
You don't need a science degree to learn more about your phone.
However, many people complain about their phones' battery life. (Some users more than others.)
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Unfortunately, your phone won't last forever, no matter how well you look after it.
If you are looking to take better care of your smartphone, here are some details that may help you extend its battery life.
How do batteries work?
According to Mental Floss, "The lithium-ion batteries found inside smartphones work by moving an electrical charge via lithium ions from one electrode (conductor) to another."
When the phone is charging, the ions move in one direction, discharging the other and powering the electrical current.
Any movement of these ions stresses the battery, degrading over time. You could be hastening its gradual decline by causing unnecessary stress to your phone battery.
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Four misconceptions about phone batteries
- Charging your phone overnight isn't safe
There has been much discourse about overnight charging, which is a big no-no regarding safety and battery maintenance.
This is one of the biggest phone battery myths that needs to be debunked. Newer phones have an Optimized Battery Charging feature. This feature allows you to set your device so it doesn't charge more than 80 percent when connected to a charge for extended periods.
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Most devices have built-in protection to prevent overloading, but there are a few ways to ensure your phone doesn't overheat. Don't leave your charging phone next to any combustible material, take your phone case off at night, and keep it free from other items, e.g., your pillow.
- Faster charging on airplane mode
Technically, the less your phone is doing, the faster it will charge, so turning off "always on" features like Wi-Fi and GPS tracking will help.
Your phone might charge slightly faster, but the difference is minimal.
- Charging through a computer causes problems
Some experts claim that using a computer to charge your phone could cause overheating. Although excessive heat exposure could damage your phone, charging your device via a computer is not inherently bad.
If anything, the lower charging voltages from laptops compared to wall chargers could be beneficial, placing less overall stress on your phone’s battery because it takes longer for devices to power up.
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- Using a cheaper, off-brand charger is harmless
If you forgot your charger at home and don't want to spend much on a new one, then buying a cheaper version seems like a fine idea.
Unfortunately, chargers from brands you don't know or that aren't the same as your phone could fry your battery.
Branded chargers are tailored for the individual phone requirements and not all chargers will prove detrimental, but it is better to stick to officially licensed products.
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