Do you charge your phone up to 100% every time and leave it plugged in overnight? You may be harming your device. Although modern batteries are smarter than older ones, they also have their limits. And it is the charging method that determines how long it will last for you.
Nowadays, we cannot imagine a single day without a mobile phone. We charge it at work, at home and in the car, often until fully charged. At the same time, this habit can be problematic in the long run. The lithium-ion batteries used in today’s smartphones do not like extremes: neither completely discharged nor staying at 100% for a long time. And although modern systems can prevent many problems, holding the battery at full capacity for a long time gradually weakens it.
What happens when you leave your phone on the charger?
Once the phone reaches full charge, the charger will not stop supplying power completely. Instead, it switches to so-called maintenance charging. Thus, the phone constantly takes small doses of energy to maintain a state of 100%. This process creates heat and keeps the battery charged, which causes it to age faster over time.
“The battery wears out faster over time if you charge it to full instead of just ninety percent,” explains Javanshir Hashimzada, an IT and computer science student at Charles University. He adds that the difference may not be huge, but it will become apparent over time. Perhaps after a year of daily overnight charging.
Therefore, experts recommend keeping the battery between 20 and 80 percent. This range minimizes battery load and . In addition, it pays to charge more often and in smaller doses, rather than letting the phone completely discharge and then charging it to full again. It’s also important to avoid overheating, especially when charging under a pillow or in a hot car.
How to charge more gently
Most modern phones today already offer features that help keep the battery life as long as possible. iPhone users will find the “Optimized charging” item in the settings, Android has a similar function under the name “Adaptive charging”. These modes can slow down charging after reaching 80% and complete it shortly before the phone disconnects from the charger.
Another tip is to avoid fast chargers unless necessary. Although it sounds tempting to top up, in the long run it is rather harmful to the battery. Fast charging creates more heat, and heat is one of the battery’s worst enemies. “Slow charging is always more gentle on the battery than fast charging,Hashimzada adds.
In conclusion, even if your phone doesn’t explode after reaching 100%, repeated overcharging and exposure to high temperature definitely won’t add to its lifespan. Just really small changes in habits, more frequent and shorter charging, temperature control, and the battery will serve you much longer. Careful charging is a real investment in the future of your mobile phone.
