Mobile device batteries can quickly break – especially if you charge them incorrectly. We explain what you need to know to charge your smartphone battery properly.
When smartphones and other mobile devices are fresh from the shop, their batteries work perfectly. They last for hours without us having to power a device.
But as time goes by, the power gets less and less and we have to charge more often. The fact that the battery ages more quickly and wears out can have various causes. Often, incorrect charging is also a reason why the battery capacity decreases.
Charge your smartphone battery correctly: How to make your battery last longer
However, there are a few things you can do to charge your smartphone battery properly and extend its life. We have six tips for you.
Tip 1: Don’t fully discharge or charge your smartphone battery
For a while, rumours circulated that the best thing for your smartphone battery was to fully discharge it and only then recharge it. However, this is not true for lithium-ion batteries.
In fact, it is better for your battery if it is between 30 and 70 percent. By the way: Newer smartphone models come with an integrated charging stop when the battery has reached its ideal charge.
Tip 2: Do not charge your smartphone battery until it is half full
If you have been using your smartphone for a while after charging it and now want to supply it with power, you should make sure that the battery is at less than half capacity. If it has more than 50 percent power left, you should not charge it again.
Tip 3: Charge the smartphone battery at room temperature
Temperature can also have a negative impact on the life of your battery. For example, if it is too cold or too hot, it can affect the charging cycle of your smartphone.
Temperatures of more than 40 or less than -10 degrees Celsius can be dangerous for the battery. Ideally, you should therefore charge your phone at room temperature.
Tip 4: Do not use the charger permanently
Once your smartphone is fully charged, you should disconnect it from the charger. If your smartphone remains connected to the charger for too long when the battery is full, this can have a negative effect on your battery.
In addition, your charger will continue to consume energy even after your device has been charged for a long time – and that can be reflected in your electricity bill.
Tip 5: Use the right charger
When buying a new charger, avoid cheap versions. The cheaper alternative cables from third-party suppliers often come with missing insulation and perform poorly in tests. Sometimes there is even a risk of fire.
Therefore, you should rather choose an original charging cable from your smartphone manufacturer. Although it costs more, it is the safer option for your smartphone battery.
Tip 6: Do not charge overnight
Almost all smartphone users tend to charge their devices overnight. However, this can harm your mobile phone in the long run. This is because the device switches to mains operation after it has been fully charged and thus keeps losing charging power. This in turn, however, causes the charging process to start up again. This results in so-called “mini-charges”, which are bad for your battery.
That’s why it’s better to charge your device to about 90 per cent before sleeping and then disconnect it from the power supply. You should also switch it to flight mode. This way, your battery loses hardly any charge and you can continue to use functions such as the alarm clock.
