Smartphones are like our faithful friends, connecting us with loved ones, helping us stay organised, and offering a world of information at our fingertips. Like any valuable tool, we want to ensure they last as long as possible and perform at their best.
We’ve all likely experienced the frustration of a phone battery that drains too quickly, leaving us feeling disconnected when we need it most. It makes sense then that we’d want to take good care of its power source, the battery, to avoid those moments.
Interestingly, a simple adjustment to our charging habits could significantly extend the lifespan of our devices. This small change might be the key to keeping our phones running smoothly for longer.
Before you plug in your phone for an overnight charge, consider this: stopping the charge at 80 per cent could be the key to maintaining your phone’s battery health over time.
The lithium-ion batteries that power our smartphones are marvels of modern technology but are not immune to wear and tear. Each time we charge our phones, we initiate a chemical process that, over time, can degrade the battery’s ability to hold a charge.
While charging your phone 100 per cent is safe, repeatedly charging it can accelerate the battery’s aging process.
Think of your phone’s battery like a balloon. Inflate it to its full capacity every time, and the material will eventually lose its elasticity.
Similarly, charging your phone to full capacity can put unnecessary stress on the battery, shortening its lifespan. By stopping the charge at around 80 per cent, you’re effectively giving your battery a break, reducing the stress and helping it maintain its capacity for longer.
Recognising the importance of battery health, smartphone manufacturers have introduced features to help manage charging more effectively.
For instance, Google Pixel phones offer an ‘Adaptive Charging’ setting that learns your charging habits and adjusts accordingly, ensuring the battery only fully charges when necessary.
Similarly, Samsung Galaxy phones have a ‘Battery Protection’ feature that can limit the charge to 80 per cent or alert you when that threshold is reached.
These built-in tools are designed to extend the life of your phone’s battery by preventing overcharging and reducing the wear and tear associated with reaching full capacity.
Setting up your phone for optimal charging
If you’re a Pixel phone user, navigate to ‘Settings’, tap ‘Battery’, and then select ‘Adaptive Charging’ to enable this feature.
For Galaxy phone owners, go to ‘Settings’, choose ‘Battery’, and then ‘Battery Protection’ to find the ‘Adaptive’ option or set a maximum charge limit.
For those with a Galaxy phone who prefer a more hands-on approach, you can create a custom routine to receive an alert when your phone hits 80 per cent charge.
Go to ‘Settings’, tap ‘Modes and Routines’, and then use the ‘+’ button to set up a new routine with a custom notification.
For Android users with other devices, third-party apps like Battery Guru can provide similar functionality, allowing you to set alarms for specific battery levels.
By adopting this 80 per cent charging rule, you’re not just prolonging the life of your phone’s battery but also contributing to a more sustainable use of technology. Fewer battery replacements mean less electronic waste and a smaller environmental footprint.
Have you tried this charging method, or do you have other tips for maintaining battery health? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below!
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