So, you have bought a new phone, but there is always a concern about the battery. Many times, you worry about how long the battery will last, how to maintain battery health, and how to get a good backup. To clear all these doubts, here is a detailed guide on when to charge the battery, how to save it, and what affects its health.
Understanding the basics is important. The lithium-ion batteries used in mobile phones typically provide a good backup for around 800 to 1000 charge cycles. However, this does not mean that the battery will work perfectly for 800 cycles and then suddenly stop performing. With each charge cycle, the maximum capacity of the battery reduces slightly. For example, if you have charged your phone 10 times, then over time, the original battery backup will gradually decrease. If you assume 800 charge cycles, this roughly translates to about 1.5 to 3 years of usage before noticing a significant drop in battery performance.
To maintain a phone’s battery for two to three years and keep it in good condition, two factors need to be considered: charging habits and phone usage. Firstly, the way you charge your phone matters. Avoid charging from 0 to 100% regularly. It is not ideal to let the battery drain completely before charging or to always charge it fully. Instead, try to keep the battery level between 20% and 80%. Charge randomly when convenient; for example, if the battery is at 40%, plug it in for a while, remove it at 70%, use it again, and charge at 30% when necessary. This random charging habit is much healthier for the battery.
Using a genuine charger is also essential. Ideally, use the charger that came with the phone. If that is not possible, use an official or reputed brand that supports the required charging capacity. Fast charging is convenient, but excessive use of high-watt chargers can generate excess heat, which is not ideal for battery health. It is better to occasionally use a standard charger of 10W, 15W, or 18W to give the battery a break from fast charging.
Avoiding overnight charging is another good habit. While modern smartphones are designed to handle it, trickle charging occurs when the battery reaches 100%, then drops to 95% and charges back up repeatedly. This process can impact battery longevity, so it is better to unplug the phone once it is sufficiently charged.
Besides charging habits, phone usage also affects battery health. Heat is the biggest enemy of batteries. Avoid using the phone under excessive temperatures or while charging, especially for gaming. High temperatures can stress the battery, reducing its backup and longevity. Additionally, background apps consume battery unnecessarily, so check and close any unwanted or unknown apps running in the background.
Brightness settings also play a role. Many people keep the brightness at maximum, which drains the battery quickly. Enabling auto-brightness allows the phone to adjust brightness according to surroundings, saving battery. Similarly, excessive vibrations and haptic feedback consume power. Disabling unnecessary haptics can help extend battery life.
Using dark or black wallpapers is another battery-saving trick, especially for AMOLED or OLED screens. These screens consume less power when displaying dark colors. If changing wallpapers is not an option, enabling dark mode can also help conserve battery.
Lastly, keeping the phone’s software updated is beneficial. Updates often include optimizations that improve battery performance. While some may worry that updates can negatively impact battery life, they generally help enhance overall efficiency.
Despite following all these best practices, battery capacity naturally declines over time. After 800, 900, or 1000 charge cycles, the battery’s performance will noticeably decrease, and it may need replacement. Instead of panicking about battery health percentages, it is better to focus on enjoying the phone while it lasts. By following these simple tips, maintaining good battery backup and ensuring the phone lasts for two to three years comfortably becomes possible. If there are any additional tips or tricks, feel free to share them.
