Several factors influence the lifespan of your phone’s battery, including manufacturing age and its chemical age, which indicates gradual deterioration due to variables like temperature fluctuations, charging patterns, and general usage.
According to Apple, a standard iPhone battery is designed to retain up to 80% of its original capacity at 500 full charge cycles under typical conditions.
Research has shown that the smartphone battery of 2019 could endure, on average, around 850 full charge/discharge cycles before dropping to less than 80% of its capacity.
This implies that only 80% of the initial battery capacity remains after approximately one to three years of use, at which point the battery starts depleting significantly faster.
Most new-generation smartphones take between 30 minutes to two hours to fully charge.
Charging times vary depending on your device’s battery capacity, with larger capacities requiring more time, in addition to the amount of power the charger provides.
Experts advise against overnight charging not only as an unnecessary practice but also as it accelerates battery aging. Avoiding full charge cycles (from 0% to 100%) can help maximize your battery’s lifespan, according to Samsung.
Frequent charging to 100% can negatively impact the overall battery life. Instead, it’s recommended to charge your battery to around 80% and avoid letting it drop below 20%.
In the world of lithium-ion batteries, smartphones are at the forefront. However, this technology has raised continuous debates about whether overnight charging damages the battery.
According to “Science Alert,” over time, chemical aging of lithium-ion batteries reduces their charge capacity, battery life, and performance.
In theory, lithium-ion batteries can be overcharged, leading to safety concerns like battery overheating and even fire.
However, most modern smartphones have built-in protections that automatically stop charging beyond 100%, preventing any damage from overcharging.
Nonetheless, each time the battery level drops to 99% (due to background apps running), it initiates “trickle charging”—resuming charging to maintain a full charge.
Frequent trickle charging can lead to battery wear and tear over time. This is why many manufacturers implement features to regulate it.
Can Your Phone Explode While Charging?
It’s highly unlikely for your smartphone to explode during charging, especially since most phones now come with built-in protection against overcharging.
Unexpected phone explosions typically result from manufacturing defects, low-quality or damaged devices, or physical harm.
The temperature of lithium-ion batteries in phones rises when they struggle to dissipate heat during charging, which can lead to burns or, in extreme cases, fires.
Additionally, lithium-ion batteries function efficiently within a temperature range of 0°C to 40°C. They can expand at higher temperatures, potentially causing fires or explosions.
Using an incorrect, damaged, or low-quality charger or cable can also lead to increased temperature and pose risks to the phone itself.
