There's an old saying that the battery is like a muscle: if you don't exercise it, it atrophies. Lithium-ion batteries have shown a very explosive temper under certain circumstances, but the main sign that something is wrong is loss of capacity. That wear is an inevitable process in any battery, but the user can do a lot to delay it with just a pinch of discipline and good habits.
With less than two months left in 2017, the battery of mobile devices remains a source of frustration for millions of users. In the past, we have been promised all sorts of super batteries and supercapacitors, but those technologies simply don't reach the shelves. To this we must add one of the most irritating decisions by manufacturers: integrating the battery into the phone and not allowing the user to replace it directly. In other words, they turn the battery into a failure point that requires specialized intervention, because the bottom line is that you use the smartphone for a year and a half (on average), and then buy a new one. Would you like to disappoint the manufacturer and apply a couple of tricks that will extend the battery's lifespan? If so, keep reading.
Opportunistic Charging: How to Avoid Overcharging
Reaching 100 percent charge can be very satisfying for the user, but lithium technology experts agree that it is not ideal for the battery itself. Multiple charges at the limit deteriorate its final capacity, which leads us to the concept of opportunistic charging: several sessions a day whenever possible, keeping its level between 35-40 and 85-90 percent. Emergency chargers are very useful at this point.
Don't Let It Starve
A situation similar to overcharging occurs at the other end of the chain. Lithium-ion batteries don't like being completely drained. In many cases, the user has no choice but to squeeze out every last drop, but it's recommended not to go that far, unless the goal is to calibrate the meter, a task that should be done once every 30 to 60 days.
Heat Is Your Enemy
There's no mystery here: you carry a computer in your pocket, and it generates heat. All components hate heat, and batteries are no exception. It may sound a bit absurd to say that smartphones need to be charged in ventilated places and without their protective cases... but it is technically correct. In short, don't leave it near a window where it can get sun, and don't place it on top of another device while charging (modem, router, TV, etc.).
When Storing, the Magic Number Is 40
Regardless of whether you can remove them or not, if you need to store loose batteries or smartphones for a long time, the suggestion is to do so at a charge level that averages 40 percent. This reduces natural capacity loss, helps the protection circuit, provides enough margin for safe self-discharge, and keeps it operational in case we need it. Temperature is also important: between 15 and 40 degrees Celsius, applicable to all available chemistries.
Quality Chargers
Perhaps it's one of the most complicated points to follow simply because almost all chargers are made in China, and some imitations have a very convincing appearance. Still, I've seen too many devices knocked out by a questionable charger to ignore this. It doesn't matter if it's Apple, Samsung, LG, Motorola, Amazon, BlackBerry (?) or Nokia. The key is that the charger is of good quality, and the same goes for the cables when you use a computer.
These are classic recommendations that have accompanied us for many years, but it's never a bad idea to review them with each new generation of products. Performance and features increase, however, batteries need all our help. Follow the steps, cut the Bluetooth, turn off GPS, lower screen brightness, disable WiFi when you don't use it, uninstall certain apps, and you'll be fine.
