Charging cell phones and mobile devices shortens lifespan?
By likaes
@likaes (496)
Singapore
September 9, 2008 5:19am CST
I've heard conflicting reports about whether charging your mobile phone or other types of mobile media devices (iPod, PSP, PDAs, etc.) before it needs to be charged (i.e when the battery gets depleted) will cause the battery to deteriorate? This is advice often given out by people who say the battery's lifespan will shorten and eventually you have to recharge more often, if you charge too soon or before the battery's juice is out.
This might've been true for older devices who depended on a different type of battery, but now I'm aware that modern devices use a lithium ion battery. I've seen somewhere that batteries of this type do NOT deteriorate if you charge it too soon, unlike normal batteries, and can be charged at any type without any harmful side-effects. Yet, I still hear advice NOT to charge when your battery is full.
So, whats the deal? Will charging my battery when it's at half-capacity shorten it's lifespan? Or are the lithium-ion batteries in my phone impervious to this damage?
3 people like this
6 responses
@Cunning_linguist (104)
• Philippines
9 Sep 08
AFAIK, the problem with Ni-MH and Ni-Cd batteries is the "memory effect", one which is practically non-existent in lithium-ion batteries. But ALL batteries will undergo wear and tear with use, and will have to be replaced eventually, regardless of frequency of charging. The best thing to do is to thoroughly drain the battery as much as you can before charging it again; at least you'll be able to maximize it for the duration of its lifespan.
@likaes (496)
• Singapore
11 Sep 08
Thanks for the response, to clarify that lithium-ion batteries don't suffer from the same problems as other batteries. But then, whats the deal, then? If they don't have this problem (but still undergo wear and tear, irregardless of frequency), why should I drain the battery before charging?
@Cunning_linguist (104)
• Philippines
12 Sep 08
One unique drawback of lithium-ion batteries is that they're dependent upon aging from the time of manufacture, and not just the number of charge/discharge cycles. In short, an older Li-Ion battery will not last as long as a new one simply because of age. As batteries age, their internal resistance rises, causing the voltage at the terminals to drop under load and reducing the maximum current that you can draw from them. Eventually these batteries reach a point where they can no longer provide power to the equipment they're installed in for an adequate period. Therefore, it makes good economic sense to get as much out of your battery as possible for the duration of its shelf life.
@Cunning_linguist (104)
• Philippines
12 Sep 08
I came across these tips for prolonging the life of Li-Ion batteries:
- Li-Ion batteries should be charged early and often. However, if they're not used for a long time, they should be brought to a charge level of 40-60%.
- Li-Ion batteries should be kept cool (but NOT frozen) in a refrigerator; high temperatures will cause the battery to age faster.
- Buy Li-Ion batteries only when needed, because the aging process begins as soon as the battery is manufactured.
- Laptop computers run on Li-Ion batteries, so when you're powering your laptop via power cable for an extended period, the battery should be removed and stored in a cool place so as not to be affected by the heat generated by the computer.
@sandeepjain242 (448)
• India
11 Sep 08
Yes it does. The best time to charge a cell phone is when its really low on battery. It has to perform a cycle of discharging and charging. Charging too often and when its still got more than 30% of charge might reduce your battery life. And when you charge your battery make sure you charge it completely. If your not using your cell phone for a long time remove the battery from its socket.
@likaes (496)
• Singapore
11 Sep 08
Might - that's the keyword here. I'm not really worried about cellphones per se, more like electronics in general like PSP, which are more expensive. See, what I really want to know - for sure, that if overcharging my phone or charging at non-crucial times (when it's not low on battery) will ruin the battery's lifespan.
Right now, I'm doing it with no problems, which coincides with my belief that lithium ion batteries don't suffer from the same problem as other batteries, but I want to know for sure that it won't have problems in the long run.
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
9 Sep 08
I have always believed this to be the case myself. Lithium-ion batteries are far more able to withstand this type of treatment than the older battery types but as far as I know it is still better to try to let your battery drain completely as often as is possible before recharging it again. It makes perfect sense when you think about it.
@likaes (496)
• Singapore
9 Sep 08
Sure, it might be better, but kinda inconvenient. I find it annoying that I have to wait for a suitable time to charge my mobile phones, so I don't and charge it anytime I want anyway. But I just want to know if it might have any lasting impact on the battery life...
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
6 Jan 09
Yeah I guess that was the belief before when it was still using those old kinds of batteries. but recently I heard this from many cellphone sellers that charging is not an issue anymore these days. But still many says that it is good that there would be time for the battery to be fully discharged before you can recharged them back since they can help the battery to fully replenished itself with fresh new power but it is not necessary to do it always every time. Batteries nowadays can be recharge anytime of the day when you feel to recharge it.
@mialei23 (2385)
• Philippines
9 Sep 08
Some says that we should charge our cell phone battery when It was totally empty, they says that this would long the life span of batteries and even cell phones. Over charging can damage batteries and even cell phones. There are some incident that battery pops out or even spill outs when was over charge or overuse. I don't know If it's true maybe this depends on the brand of the battery and cell phones.
@wobbletones (20)
• South Africa
9 Sep 08
In my personal opinion, I disagree with the saying charging cellphones shortens battery life. I say this because at the moment I have a sony ericsson w880i and it is constantly on charge when I am at home and I have had the phone for about a year and 4 months and I still get the same battery life as when I first bought the phone, and the same apply's with all the other phones that I have owned
@likaes (496)
• Singapore
9 Sep 08
That's what I think too, but I needed some confirmation. Too many conflicting reports out there. I've had no problems charging my mobile at any time I want myself, but I'm worried about more longer-lasting hardware like iPods or PSPs which are worth more than a phone, which can be easily changed.
