Cell Phone Battery Life

Posted by Jeffry

Apr 13

Cell Phone Battery Life

And

How to Get a Cell Phone Battery to Last Longer

Cell phones are available in a wide range of models and styles. Cell phones might be easy to use but might prove to be dangerous if not properly taken care of. Batteries play a major role in operating a cell phone. All cell phones come equipped with a battery manufactured to suit that particular model or make. A genuine cell phone battery can be recharged a number of times. The life of a battery depends on the usage. However, other conditions also matter when dealing with a battery.

With lithium ion and nickel cadmium batteries, it is a good idea to charge the battery when it is extremely low (almost dead). Keeping the cell phone in places with extreme weather conditions might result in the circuit and the battery melting, freezing or leaking. Leaving the phone in the hot sun might result in the circuit fusing out or the battery melting inside the phone.

Overcharging is a rare event as the phone has an alert that beeps when the phone is fully charged. Taking good care of a battery is essential to avoid problems.

Let the Battery Fully Charge Before it’s First Use.

If your cell phone has Nickel based batteries you should initially charge them for 16 hours and then run through 2 to 4 full charge-full discharge cycles. With Lithium Batteries, get them charged for about 5-6 hours. Make sure ignore the phone telling you that the battery is full, as this is not accurate before the battery has undergone the initial charge.

Always Charge Your Phone Correctly.

Most new cell phones have lithium-ion batteries, while the older ones usually have nickel based batteries. Nickel-based batteries (NiCd and NiMH) have a phenomenon known as “memory effect.” This means that if you charge the battery only partially, eventually the battery forgets that it can have a full charge. For cell-phones with nickel batteries make sure to discharge them completely once every two to three weeks, this will prolong the battery life. Lithium-ion batteries are completely different when it comes to charging. Lithium-ion batteries do not have the same memory effect. Lithium-ions oxidize in the battery, thus shortening its life. After a certain period of time, the battery exhibits slightly different electronic properties, which the device can only detect when the battery is completely discharged. To prevent this from occurring, every thirty charging cycles, you should discharge lithium ion batteries until the phone gives a low battery warning, then fully recharge it. (DO NOT fully discharge a lithium-ion battery! This battery reconditioning ensures that the battery meter on your lithium ion cellphone stays accurate. The virtual memory effect however does not affect the battery capacity as in the nickel based batteries.

Batteries Should Be Kept Cool at All Times.

Batteries last longest if they are used near room temperature. Also make sure to check the battery while it’s charging, see if it feels hot. Remember, that nothing wears on a battery like extended exposure to high temperatures.