Question:

How does partial charging affect the longevity of a smartphone battery?

I have a new Galaxy A54 and I want to know the optimal charging methods for its battery. I have heard that keeping the battery between 20% and 80% is better than fully charging or discharging it. But what about charging it only by 10% at a time, such as from 30% to 40%? Does this have any negative impact on the battery health? I sometimes do this when I need a quick boost of battery power, but I am not sure if it is advisable. Please explain the best practices for charging a smartphone battery. Thank you.

Answer:

Smartphone batteries are one of the most important components of our devices, as they determine how long we can use them without plugging them in. However, not all charging methods are equally good for the battery health and longevity. In this article, we will explore how partial charging, or charging the battery only by a small amount at a time, affects the battery performance and lifespan.

What is partial charging?

Partial charging is when you charge your smartphone battery only by a fraction of its capacity, such as from 30% to 40%, instead of fully charging it to 100% or letting it drain to 0%. Some people may do this when they need a quick boost of battery power, or when they do not have access to a charger for a long time.

Is partial charging good or bad for the battery?

The answer to this question depends on the type of battery that your smartphone uses. Most modern smartphones use lithium-ion batteries, which have different characteristics and behaviors than older types of batteries, such as nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride.

Lithium-ion batteries have several advantages, such as high energy density, low self-discharge rate, and no memory effect. This means that they can store more power, lose less power when not in use, and do not need to be fully discharged before recharging to maintain their capacity.

However, lithium-ion batteries also have some drawbacks, such as aging, degradation, and sensitivity to high temperatures and voltages. This means that they lose their capacity over time, especially when they are exposed to extreme conditions, such as overheating or overcharging.

Partial charging can have both positive and negative effects on lithium-ion batteries, depending on the level of charge and the frequency of charging. According to some experts, the optimal range for charging lithium-ion batteries is between 20% and 80% . This is because charging the battery above 80% or below 20% can increase the stress and damage on the battery cells, reducing their lifespan .

Therefore, partial charging within this range can be beneficial for the battery, as it can reduce the wear and tear on the battery cells and extend their longevity. However, partial charging outside this range can be harmful for the battery, as it can accelerate the aging and degradation of the battery cells and shorten their lifespan.

What are the best practices for charging a smartphone battery?

Based on the above information, here are some tips and recommendations for charging a smartphone battery in a way that maximizes its performance and lifespan:

• Avoid fully charging or discharging the battery. Try to keep the battery level between 20% and 80%, as this can reduce the stress and damage on the battery cells and extend their longevity. If possible, use a smart charger or a battery app that can automatically stop charging the battery when it reaches 80% or start charging it when it drops below 20% .
• Avoid partial charging too frequently or too little. While partial charging within the optimal range can be good for the battery, doing it too often or too little can have negative effects. Charging the battery too frequently can increase the number of charge cycles, which can wear out the battery faster. Charging the battery too little can cause the battery to lose its calibration, which can affect its accuracy and performance .
• Avoid exposing the battery to high temperatures or voltages. High temperatures or voltages can cause the battery to overheat or overcharge, which can damage the battery cells and reduce their capacity. Avoid using the phone while charging, as this can generate more heat and power consumption. Avoid using fast chargers or incompatible chargers, as this can increase the voltage and current delivered to the battery. Avoid leaving the phone in hot places, such as in direct sunlight or in a car .

Conclusion

Partial charging is a common practice among smartphone users, but it can have different impacts on the battery health and longevity, depending on the type of battery and the level and frequency of charging. For lithium-ion batteries, which are widely used in modern smartphones, the optimal range for charging is between 20% and 80%, as this can reduce the stress and damage on the battery cells and extend their lifespan. However, charging the battery above 80% or below 20%, or charging it too frequently or too little, can have negative effects on the battery, as this can accelerate the aging and degradation of the battery cells and shorten their lifespan. Therefore, it is advisable to follow some best practices for charging a smartphone battery, such as avoiding fully charging or discharging the battery, avoiding exposing the battery to high temperatures or voltages, and using a smart charger or a battery app to monitor and control the charging process.

We hope that this article has answered your question and helped you understand how partial charging affects the longevity of a smartphone battery. Thank you for reading.

References

: [How to Prolong Lithium-based Batteries – Battery University](https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries) : [The Best Way to Charge Your Smartphone – Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-best-way-to-charge-your-smartphone/) : [How to Extend the Life of Your Smartphone’s Battery – Consumer Reports](https://www.consumerreports.org/smartphones/how-to-extend-the-life-of-your-smartphone-battery/) : [How to Charge Your Phone to Save the Battery, According to Science – Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-charge-your-phone-to-save-the-battery-2018-5) : [Smart Charger – Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.battery.smartcharger&hl=en_US&gl=US) : [Battery – Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.macropinch.pearl&hl=en_US&gl=US) : [How Often Should You Charge Your Phone? – Lifewire](https://www.lifewire.com/how-often-should-you-charge-your-phone-4174359) : [How to Calibrate Your Phone’s Battery – Android Authority](https://www.androidauthority.com/how-to-calibrate-battery-882395/) : [How to Prevent Your Phone From Overheating – Wired](https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-prevent-phone-overheating/) :

[How to Avoid Overcharging Your Phone’s Battery – MakeUseOf](https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/avoid-overcharging-phone-battery/)