Question:

What are the possible causes and solutions for slow charging of mobile phones?

I have an Android phone that is almost four years old and it used to charge fully in about an hour. However, recently it started taking eight hours to reach 85%, which is the recommended level to extend the battery life. I tried using a different charger, but it did not make any difference. Then I replaced the USB to USB C cable with a new one and the charging speed improved significantly. I bought the new cable from eBay for a very low price and it arrived in four days. The old cable was apparently delivering only 2 Watts of power, while the new one can deliver 10 Watts, which is the maximum output of the charger. I use an app called Battery Life Extender to monitor the battery level and get notifications when it reaches 15% or 85%. How can I prevent this problem from happening again and what are the best practices for charging mobile phones?

Answer:

Mobile phones are essential devices that we use every day for communication, entertainment, work, and more. However, they also need to be charged regularly to keep them functioning properly. Sometimes, you may notice that your phone is charging slower than usual, which can be frustrating and inconvenient. In this article, we will explore some of the possible causes and solutions for slow charging of mobile phones, and share some tips on how to optimize your battery life and performance.

Causes of slow charging

There are many factors that can affect the charging speed of your phone, such as the battery condition, the charger, the cable, the power source, the phone settings, and the ambient temperature. Here are some of the common causes of slow charging and how to identify them:

• Battery condition: As your phone battery ages, it may lose its capacity and efficiency, which means it will take longer to charge and drain faster. You can check your battery health by using apps like Battery Life Extender or AccuBattery, which can show you the estimated battery capacity, wear level, and charge cycles. If your battery is significantly degraded, you may need to replace it or get a new phone.
• Charger: The charger you use can also affect the charging speed of your phone. Different chargers have different power outputs, measured in watts (W), which is the product of voltage (V) and current (A). For example, a 5V 2A charger can deliver 10W of power, while a 9V 2A charger can deliver 18W of power. The higher the power output, the faster your phone can charge, as long as your phone supports it. You can check the power output of your charger by looking at the label on it or using a USB power meter. If your charger is damaged or has a low power output, you may want to replace it with a compatible one that has a higher power output.
• Cable: The cable you use to connect your phone and charger can also make a difference in the charging speed. Some cables have thicker wires and better insulation, which can carry more current and reduce resistance and heat. Some cables also support fast charging protocols, such as USB Power Delivery (PD) or Qualcomm Quick Charge (QC), which can increase the voltage and current depending on the device and charger. You can check the quality and compatibility of your cable by using a USB power meter or looking for the PD or QC logo on it. If your cable is worn out or has a low quality or compatibility, you may want to replace it with a new one that has a better quality or compatibility.
• Power source: The power source you plug your charger into can also affect the charging speed of your phone. Some power sources, such as wall outlets, car chargers, power banks, or laptops, may have different voltages and currents, which can limit the power output of your charger. For example, a laptop USB port may only provide 5V 0.5A, which is 2.5W of power, while a wall outlet may provide 5V 2A, which is 10W of power. The higher the voltage and current of the power source, the faster your phone can charge, as long as your charger and cable support it. You can check the voltage and current of your power source by using a USB power meter or a multimeter. If your power source is low or unstable, you may want to switch to a different one that has a higher or more stable voltage and current.
• Phone settings: The phone settings you use can also affect the charging speed of your phone. Some phone settings, such as screen brightness, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, mobile data, or background apps, can consume more power and generate more heat, which can slow down the charging process and reduce the battery life. You can check the power consumption and temperature of your phone by using apps like Battery Life Extender or CPU Monitor, which can show you the battery percentage, usage, and temperature. If your phone is using too much power or getting too hot, you may want to adjust your phone settings to reduce the power consumption and heat generation.
• Ambient temperature: The ambient temperature you charge your phone in can also affect the charging speed of your phone. The optimal temperature range for charging your phone is between 15°C and 35°C, according to most manufacturers. If the temperature is too low or too high, it can affect the chemical reactions inside the battery and cause it to charge slower or faster, but also damage the battery and reduce its lifespan. You can check the ambient temperature by using a thermometer or an app like Weather. If the temperature is too low or too high, you may want to move your phone to a more suitable location that has a moderate temperature.

Solutions for slow charging

If you have identified the cause of slow charging, you can try some of the following solutions to fix it and improve the charging speed of your phone:

• Replace the battery: If your battery is old or damaged, you may need to replace it with a new one that has a higher capacity and efficiency. You can either do it yourself or take it to a professional service center, depending on your phone model and warranty. However, some phones have non-removable batteries, which means you may need to replace the whole phone instead of just the battery.
• Replace the charger: If your charger is faulty or incompatible, you may need to replace it with a new one that has a higher power output and supports fast charging protocols. You can either buy an original charger from your phone manufacturer or a compatible charger from a reputable brand, such as Anker, Aukey, or RAVPower. However, some chargers may not work well with some phones, which means you may need to check the compatibility before buying a new charger.
• Replace the cable: If your cable is worn out or unsuitable, you may need to replace it with a new one that has a better quality and supports fast charging protocols. You can either buy an original cable from your phone manufacturer or a compatible cable from a reputable brand, such as Anker, Aukey, or RAVPower. However, some cables may not work well with some chargers or phones, which means you may need to check the compatibility before buying a new cable.
• Switch the power source: If your power source is low or unstable, you may need to switch to a different one that has a higher or more stable voltage and current. You can either plug your charger into a wall outlet, a car charger, a power bank, or a laptop, depending on your availability and preference. However, some power sources may not provide enough power for some chargers or phones, which means you may need to check the voltage and current before switching to a new power source.
• Adjust the phone settings: If your phone settings are consuming too much power or generating too much heat, you may need to adjust them to reduce the power consumption and heat generation. You can either turn off or lower the screen brightness, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, mobile data, or background apps, depending on your needs and preferences. However, some phone settings may affect the functionality or performance of your phone, which means you may need to balance the trade-off between charging speed and user experience.
• Move the phone to a moderate temperature: If the ambient temperature is too low or too high, you may need to move your phone to a more suitable location that has a moderate temperature. You can either place your phone in a shaded or ventilated area, away from direct sunlight or heat sources, depending on your environment and weather. However, some locations may not be safe or convenient for your phone, which means you may need to consider the security and accessibility of your phone.

Tips for optimizing battery life and performance

Besides fixing the slow charging problem, you can also follow some tips to optimize your battery life and performance, such as:

• Charge your phone between 15% and 85%: According to some studies, charging your phone between 15% and 85% can extend the battery life and prevent overcharging or undercharging, which can damage the battery and reduce its lifespan. You can use apps like Battery Life Extender or AccuBattery to monitor the battery level and get notifications when it reaches 15% or 85%.
• Avoid using your phone while charging: Using your phone while charging can increase the power consumption and heat generation, which can slow down the charging process and reduce the battery life. You can either turn off your phone or put it in airplane mode while charging, depending on your needs and preferences.
• Use the original or compatible accessories: Using the original or compatible accessories, such as chargers, cables, or power sources, can ensure the optimal charging speed and safety of your phone. You can either buy the original accessories from your phone manufacturer or the compatible accessories from a reputable brand, such as Anker, Aukey, or RAVPower.
• Keep your phone updated and clean: Keeping your phone updated and clean can improve the performance and efficiency of your phone. You can either update your phone software and apps regularly or delete the unnecessary files and apps, depending on your needs and preferences.

Conclusion

In

conclusion, slow charging of mobile phones can be caused by various factors, such as the battery condition, the charger, the cable, the power source, the phone settings, and the ambient temperature. You can try some of the solutions we suggested to fix the problem and improve the charging speed of your phone, such as replacing the battery, the charger, or the cable, switching the power source, adjusting the phone settings, or moving the phone to a moderate temperature