We’re all struggling in this economy. That’s why when we get our hands on a smartphone worth investing in—whether it’s a premium iPhone or a versatile Android—we want to make sure it lasts for a good and long time.
Unfortunately, this also explains some of our neurotic tendencies when it comes to charging practices. Not yet fully charged? Please, leave it plugged in. Going to bed? Not so soon, I’ll wait up and watch, arduously, as the power slowly trickles in. Don’t do this, don’t do that. But who makes these rules and which of them are actually valid?
The modern smartphone has overturned these beliefs with its advanced battery technology and smarter charging systems. Here are 10 charging practices you should scrap, stat, to protect and prolong your battery’s lifespan.
1. Always Charging to 100%
Most smartphones today use lithium-ion technology. They charge faster and last longer, but this also means they wear out more quickly if they are constantly charged to 100%. Most experts recommend keeping the battery between 20% to 80%, unplugging it before it reaches full capacity. To help yourself out, turn on Optimized Battery Charging on your iPhone (Adaptive Charging on Android). This feature customizes the charging process according to your usage behavior, improving battery life.
2. Letting the Battery Drain Completely Before Charging
Depriving your smartphone of charging until it is completely dead is one of the most harmful things you can do to your battery. Known as a full discharge, this practice decreases your battery’s overall capacity by damaging the lithium-ion cells. Avoid draining your battery completely and remember that unlike nickel batteries found in older phones (pre-smartphone era), lithium-ion batteries thrive on smaller discharges and regular top-ups.
3. Overnight Charging is Bad for Battery Health
Overnight charging was once considered bad for battery health. The caveat is that phone companies now impose limits on charging to reduce the likelihood of overcharging and overheating. For example, when an iPhone reaches a charge level of 100%, charging halts completely. In other words, leaving your phone plugged in overnight does not overload your battery and is entirely safe—confirmed by Apple here.
4. Wireless Charging Damages Your Battery
We would take this particularly hard if it were true, but thankfully, wireless chargers aren’t the offenders they’re often made out to be. In fact, they are likely on par with regular charging when it comes to battery degradation. The only problem is that excessive heat from wireless charging can reduce battery lifespan. This can easily be avoided by choosing high-quality and/or Qi-certified wireless chargers, which are optimized for safety and energy efficiency.
5. Using Your Phone While Charging is Dangerous
According to Samsung, it is absolutely fine to use your device while it is charging. It does not affect the battery and will not cause any long-term damage to your phone. However, it might slow down charging a little, as a portion of the energy your phone gains when plugged in will be diverted to your usage.
6. Switching Your Phone Off Conserves Battery
Modern smartphones are designed to be charged as they are—without needing to long-press and power them off. While some might argue that turning off the phone could contribute to a slightly faster charge, technology has advanced to the point where the power consumption when the phone is idle versus when it’s off doesn’t make a significant difference. Just charge it normally.
7. Only High Temperatures Affect Batteries
Many of us are well aware that batteries don’t favor high temperatures, whether due to overheating or ambient heat. However, cold weather and phones don’t mix well either, as frigid temperatures can quickly drain your battery, reduce its capacity, and even impair its ability to hold a charge. Apple advises using iPhones within temperatures between 16°C and 22°C. If you use your device in very cold conditions, you risk inadvertently causing your device to power off or damaging its battery life.
8. Fast Charging is Harmful to Your Battery
Fast charging is the default mode of charging with most original chargers and, therefore, will not ruin your battery. This couldn’t be said of the phones of , which couldn’t effectively regulate heat and airflow during charging, causing fast charging to quickly generate a lot of—and dangerous—heat. Nowadays, phones are equipped with heat shields and thermal layers to protect the battery, and chargers come with built-in heat management and smart charging technology. These systems control the power delivered to prevent overvoltage and avoid overheating issues associated with fast charging.
Browse top-of-the-line fast charging cables designed to deliver power at high speeds, and work seamlessly with our wall chargers featuring GaNSmart Technology for safe and efficient top-ups.
9. Closing Background Apps Saves Power
Contrary to popular belief, closing background apps might not save as much power as you think. When your phone is on the brink of dying, leaving these apps suspended in the background consumes less energy than quitting them altogether, especially if you have to reopen and restart them later. Regularly closing apps also doesn’t lead to longer battery life or save power.
10. Using Only Manufacturer-Branded Chargers
You can’t go wrong with sticking to the original chargers and cables that come with your smartphone purchase. But you don’t need to be so uptight about it either; it is completely acceptable to reach for one that is recommended by the manufacturer or has attained industry-acknowledged certifications. Keeping these factors in mind will help you avoid unreliable knockoff connectors that might deliver unstable current or hurt your battery. Look for universal standards, such as Qi or USB Power Delivery (USB-PD), to ensure safe and efficient charging.
Power Up and Preserve Your Phone’s Battery with Energea
Don’t let your tech habits, whether well-intentioned or not, shorten the lifespan of your precious smartphone. At Energea, we prioritize the right practices because we understand that every device is an investment. Our commitment to performance, efficiency, and device health has driven us to create some of the highest-quality and most multifunctional products in the tech world.
Your charging habits don’t define you, but they do reflect how much you care for your devices—take the first step toward change and learn how to protect and extend your phone’s life with us. Shop Energea now for a better charging experience today and more reliable power tomorrow.
