Understand the Causes of Mobile Battery Degradation and Tips to Extend Its Lifespan

Signs of a Degrading Mobile Battery

Moderate battery degradation can appear as a sudden drop in battery percentage. For instance, your battery might plummet from 70% to 50% in no time. Other signs include your phone shutting down unexpectedly when the battery reaches around 20%.

Severe battery degradation, such as a swollen battery, signals the urgent need for replacement. Ignoring this can damage your phone and pose risks to your safety.

Common Causes of Battery Degradation

Battery aging is inevitable, but certain habits can shorten its lifespan. Here are some common mistakes that contribute to battery degradation:

• Plugging in the charger incorrectly (e.g., connecting the phone to the cable before plugging the adapter into a power outlet)

• Allowing the battery to completely drain before recharging

• Overusing the phone until it overheats

• Using counterfeit or substandard charging accessories

• Keeping the screen brightness set to maximum for prolonged periods

How to Check for Battery Issues

Besides the mentioned symptoms, you can assess your phone’s battery health in the following ways:

• Fluctuating battery percentage

• Rapid battery drain

• The battery is unusually hot while in use or charging

• Swollen battery

• Battery percentage doesn't increase while charging

• Frequent random shutdowns or restarts

• Use apps or built-in features (iOS/Android) to check battery health

Tips to Prevent Battery Degradation

Since modern phones come with built-in batteries that need professional service for replacement, here are tips to maintain and prolong their lifespan:

• Avoid using your phone in extremely hot environments

• Recharge before the battery drains completely

• Use certified chargers and cables

• Plug the adapter into the power outlet before connecting it to the phone

• Choose phone cases with good heat ventilation

• Set your screen brightness to Auto to reduce battery strain.

• Enable power-saving mode

• Close unused apps and uninstall unnecessary ones

• Switch to Dark Mode

• Turn off unused connections (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.)

• Set an auto-lock screen timeout

• Avoid using animated wallpapers

• Adjust graphics settings to low for smoother gaming

FAQs on Mobile Battery Health and Troubleshooting

Why does a battery swell?

Modern batteries like Lithium-ion and Lithium Polymer can swell due to overheating or leaks, releasing gas that causes the expansion.

How can you tell if a battery is swollen?

It might be a bit difficult to notice since modern smartphones have batteries built inside and cannot be removed for checking. This makes it hard for users to detect if the battery is swelling. However, you can observe early signs like fluctuating battery percentage, charging issues, or the phone shutting down on its own, among other symptoms.

Is a swollen battery dangerous?

Yes. While you might still use your phone, a swollen battery can lead to risks like explosions, damaged touchscreen functionality, motherboard issues, or unresponsive buttons.

At what percentage should a battery be replaced?

Check battery health every 6-12 months. If it drops below 80%, consider replacing it as it indicates diminished performance.

When should you charge your phone?

It's best to charge when the battery drops to 40-50%. Avoid draining it completely or using the phone while charging.

What’s the proper way to connect a charger?

Connect the USB cable to the adapter first, then plug the adapter into the outlet, and finally attach the cable to the phone. When unplugging, reverse the steps: remove the USB from the phone first.

As mobile phones become indispensable in our lives, battery problems are inevitable. With these easy care tips, you can keep your battery running longer and make the most of your phone.