This article explores the causes and symptoms of battery degradation and provides tips to prolong your smartphone's battery life.
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.
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
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
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
Modern batteries like Lithium-ion and Lithium Polymer can swell due to overheating or leaks, releasing gas that causes the expansion.
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.
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.
Check battery health every 6-12 months. If it drops below 80%, consider replacing it as it indicates diminished performance.
It's best to charge when the battery drops to 40-50%. Avoid draining it completely or using the phone while charging.
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.