Avoid these 5 habits that shorten smartphone battery life

Charging to 100%

Lithium-ion batteries age fastest when pushed to extremes, especially at 0% and 100%, according to CNET.

Sandeep Unnikrishnan, chief technology officer at battery tech start-up Lionvolt, told The Independent that phone batteries deteriorate "due to internal electrochemical wear and tear," typically after about 500 charge cycles, or roughly two to three years of use.

Keeping a phone plugged in at full charge maintains high voltage, which accelerates chemical wear, Dibakar Datta, an associate professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, told HuffPost.

Experts recommend keeping the battery level between 20% and 80% for optimal longevity.

Using the phone heavily while charging

Running demanding apps during charging generates excess heat, which speeds up internal battery damage.

Modern smartphones manage power flow, but using graphics-intensive games or the camera for long periods while charging increases heat beyond normal levels. Combined with the heat generated during charging, this can stress battery cells, warned tech site MakeUseOf.

A person charges their smartphone. Photo from Pexels

Using non-certified chargers

Cheap fast-charging accessories often deliver unstable current, which can harm battery longevity.

"While fast charging offers convenience, frequent use can be detrimental," Unnikrishnan said. He added, "Very cheap non-standard chargers should be avoided as they may deliver unstable current or voltage and pose an overheating risk."

Ignoring battery optimization settings

Most phones have built-in battery management systems that can help extend battery life without user intervention.

On iPhones, enabling "optimized battery charging" in the Battery Health section allows the device to learn daily usage patterns and slow charging above 80% to limit battery stress, according to the New York Post.

Android devices offer similar tools under "Battery Protection" or "Charging Optimization."

Exposing the phone to extreme temperatures

Both intense heat and cold can damage lithium-ion batteries.

Prolonged use in direct sunlight, inside a hot car, or even under a pillow can push temperatures into unsafe ranges. Apple, for example, states that iPhone batteries perform best between 16°C and 22°C.
Excessive heat can cause the device to stop charging temporarily, while cold weather may cause sudden drops in battery percentage or unexpected shutdowns.