What really wears out a phone battery
Lithium-ion batteries age naturally over time. However, some habits can speed up their wear, especially when they increase heat or keep the battery at a very high charge level for a long time.
1. Often exposing the phone to heat
Heat is one of the most damaging factors for a battery. Avoid leaving your phone in the sun, in a very hot car or under a blanket while it charges.
2. Keeping the battery at 100% for long periods
Charging your phone overnight doesn't mean it's automatically “overcharged”. Modern phones manage charging electronically. On iPhone, Optimized Battery Charging can even delay charging past 80% until the time you normally use your device.
If you want to limit long-term wear, mainly avoid leaving the phone needlessly plugged in at 100% for very long periods in a hot environment.
3. Frequently letting the battery drop all the way to 0%
An occasional full discharge isn't a big deal, but there's no need to wait for the phone to shut off before recharging it. Short top-ups throughout the day are perfectly fine for lithium-ion batteries.
4. Using a damaged charger or cable
A damaged cable, an unstable connector or a poor-quality accessory can cause inefficient charging or unnecessary heat. Use a cable and adapter compatible with your device and replace damaged accessories.
5. Ignoring a battery that swells or overheats abnormally
A battery that swells, deforms the device or becomes abnormally hot must be taken seriously. Stop using the device and have it inspected by a professional.
Should you avoid charging your phone overnight?
Not necessarily. Recent phones have charge management systems. On iPhone, Apple states that Optimized Battery Charging reduces the time spent fully charged by temporarily pausing charging around 80% when the system recognizes your habits.
What battery capacity can you expect from a Top notch refurbished iPhone?
At Top notch, refurbished iPhones have a maximum battery capacity of at least 85%, unless otherwise stated. Devices are also tested before sale.
You can browse our refurbished iPhones or compare all our refurbished phones.
Key takeaways
- Above all, avoid excessive heat.
- You don't need to wait for 0% before recharging.
- Charging overnight isn't automatically bad.
- Use compatible accessories in good condition.
- Have a swollen or abnormally hot battery inspected quickly.
Technical source: Apple documentation on iPhone Optimized Battery Charging.