Batteries are an essential part of our phones, laptops, and other mobile device and portable accessories, and keeping them charged is crucial to such devices being available for our use.
To prevent situations where we have to change batteries frequently, or prolong the lifespan of said batteries, here are some tips:
1. Use it or lose it.
It is important to realise that batteries degrade not only during use, but also when sitting idly on a shelf. This is one reason why most manufacturers specify not only a cycle life but also a calendar life for their batteries.
So a good way to go about it is to take is to treat batteries and battery-powered devices like you do dairy products. Buy the freshest one whenever given the choice. And avoid buying something that you only expect to use a long time from now.
2. Temperature.
In terms of environment in which a device is used, the most important influence on battery life is temperature.
In warmer temperatures, a protective layer inside the batteries breaks and needs to be rebuilt, which takes up some of the energy capacity the battery has to offer.And in colder temperatures the chemical reactions inside the battery slow down.
Generally, though, cold is usually less harmful than heat. So if you have the choice between placing your phone in the sun or the shade, the latter is probably preferable.
3. Charging and discharging.
Fully charged Batteries degrade most, when not in use. So if left for several days or weeks without use, they should ideally be kept at a relatively low charging state, e.g around 20% charged.
Conversely, when being charged and discharged a lot, it is best to keep the batteries as close to the 50% mark as possible.
4. Quick Charging.
Forcing batteries to provide high amounts of power output or to charge very quickly is equivalent to both heating and cooling at the same time: the protective layer breaks and rebuilds, so the best thing to do is to not put too much stress on your battery.