A lot of us plug our phones in overnight so we can wake up to a full battery. But that habit might not be the best for your phone’s long-term health.
Charging to 100% Isn’t Always Ideal
Experts say that charging your phone all the way to 100% every time can slowly wear out the battery. According to researchers, keeping your battery at full charge and plugged in creates a high voltage state, which causes the battery to age faster.
Tip: If you stop charging at around 85% to 90%, your battery could last longer. Charging to 100% all the time might make your battery age about 10–15% faster over time—not a huge deal, but still noticeable.
But Sometimes 100% Is Okay
If you have a busy day ahead, like travelling or using your GPS a lot, it’s totally fine to charge to 100%. The idea is not to always do it, especially if you’re home and don’t need the extra charge.
Avoid Letting Your Battery Drop to 0%
Letting your phone die regularly can also hurt the battery. Experts suggest charging it when it gets to around 20%.
Best charging range: Keep your phone between 20% and 80% most of the time for a longer-lasting battery.
Watch the Temperature
Batteries don’t like extreme heat or cold. Being in very hot or freezing places can damage them more than charging to 100% ever would.
Ideal condition: Try to keep your phone in room temperature whenever possible.
Go Easy on Fast Chargers
Fast charging is convenient, but it creates heat, and heat shortens battery life.
What to do: Use fast charging when needed, but slow charging is safer for long-term battery health.
Check Your Battery Health
Most smartphones let you check battery health in the settings. If it’s below 80%, it might be time to replace the battery.
Summary: Battery Care Tips
- Don’t charge to 100% every day (stop around 85–90% if possible).
- Avoid letting it hit 0%—charge at 20%.
- Stay in the 20–80% charge range when you can.
- Keep your phone in a cool, room-temperature place.
- Use fast charging only when necessary.
- Check your battery health regularly.