Charge your lithium-ion battery devices for maximum longevity

Updated: This article was originally published on 8/23/17.

Your laptop or smartphone is useless without a charged battery. These rechargeable power sources have a limited lifespan; over time, they lose power faster and take longer to recharge. Proper care, including smart charging habits and careful storage, is crucial for maximizing battery life.

Understanding Lithium-Ion Batteries

Modern devices use lithium-ion batteries. As Popular Science explained regarding Tesla's Powerwall: during charging, positively-charged lithium ions move between electrodes (cathode and anode) via an electrolyte solution. This concentrates electrons on the anode. Discharging reverses this process, with electrons flowing through external circuits to power the device.

While advancements have improved lithium-ion battery performance, their lifespan is finite due to the cyclical nature of charging and discharging. Most rechargeable batteries last two to three years because insulating atoms build up on the electrodes, reducing their effectiveness.

Optimizing Charging Practices

Contrary to older advice, initial full charge/discharge cycles are unnecessary for modern batteries. The key is post-initial use charging:

• Shallow charges and discharges are best: Battery University recommends charging to 50 percent before recharging and avoiding full (100 percent) charges. Don't leave the device plugged in after it reaches a full charge. While lithium-ion batteries have safety mechanisms, constant full charging accelerates aging.
• Occasional full discharge: Once a month, discharge to about 5 percent to recalibrate the battery's self-assessment for accurate remaining time estimates. However, generally keep your battery above 20 percent (as per Samsung's recommendation).

These are guidelines. Modern devices have built-in mechanisms to mitigate the effects of constant charging. Technological improvements also contribute to longer battery life with each generation of devices.

Battery Storage and Maintenance

Lithium-ion batteries dislike temperature extremes. Avoid leaving devices in hot cars or cold rooms. Pay attention to overheating during charging, though modern devices usually prevent this.

Always use the original or a certified replacement charger. This ensures safe and efficient charging.

For long-term storage, charge to approximately 50 percent (as recommended by Apple and others), turn the device off, and store it in a moderate temperature environment.

Consult your device's documentation for additional battery care tips. By following these guidelines, you can significantly extend your device's battery life.

The above is the detailed content of Charge your lithium-ion battery devices for maximum longevity. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!