“Battery life” is the amount of time your device runs before it needs to be recharged. “Battery lifespan” is the amount of time your battery lasts until it needs to be replaced. Maximize both and you’ll get the most out of your devices, no matter which ones you own.
Our smart devices like smartphones, tablets and laptops use lithium-ion batteries. These batteries will lose capacity over time. You can delay this process by taking the measures listed below but you can't stop it entirely. Batteries are designed to retain up to 80 percent of their capacity for a limited number of charge cycles. This number will be slightly higher for bigger and more expensive batteries, typically found in tablets or laptops. For instance, Apple claims that the iPhone can hold 80 percent of its capacity for 500 charge cycles, while the number is 1,000 for iPad and MacBook models. The exact number will vary across devices but this is a fair benchmark.
Now the question is "What's a charge cycle?" The battery completes one charge cycle when you charge it to 100 percent and drain it to 0. If you charge it to 50 percent and then drain it completely, you only complete half a charge cycle. The reality is a little more complicated than that, but it's a good general rule of thumb. That means that you can't avoid charge cycles by bringing your phone back to 100 percent whenever it hits 90 - ten such charges will count as a charge cycle.
Prolonging battery life
On average, most smartphone batteries last between one and two days before being completely depleted, and in need of a recharge.
Here's a checklist you should keep in mind, to keep your batteries healthy for as long as possible...
1) Initialize a new battery...
New batteries should be fully charged before their first use to obtain maximum capacity. Nickel-based batteries should be charged for 16 hours initially and run through 2-4 full charge/full discharge cycles, while lithium ion batteries should be charged for about 5-6 hours. Ignore the phone telling you that the battery is full—this is normal but is not accurate if the battery is not initialized.
2) Avoid fully discharging a lithium-ion battery!!!
Unlike Ni-Cd batteries, lithium-ion batteries' life is shortened every time you fully discharge them. Instead, charge them when the battery meter shows one bar left. Lithium-ion batteries, like most rechargeable batteries, have a set number of charges in them.
3) Don't leave it plugged in all the time…
Leaving your devices plugged in at 100 percent is also harmful for battery life. Battery University says overcharging is not good for the battery: "Avoiding full charge has benefits, and some manufacturers set the charge threshold lower on purpose to prolong battery life... Li-ion cannot absorb overcharge, and when fully charged the charge current must be cut off. A continuous trickle charge would cause plating of metallic lithium, and this could compromise safety."
4) Keep the battery cool...
Your battery will last longest if used near room temperature, and nothing wears on a battery like extended exposure to high temperatures. Your phone is most comfortable at about 32-degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, check the battery while it’s charging. If it seems excessively hot, your charger may be malfunctioning.
5) Medium- to long-term storage…
If you're not using your device for a while, then you should try to keep the battery at around 50 percent before turning it off. If you're going for a long trip and want to leave your phone in storage, most manufacturers recommend that you should keep it in a cool place (the recommended temperature is under 32 degrees Celsius) and ideally, keep the battery at the halfway mark.
Apple's battery guide mentions that if you plan to store the device for longer than six months, you should charge it to 50 percent every six months. This is something you should do regardless of the brand of the device you are using.
J Regardless of the battery type, use only a charger rated for your battery, and discontinue use of a charger that causes the battery to heat up excessively.