Some Computer Battery Talk

[Callahan]

I get a few Kim Komando newsletters and this one from May 10 was interesting. Since I have cut back from charging my batteries to a full 100% with ThinkVantage / ThinkPad Configuration maybe 6 years ago ... I haven't had to buy a new battery at all. There was a mention years ago in this forum about battery charging and after getting it all figured out ... I seem to be having better luck with batteries. Maybe this will be of interest ... there was an article a month or two ago about doing the same with a cell phone battery ... don't charge to 100%.

Tech tips - 5 ways you’re killing your laptop’s battery without realizing it
By Albert Khoury, Komando.com

May 10, 2023

https://www.komando.com/tech-tips/lapto ... 2023-05-10
...

[madicetea]

I get a few Kim Komando newsletters and this one from May 10 was interesting. Since I have cut back from charging my batteries to a full 100% with ThinkVantage / ThinkPad Configuration maybe 6 years ago ... I haven't had to buy a new battery at all. There was a mention years ago in this forum about battery charging and after getting it all figured out ... I seem to be having better luck with batteries. Maybe this will be of interest ... there was an article a month or two ago about doing the same with a cell phone battery ... don't charge to 100%.

Tech tips - 5 ways you’re killing your laptop’s battery without realizing it
By Albert Khoury, Komando.com

May 10, 2023

https://www.komando.com/tech-tips/lapto ... its/886177
...

The article you link appears to be talking about laptop batteries, but do you know any good Android or iOS apps that have a similar function to the ThinkVantage battery charging configuration setting so that the phone battery won't charge fully to 100%?

Regards,

[theterminator93]

Let me know what you find out, if anything, as I too think that would be useful. I rarely use more than 30-40% of my phone's battery in a day so keeping it at 70 or 80% would be beneficial.

Lithium battery chemistry/technology has come a long way in the last 10-15 years, but the most basic principle of cell degradation remains the same. High SoC + high temperature = short lifespan!

[Callahan]

OK ... I don't have a smart phone myself, just a new (old type) flip phone. As I remember I did read that some newer phones have the ability to not fully charge a battery.

5 mistakes you’re making with your phone that’s killing it
By Kim Komando, Komando.com / August 22, 2020

https://www.komando.com/kims-column/5-c ... es/750873/


True or false: You shouldn’t charge your phone overnight
Kim Komando / Special to USA TODAY / March 19, 2021

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/col ... 693141001/

This is from the above article: "Android phone manufacturers, including Samsung, say the same. “Do not leave your phone connected to the charger for long periods of time or overnight." Huawei says, "Keeping your battery level as close to the middle (30% to 70%) as possible can effectively prolong the battery life."

The official word is to keep your phone charged – but not fully charged.

Your battery will automatically stop charging when it’s full, but in some cases, once it drops to 99%, it will need more energy to get back to 100. This constant cycle eats away at your battery’s lifespan. Most phones come with charging regulation options baked in for this reason.

Use your phone’s built-in features

On iPhones running iOS 13 and later, Optimized Battery Charging reduces the amount of time your phone spends fully charged. Once enabled, your iPhone analyzes your charging habits and waits to finish charging past 80% until you need it.

You can override this by tapping and holding down on the “Optimized Battery Charging” pop-up when your phone is plugged in.

This is on by default, but you can double-check it is turned on by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Health > Optimized Battery Charging."

This is what I remember reading in March ... so maybe all newer smart phones have this program built in or some kind of program.
...

[RealBlackStuff]

Or use a power bank for a limited charge-time: https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/accesso ... le-charger

[Callahan]

There was one more article that I remember reading from Kim Komando on phone charging but I couldn't find it to put in my last post. I just now located it. It mentions rapid charging and power banks. As soon as I read the post from RBS I found the article. More or less just use a very good power bank and be careful with 'rapid charging'.

Best ways to charge your phone’s battery
By Kim Komando, Komando.com / October 22, 2022

https://www.komando.com/kims-column/sma ... -2/861926/

This is from the article above:

"Be careful with power banks

Just like with cheap chargers, cheap power banks can ruin your battery over time. Be sure any power bank you use has overcharge protection. If not, you can still use it, but keep an eye out. Once your battery is almost full, unplug it.

It would be best if you also avoided power banks with quick charge options unless they’re from a reliable brand. Here’s a rule of thumb: If you’ve never heard of it, say no.

Rapid charging can send too much electricity to your phone and cause battery damage. This high voltage could, at the very least, shorten your battery lifespan."

... so that's all I remember reading about cell phone batteries for now.

[ChicagoMan74]

Recent Samsung phones have a "Protect battery setting" where you can limit charging to %85.