Many users still believe that phone batteries should be fully discharged before recharging, despite major advances in modern battery technology.
Experts confirm that this practice is no longer necessary for the lithium-ion batteries used today in smartphones, wireless devices, and electric cars. In fact, doing so frequently may shorten the battery’s long-term lifespan.
This belief originates from the era of nickel-cadmium (NiCad) batteries, popular from the 1960s to the early 2000s. NiCad batteries suffered from the so-called “memory effect,” a gradual loss of capacity due to repeated partial charging without full discharge. Over time, fully discharging the battery became part of users’ “care rituals.”
However, modern lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries do not suffer from this effect. Steven Athwal, a specialist in refurbished mobile phones, explains that many users still intentionally discharge their devices “believing it benefits the battery, similar to deleting unnecessary files—but it doesn’t work that way.”
Lithium-ion batteries operate through the movement of lithium ions between electrodes during charging and discharging, without the chemical reactions that caused crystal formation in NiCad batteries. Therefore, fully discharging the battery is unnecessary and, if done repeatedly, can be harmful.
Athwal warns that keeping a battery at extreme charge levels—either 100% or 0%—for prolonged periods accelerates aging. He notes: “Occasional complete discharge won’t damage the device, but repeating it often will shorten the battery’s lifespan.”
Experts recommend the “20–80% rule”, meaning lithium-ion batteries perform best when kept between 20% and 80% charge. Ethan Hine, a solar energy contractor, explains that the battery’s internal materials are stressed at very low or very high charge levels, affecting long-term efficiency.
These recommendations align with guidance from major companies like Tesla, which advises electric car owners to avoid frequent full charges unless necessary. The same principle applies to most modern lithium-ion batteries, while older NiCad batteries still require periodic full discharges.
Regarding overnight or fast charging, experts emphasize that the real risk is heat, not charging speed, noting that modern smart technologies help mitigate negative effects and extend battery life.
Al-Bayan
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