What's the best way to charge an iPhone to get the longest battery life for your smartphone? There are a few things you can do, but overnight charging isn't one of them. But why do we do it? Because we want a phone that is charged and ready immediately for prolonged use the next day. Only on the way we damage the battery. Also, using the wrong USB-C cable can cause damage. Here's how to avoid it:
An iPhone can go from zero to 50% charge in about 30 minutes using a 20W charger and then switch to a full charge in less than two hours. Given that an iPhone can charge so quickly, it doesn't make sense for us to plug it into a charger for an extended overnight charge that can last eight hours, which is a third of the battery life overall. On an iPhone, a standard battery is designed to maintain up to 80% of its original capacity in 500 full charge cycles when operating under normal conditions.
Apple has made sure to charge an optimal battery in iOS that stops charging the iPhone when it reaches 80% charge, with the remaining 20% there when you wake up in the morning. But that still means your iPhone is plugged in all night. And it still loads, albeit at a slower pace. Thus it remains at 80%. So why is it bad to leave your phone plugged into a charger for extended periods of time?
Heat!
Heat is a serial battery killer. While there's nothing you can do about the normal wear and tear of a battery from charging and discharging, heat is something you can do something about. When the iPhone is connected to a charger, it heats up, much more than if it is not connected, and although this temperature increase can only be a few degrees above room temperature, repeating this every night can take a toll on its longevity. Not smart.
Two or three times a day. Charging iPhone, photo: @rostooleh / Freepik
The solution – a strategic charging schedule that is self-aware. Instead of relying on overnight charging, opt for short, focused recharges during the day, two to three times.
Here's an example charging schedule: 30 to 45 minutes in the morning after you wake up, and then another charge in the afternoon for another 30 minutes or so to bring it to that 80%, which is usually enough until the next morning, if not, charge for another 30 minutes in the evening before bed (and not the entire night's sleep). Please note that if you spend a lot of time in the car or outdoors, you can use a car charger or a portable charger. This method works well and puts less strain on the iPhone battery (time will tell) and on the charger.
And if you thought the battery doesn't charge all night, then you'll be surprised to know that it does, as long as it's plugged into a charger. Including even when Optimized Battery Charging is enabled on iPhone. Why? Because even when it's just sitting next to you on the nightstand, the iPhone uses the battery, and it fills up to stay at that point of 80%. You can see a charging/discharging chart in the battery > settings. When Optimized Battery Charging is turned on, it will quickly charge to 80% and then stay there until the final charge is added.
This approach is not only designed to reduce the pressure on the iPhone battery, but also makes you plan their charging needs, breaking the reliance on a bedside charger. Plus, integrating car chargers or charging reservoirs on the go ensures your device stays powered up throughout the day.
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