Is Charging While Using Your Phone Killing the Battery?

Summary

In this detailed experiment, we explored common myths and concerns about phone batteries, including whether using your phone while charging hurts the battery, the impact of temperature, and the effect of wireless charging. We found that using your phone while charging doesn't significantly affect battery life more than normal charging. The true factor in battery health is the number of charge cycles. We also tested how the last 1% of battery behaves and found it lasts longer than expected. Additionally, frequent charging, including wireless, doesn't damage the battery. The iPhone’s battery health reading is generally accurate, though not exact. Finally, we discuss the environmental impact of old phone batteries and how to properly dispose of them.

Takeaways

• 😀 Using your phone while charging does not significantly hurt the battery life more than normal charging.
• 😀 The most important factor affecting battery life is the number of charge cycles rather than whether the phone is used during charging.
• 😀 Temperature plays a role in battery life. Charging while using the phone results in a slightly higher temperature (37°C vs. 33°C), but this doesn't drastically impact battery health.
• 😀 A phone battery's life can be affected by extreme temperatures. Charging in a hot environment (45°C) results in a slightly higher capacity drop (9.6%), while cold environments (0°C) lead to more unpredictable battery performance.
• 😀 The last 1% of battery tends to last much longer than other percentages, with a noticeable increase in time to drop from 100% to 99%. This is because the phone isn't fully charged at 100%.
• 😀 Frequent charging, even with wireless charging, does not harm the battery more than regular wired charging.
• 😀 To keep the battery in good health, it is recommended to avoid deep discharges (below 20%) and recharge when convenient.
• 😀 Wireless charging is not inherently worse than wired charging for battery health, as long as the charging cycle is managed well.
• 😀 The iPhone's battery health indicator is fairly accurate, though it may vary by a small margin (less than 1% to over 4%) due to estimates based on factors like cycle count and voltage.
• 😀 The proper way to handle your phone's battery health is to avoid stressing it by using it at extremely high or low temperatures and to avoid using the phone at 1% for too long.
• 😀 The environmental impact of phone batteries is important. Recycling old batteries is essential, and the experiment concluded with an effort to recycle all used batteries properly.

Q & A

Does using your phone while charging hurt the battery?

No, using your phone while charging does not hurt the battery more than charging it without use. The key factor is the number of charge cycles, not whether the phone is used while charging.

What is the main factor affecting battery health?

The main factor affecting battery health is the number of charge cycles. The more times a battery is charged from 5% to 100%, the more its capacity decreases over time.

How much does temperature affect battery health?

Temperature does affect battery health, but as long as the phone operates within a normal temperature range, battery life remains unaffected. In extreme heat (45°C) or cold (0°C), battery performance degrades more significantly.

Is wireless charging worse for the battery than wired charging?

No, wireless charging does not harm the battery more than wired charging. In fact, charging from 80% to 95% wirelessly was shown to cause less capacity loss than charging from 5% to 100% wirelessly.

What happens to the battery health in extreme temperatures?

In extreme heat, batteries degrade slightly more (around 9.6%) compared to normal conditions. In cold temperatures, one of the phones in the cold box showed a 45% drop, making the cold results unreliable.

Does the last 1% of battery last longer than other percentages?

Yes, the last 1% of battery lasts significantly longer than the others. From 100% to 99%, it takes about 3-5 times longer than the time it takes for other percentages to deplete.

Why does the battery seem to last longer at 100% before dropping to 99%?

Phones may show 100% before they are truly fully charged. As they approach 100%, charging slows down, making it seem like the battery lasts longer before dropping to 99%. This is normal behavior due to charging dynamics.

How does frequent charging affect the battery?

Frequent charging does not significantly hurt the battery, as long as you avoid deep discharge (letting the battery go to 0%). Charging from 80% to 95% is actually better for the battery compared to full charge cycles.

Is the battery health reading on an iPhone accurate?

The battery health reading on an iPhone is generally accurate but can be off by as much as 4%. It's based on estimated data, such as cycle count and voltage, rather than a precise measurement of the battery's actual health.

What should you do to maximize the lifespan of your phone’s battery?

To maximize battery lifespan, avoid letting the battery drop too low (below 20%) and avoid charging it to 100% all the time. Wireless charging is fine, and charging your phone throughout the day is recommended to maintain a high charge level.