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Resolved Question

Lithium Ion battery in cell phone: How often to charge?

by Sep 13, 2012 10:20PM PDT

I have gotten mixed advice regarding the proper charging of the battery in my cell phone....how long to charge, how often, etc. What's a good rule of thumb?

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Papa-n-Lola has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
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My advice...
by Forum moderator Sep 13, 2012 11:41PM PDT

...is to charge the phone/battery when it gets down to 25%, which can be daily depending on your average usage. Typically, I charge my phone every night because I am a power user. Sometimes I have to charge more than once a day when I use my phone more than normal.

As I understand, modern batteries and chargers stop charging when the battery reaches full capacity and there is no harm leaving it plugged in overnight. Granted, I wouldn't leave a a charger plugged into the phone for days at a time. I believe that there are many misconceptions out there about charging due to the old NiCad batteries and building up charging "memories" or overcharging/overheating as a result.

I am not claiming to be an expert, just offering my "educated" opinion based on my knowledge and experience of such items. Take it for what it is worth.

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Answer
There are long discussions about this.
by Forum moderator Sep 14, 2012 12:17AM PDT

But if you stand back, you find that cell phone users on average get more life from the battery than say a laptop user. Many think it's because the cell phone user keeps the battery topped off. In other words, plug it in when you can.

Bob

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Lithium Ion battery in cell phone
by OkPhoner Sep 18, 2012 1:11PM PDT

Although not as stringent as nickel metal hydride, lithium battery maintenance but there are many problems, some friends said lithium battery charge and discharge without strict with the use, this is actually wrong with the filling like battery, after all, is the battery recommendations according to Russian experts, the lithium battery, or the need for a formal charge and discharge is better, the best month battery deep discharge once, that is, the so-called remaining battery electric light, and then during the complete charging three times in a row, this practice can continue the high performance of the battery. visible lithium battery is also needed depth charge and discharge

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There is some bad advice going on out there.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Sep 19, 2012 1:45AM PDT

The urban myth of deep discharge continues on. While there are some units that need this to CALIBRATE the host to the battery (it would be incorrect to write calibrate the battery as we are calibrating the host machine to the battery), battery maintenance is performed by the host's battery circuits.

Lots of bad advice out there but since it can improve battery sales for companies, why would I disagree?
Bob

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