If you’re one of those busybodies who only get to plug in your phone once it’s nighttime, this blog is for you.
Whenever the question of overnight charging arises, the myths surrounding it rise to the surface. Does it destroy your phone’s battery health? Will the battery deplete faster the next time? Is the internal battery inside your phone slowly being damaged, by a simple habit of overcharging?
Read on to get answers to all these questions:
Does Overnight Charging Actually Damage Your Battery?
This myth of ‘battery overloading’ is baseless, at least in modern smartphones. Smartphones are equipped with internal protection circuits that stop charging once the battery hits 100%. So, in theory, overcharging isn’t a problem for most modern devices.
Exposure to Heat
Smartphones are not immune to temperature crises, which is why heat is a big concern. Charging generates heat and prolonged heat exposure can degrade the battery over time. To prevent unnecessary heat buildup, always charge in a well-ventilated space.
Additional tip, never place your phone under a pillow or in tight, enclosed spaces that may cause unnecessary heat in the battery.
Issues in Older Phones
If you’re using an older phone, or those without optimised charging software, you may have experienced ‘trickle charging’.
Trickle charging happens when the battery hits 100% and the charger continues to supply power at a low rate to top off the charge. This creates a cycle of constant charge bursts that can gradually reduce the battery’s capacity over time.
On newer iPhones, the Optimised Battery Charging feature slows down the charging process and limits it to 80% during long charging periods, like overnight. So, your phone will only top up the last 20% shortly before you wake up.
Maintaining Your Phone’s Battery Lifespan
To extend your battery's lifespan while charging overnight, here are some best practices:
Battery-Saving Features:
Ensure your phone’s optimised charging feature is activated. In iPhones, devices running iOS 13 or later utilise this feature which prevents the phone from staying at 100% for long.
Avoid Draining Your Battery to 0%
Fully discharging a modern smartphone battery is not recommended, as it can wear out the battery faster. Try to charge before the battery hits 0% and consider using a reliable GaN charger for efficient power-ups.
Battery % should be 0% here
Keep Battery Between 30% and 80% for Longevity
Keeping your battery within this range,when possible, can significantly extend its lifespan by reducing stress on the battery.
Charge in a Cool Place:
Charge your phone in a cool environment and avoid placing it on soft surfaces like beds or couches while charging, since they can trap heat. Instead, use a flat and hard surface.
Remove Your Case
As an additional prevention method, you may remove your phone case while charging overnight to allow heat to dissipate more effectively instead of trapping it unknowingly.
Debunking Common Charging Misconceptions
Let’s take a moment to clear up some common myths surrounding phone charging:
Is Charging to 100% Always Bad?
Charging to 100% is not inherently bad, especially with modern devices that manage charging intelligently. However, charging between 30-80% is ideal for battery longevity.
Will Leaving Your Phone Plugged in Overnight Explode It?
While battery explosions of popular smartphone devices might occur, it is mostly due to manufacturing defects. A properly functioning phone with a good battery should never be at a risk of exploding while charging overnight.
Fast Charging Ruins Your Battery
While fast charging is convenient, frequent use can generate heat and put considerable strain on the battery. It’s advisable to use it occasionally instead of regularly as standard charging is gentler on your battery health and can maintain its lifespan better.
Conclusion
If you're satisfied with your phone and wish to keep it running for a few more years, it’s worth following the above mentioned precautions to preserve battery life.
