If your phone’s battery is draining faster than usual, it either means you’re using a lot of energy or your phone is not using energy efficiently.This could mean you’re overworking your phone by running too many applications, or something is physically wrong with the phone battery itself.
How do phone batteries work?
When you plug in your phone, electrons enter your phone battery from the power source, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). These electrons attract lithium ions. Think of them as really tiny balls of lightweight metal. to the anode.When the phone is disconnected from the power source, the lithium ions switch directions and travel from anode to cathode. Once all of the lithium ions end up in the cathode, the battery will “die” because it’s no longer producing a circuit.
Reasons why your phone is draining so fast
If your phone is using a lot of energy, or if it’s not using energy efficiently, the battery will drain faster. Here are some of the main factors that can cause it to drain fast.
Your screen is too brightThe brighter your screen, the more energy you’re using, according to a study from Purdue University.
Most phones have a feature that automatically adjusts your screen’s brightness to complement the lighting of your surroundings.
You don’t necessarily have to worry about reducing brightness while using your phone but think about reducing brightness when you’re not using it. One way to do this is to make the screen idle time as short as possible, which automatically shuts the screen off when you’re not actively using it.
Does dark mode use less battery?
Yes, using dark mode is generally more energy efficient. Dark mode is a feature some phones have where you can make the background of your interface darker colors. The study from Purdue University found that switching to dark mode when your screen is at 100% brightness Can save up to almost 50% battery power.
You’re using data instead of Wi-FiTypically, Wi-Fi connections use less battery power than data connections, states The New York Times. Because constantly searching and switching connections between multiple towers typically uses more battery power. A weak Wi-Fi connection, however, could drain faster than it would if you had a strong connection, as it strains to remain connected to a weak signal.A weak Wi-Fi connection, however, could drain faster than it would if you had a strong connection, as it strains to remain connected to a weak signal .
Some phone settings allow apps to operate in the background, says The New York Times, so long as you’re connected to Wi-Fi or data, which would also contribute to a quicker draining battery.
You have poor receptionIt takes energy for your phone to search for a signal, according to The New York Times, and it’s not necessarily going to stop searching on its own. Many underground, remote, and/or mountainous areas are prone to having poor reception, and it’s best to turn off your cellphone’s data while traveling through these areas to preserve battery life.
The phone is old or outdatedModern smartphones that came out after 2017 have OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screens, which don’t have backlights like LCD (liquid crystal display) screens do.
Upgrading your phone to a modern model may be the simplest way to get the most battery-friendly features available.
Your phone is exposed to extreme temperaturesExtreme heat and cold can negatively affect how your battery operates, according to The New York Times. Specifically, it often makes it harder for the battery to hold a charge. Be mindful of keeping your phone warm when it’s below freezing and cool when it’s hot out.
You charged your phone too longReducing the amount of times you charge your phone to 100% can help prolong the life of your battery to a certain extent, says The New York Times.
And just as you might avoid overcharging, so do you want to stay away from letting your phone run completely low. Consumer Reports pegs 80% as the ideal charging limit for your battery. But it’s important to note that charging your battery, period, will cause it to degrade over time.
Also important is where you charge your phone. As mentioned above, overheating can cause affect battery health and charging your phone under your pillow runs the risk of doing just that, says PCMag.
Always check for OS system updatesSystem updates can help your phone use battery energy more efficiently in many ways according to PCMag. For example, some modern operating systems have features that allow your phone to better limit background usage of programs, other updates let your phone control how much battery it uses while charging.
How long do phone batteries last?
Modern lithium-ion phone batteries usually operate at full capacity for at least a year and up to five years (or between 500–1000 charge cycles), according to TechAdvisor. After that, their capacity will be reduced, meaning the older batteries won’t hold a charge as well or as long.
Daily charging and keeping the phone away from extreme temperatures (both hot and cold) will help prolong the life of the battery.
3 tips to make your phone’s battery last longer
When you start to see your battery draining as soon as you power it on, there may be some simple things you can do to extend the battery’s life. Here are a few ways to squeeze out a bit more time from your phone battery.
1. Keep away from extreme temperaturesExtreme temperatures are among the fastest ways to ruin your phone’s battery life. Keeping your phone at room temperature is ideal and be mindful of how hot your phone gets when it’s being charged.
2. Keep the battery at roughly 80%The longer you can keep your phone adequately charged between at 80%, the better.
Keeping it charged – instead of turning it off and on when you have a low battery –will help it better retain its power over the long run.
3. Use only the apps you needDelete apps you don’t use to declutter your phone, turn the brightness down when you can and restrict background usage of nonessential apps.
Many modern phones now include a “battery-saving” feature, which will automatically adjust elements of brightness and app usage to maximize your battery’s efficiency.