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How to tell if your smartphone’s battery is dying

If you are reading this article, it’s probably because your smartphone is acting up or you’re worried that its battery is nearing the end of its life. And you have good reason to worry about the longevity of smartphone batteries. No matter how well you treat your mobile device, eventually, the battery will lose its capacity to hold a charge and your smartphone or tablet will need servicing. Are you curious about how much an Android smartphone battery lasts? Or maybe you want to know the signs that your iPhone battery is dying?

Then, read on:Battery wear is unavoidableSmartphone batteries have come a long way since the early days of mobile devices. Modern smartphones use Lithium-Ion batteries, which have great energy density (meaning they can store a great deal more energy than older batteries, in the same volume), very weigh little, and can be charged relatively fast. But with each charging and discharging, all batteries developed so far lose some of their ability to hold a charge. Energy is stored by transforming electrical current into chemical energy, and over time, materials inside the battery degrade because of that process. If you want more details about why batteries wear over time, here’s an article that explains it in more detail.


So, how much does a smartphone battery actually last?

Well, current technology allows for around 4-500 charging-discharging cycles (from 100% to around 20% and then up again to 100%) before a battery starts losing capacity at an accelerated rate.


If you calculate one full cycle per day, this equates to about two years of usage. After these 4-500 cycles, the battery capacity (which is measured in mili-ampere hour, or mAh) is going to be less than 80% of its original value. Not long after that, the battery will start deteriorating rapidly. If your battery is already acting up, or if you’ve had your smartphone for longer than two years, you should watch out for these signs:
How to tell whether your smartphone’s battery is dying

You did your best to protect the battery (or maybe you didn’t), but now the battery starts acting up. How do you know if it’s dying? Both on Android devices and on iPhones and iPads, battery wear doesn’t manifest itself suddenly.

Even a healthy battery will decrease in capacity over time, but it will do so very slowly. Once it gets to around 80% of the original capacity, though, the effects are much more visible and may interfere with the normal use of the smartphone. Here are eight signs that your battery should be replaced:
1. The battery percentage drops immediately after removing the chargerNormally, the battery should stay at 100% for at least a few minutes after fully charging it. Let it reach 100%, remove the charger and watch the battery percentage. If it drops a few percent immediately, without using it, you should start thinking about replacing the battery.


2. Charging takes longer, especially the last few percentMonitor charging times. If your smartphone takes significantly longer to charge (let’s say an hour and a half compared to an hour when it was new), using the same charger as before, there’s definitely a problem. Furthermore, if charging the last few percent takes forever, it’s a good idea to start looking for a replacement battery (or a service).
Watch out for extremely long charging times3. The smartphone shuts down at a higher battery percentage than normalA smartphone with a good battery should go as low as one or even zero percent until it shuts down. Most modern smartphones warn you 30 seconds before they initiate auto-shutdown so that you have time to save your work. However, if you see it shutting down at higher percentages (like 10-15% or even more), the battery should be replaced.


4.Battery lasts substantially lessAs we mentioned before, once the battery goes beyond a certain number of charge-discharge cycles, its capacity starts declining rapidly. If your smartphone lasts much less than when you bought it, this could be a sign that your smartphone battery is nearing the end of its life. Beware, though, as the battery can also be drained faster due to increased usage or applications consuming battery in the background. To make sure it’s the battery, verify that your usage times haven’t changed and you haven’t installed new applications that could potentially drain the battery faster.


Nothing worse than having your smartphone die on you in the middle of an outdoors activity5. Your smartphone or tablet shuts down when using power-intensive appsIf you suspect your battery is dying, do the following experiment: with the battery as low as 20%, try using the camera to record a video. If the smartphone shuts down quickly or before reaching 1 or 2%, the battery is on its way out. The reason you should try using the camera is simple: it’s one of the (if not the) most power-hungry systems on a smartphone. If the battery is dying, it can’t provide sufficient current to the camera, and the device shuts down.

What can I do if my smartphone’s battery is dying?

Okay, so now you’re positive that your battery has only a few charges left before it finally loses the ability to turn on the phone. What should you do next? Unfortunately, for most modern smartphones and especially Apple devices, the only solution is to take it to a repair shop. Battery replacement is a routine operation and shouldn’t affect the functionality of your device. It usually takes a technician 10-60 minutes to replace the Apple battery, and new parts are available for just about any modern smartphone.

You may wonder: should I attempt to replace the battery myself?

The answer depends on how handy you are with a screwdriver. On almost all modern smartphones, you need to go past glued cases, lots of screws, and even a few connectors to get to the battery. And even then, the battery itself is glued to the chassis, so removing it takes patience. If you want to try replacing it yourself, first look at a tutorial or two on YouTube, there should be plenty available. We recommend iFixit’s YouTube channel for detailed repairs on various mobile devices. Next, make sure you have all the tools and the replacement parts. Take your time to understand the procedure and perform it.

And finally, start with low expectations 
Don’t hesitate to replace the battery, it doesn’t damage the device if it’s done properlyNOTE: If you replace the battery yourself, make sure you dispose of it properly. First, insulate the battery terminals or wires to prevent short circuit, then take the battery to a local battery collection facility. Do not throw it away in the bin. Lithium batteries are extremely flammable if subjected to mechanical damage, not to mention the gasses released are poisonous.

Do you usually replace the battery or the whole smartphone?

We hope our guide helps you diagnose the issues you have with your smartphone. Before leaving this page, we’re curious to know: how many times did you replace the battery on your devices? Did you do it yourself or did you go to a repair shop? Or maybe you just never bothered to change theiphone battery and just replaced the device? Drop a comment below and let us know!

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Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus camera is similar to the S22

While battery life improved, the Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus have the same charging speeds as last year. The Galaxy S23 supports 25-watt fast-charging and 45-watt fast-charging for the Galaxy S23 Plus. But in practice, those charging speeds didn’t feel that different. The Galaxy S23 went from 47% to 86% after 30 minutes, while the Galaxy S23 Plus went from 59% to 94%. 


While charging speed isn’t a deal-breaker when buying a new phone, it would have been nice to see Samsung push forward in this area. That’s especially true considering rivals like Xiaomi and OnePlus continue to shorten the time it takes to replenish their respective 

Galaxy  Battery phones’ batteries. Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus’ new processor is fast
The cS23 and S23 Plus feel snappy and fast in everyday use, as phones in their price range should. Playing games with the graphics and frame rate at the highest settings felt smooth, and apps launched instantly. All three new phones have an adaptive refresh rate that reaches up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and animations, which also contributes to the devices’ peppiness. 


The one area where the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor seems to make a difference in everyday use is exporting video. The Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus both exported a 30-second 4K video to 1080p faster than the Galaxy S22 Ultra and Pixel 7 Pro The iPhone 14, however, was the fastest of the bunch. The Galaxy S23 lineup runs on a special customized version of Qualcomm’s latest mobile chip that’s been optimized for these phones, meaning it’s different from the version inside the OnePlus 11.


Video export test
Benchmarks meant to test general computing (Geekbench 5) and how a processor handles high performance in short bursts (3DMark) told a similar story. The Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus performed well compared to the Galaxy S22 and Pixel 7 Pro, and even outperformed the iPhone 14 on most tests. The OnePlus 11 was their closest competitor, which isn’t surprising considering it has a similar processor. But the Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus did outpace the OnePlus 11 in the test meant to evaluate a processor’s single-core performance , which makes sense considering Samsung overclocked one of the CPU cores. 
That said, real-world usage matters more than benchmarks. Other than the faster video export speeds, I didn’t experience anything on the Galaxy S23 lineup that felt unusually fast compared to most other phones in the same price range.


Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus camera is similar to the S22The Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus each have a triple rear camera that consists of a 50-megapixel main camera, 12-megapixel ultra wide and a 10-megapixel telephoto. Thanks to a technique called pixel binning, you can choose to shoot photos at the full 50-megapixel resolution or 12 megapixels depending on the scenario.

The 12-megapixel option, for example, is usually better for poorly lit circumstances since it groups multiple pixels together to serve as a larger pixel for gathering more light. Samsung also integrates the controls from its Expert Raw app right into the main camera, making it more convenient for those who want easy access to the full, uncompressed version of an image. 
This camera system is largely the same as the one on the S22, although Samsung has made some processing improvements, particularly when it comes to low light photography. That’s the biggest difference I noticed during my time testing the new Samsung phones against the Galaxy  S22. 


Check out the photos of my husband in a dim restaurant below. His face is brighter and his beard is more detailed.

Still, I preferred the iPhone 14’s and Pixel 7 Pro’s images, mostly because they captured more accurate skin tones. The Galaxy S23’s photo is brighter and more detailed than the Pixel 7 Pro’s, but it also makes his face look a little washed out.

The Galaxy S23 performs well in dim conditions overall, which isn’t surprising considering low-light photography has been a big area of ​​​​​​focus for Samsung  Battery  in recent years. Even though the iPhone 14 and Pixel 7 Pro performed better in the examples above, the S23 easily challenges Apple and Google in other low-light photography scenarios, like taking photos of pets and still objects.
In the photos of a book stack below, for example, the Galaxy S23 did a great job at retaining detail and color. The iPhone 14’s photo isn’t as colorful and has some noise compared to Samsung’s, although the Pixel 7 Pro’s image was a close competitor.

Otherwise, there isn’t anything that feels new or surprising about the Galaxy S23’s camera. While the Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus can both capture crisp and clear images, there were instances in which colors either looked exaggerated or blown out compared to the same photos taken on the iPhone 14 and Pixel 7.
You can see an example of the exaggeration in this photo of my husband below. The shade of blue in his denim jacket is brighter than it looked in real life, while the iPhone 14 and Pixel 7 Pro’s photos look more natural.

But a s I said in my review of the S23 Ultra, this isn’t always a bad thing. It can make certain photos pop and look more attractive overall, as is the case with the photo below. The pink flowers look more colorful and vibrant in the S23’s photo compared to the rest.

Samsung also upgraded the Galaxy S23’s selfie camera with a 12-megapixel sensor compared to the S22’s 10-megapixel front camera. However, I didn’t notice much of a difference under normal circumstances. 

But Samsung’s phones  Battery easily took better selfies in low light compared to the iPhone 14 and Pixel 7 Pro. The photos from Google and Apple’s phones are both noisier and grainier than Samsung’s, which I noticed when comparing the photos on a large monitor. The Galaxy S23’s selfie is also a bit clearer than the S22’s, but the difference isn’t as dramatic.   

The Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus have a 3x optical zoom and 30x digital zoom, just like the S22 and S22 Plus. You’ll need to splurge on the $1,200 Galaxy S23 Ultra to get the 10x optical zoom and 100x digital zoom. 
But the S23 and S23 Plus still have more to offer than the $799 iPhone 14, which has a 1x optical zoom and a 5x digital zoom. 

Samsung is usually the king of zoom, but in this scenario Google takes the cake. The Pixel 7 Pro has a 5x optical zoom and a 30x digital zoom that looks far crisper than Samsung’s, as shown below.

As far as video recording is concerned, the S23 and S23 Plus can record at 8K resolution up to 30 frames per second. When recording video at the highest supported resolution and frame rate for each phone (4K at 60 frames per second for the iPhone 14 and Pixel 7 Pro), I noticed the Galaxy S23’s footage had more accurate color tones compared to the Pixel 7 Pro. The iPhone’s video, however, looked a bit crisper.
I also noticed that video stabilization improved slightly on the Galaxy S23 compared to the Galaxy S22, enabling it to better compete with Apple’s Action Mode.


The Galaxy S23’s camera isn’t a leap forward, but it’ll feel significant to those upgrading from a phone that’s several years old. 
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Samsung Announces Another Cell Phone Battery Recall

Just when we thought the issues with overheating Samsung batteries had passed, the company has announced a recall of about 10,200 lithium-ion batteries because of overheating, fire, and burn hazards.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall on August 16, 2017, noting that these are batteries that have been placed in refurbished phones.
Samsung Recalls Batteries in Refurbished PhonesCustomers who are using refurbished AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note 4 cell phones distributed as replacement phones through AT&T’s insurance program may be affected. Samsung has determined that some of the recalled SamsungSmartphone Battery batteries are counterfeit and show anomalies that can lead to overheating. The phones were provided as replacement phones between December 2016 and April 2017.
Samsung has advised consumers to stop using the batteries immediately, and to power down their cell phones. Then they should expect to receive by mail from FedEx Supply Chain a free, new replacement battery and a postage paid box to return the recalled battery. Consumers can identify the new, replacement batteries by a green dot that has been affixed to them.
So far, there have been no reports of property damage or injuries related to this recall.
Samsung Recalled One Million Phones in 2016Back in September 2016, the CPSC announced the recall of Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphones, because they contained lithium-ion batteries that could overheat and catch fire. The phones were sold before the recall date at stores nationwide, including AT&T, Best Buy, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, and Verizon.
Prior to the recall, Samsung received 92 reports of the batteries overheating, including 26 reports of burns and 55 reports of property damage, including fires in cars and a garage. The recall affected about 1 million units, and Samsung promised free replacements for consumers.
In January 2017, Recode Media reported that after months of investigating, Samsung had concluded that there was nothing wrong with their Galaxy Note7 phones, but instead, they discovered flaws with the batteries themselves. In one, a design flaw caused the electrodes to bend, which could lead to a connection between the positive and negative tabs, causing a short circuit.
In a second battery Samsung obtained from another provider, a manufacturing issue led to a welding defect that prompted the battery to short circuit and ignite.
Manufacturers Responsible for Battery SafetyIt’s not only phones struggling with lithium-ion batteries. Other devices, including e-cigarettes and hoverboards, have been in the news because of overheating-related incidences and injuries. These batteries are popular because they store a lot of energy in a small space , so they work well for powering many different products, but they are naturally vulnerable to short-circuiting and over-charging. They are also filled with a flammable substance that can explode when it gets too hot.
As technology continues to move forward at breakneck speeds, manufacturers must take steps to make sure their batteries are safe. Proper protection Samsung Cell Phone  batteries can reduce the risk of short-circuiting and overheating, while increasing resistance to physical abuse.

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Smartphone Insurance: Is It Worth Paying?

Most of us have been there. You’ve been going about your day and drop your phone, shattering the screen. Or maybe you leaned over a little too far to reach something in your kitchen, only to knock your phone into the sink? Been Rushing to get to work and dropped your phone in a puddle?


It’s nearly impossible to find someone who has never accidentally damaged theiriPhone or Android device these days. Our smartphones are a huge part of our daily lives, so it’s only natural to expect they might become damaged at some point.

But is spending money on smartphone insurance in Warsaw, Indiana really worth it?


The Details On Smartphone Insurance In WarsawOn its surface, smartphone insurance is just like any other type of insurance policy you purchase. You buy a plan and either pay a monthly fee or an upfront annual cost. The idea is if something happens to your phone, you’ll get reimbursed for the cost after meeting your deductible.
The most common plans are offered by phone manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, and Google. Basic plans should cover manufacturing defects in your phone, battery replacement, and loss or theft. There are also options through your cell phone service provider such as Verizon, T -Mobile, etc).


It’s important to realize that you can often only receive these benefits after meeting a deductible. That means not every repair will be completely covered and you’ll likely need to pay some amount out of pocket.


If you need to send your phone to the manufacturer to fix it, it can take anywhere from 3-10 business days in most cases. If you buy phone insurance from a third-party provider you might get a refund for your phone instead of a replacement if they can’t fix the problem.
Manufacturer WarrantiesRemember that manufacturer warranties are not the same as phone insurance. Your warranty usually only covers phone defects, so if you drop your phone or lose it, your warranty won’t help.
Decide If Phone Insurance Is Worth The CostBefore you decide to spend your hard-earned money on smartphone insurance, take a few minutes to ask yourself a few questions:


Who is using the phone and what type of device is it?What plans are available and at what cost?What will insurance cover?Is an alternative to insurance a better choice?ExampleYou own the latest iPhone, which will automatically put you in the highest cost for an out-of-pocket deductible. But, iPhones are expensive, so you may want to protect your investment.
6 months after you bought your phone, you drop it and crack the screen and the backglass shutters. AppleCare+ can be a decent deal for iPhone users, but you are usually limited to 2 accidental damage repairs and you will still need to pay out of pocket .


If you don’t have an Apple store nearby (like those of us in the Warsaw, IN area), you’ll be facing days or even weeks without your phone if you need to mail it in for repairs.
Trust The Lab With Your Phone Repairs In Warsaw, IndianaOne of our most popular services at The Lab is our iPhone back glass repair. It’s a repair that a lot of people put off because it’s expensive and inconvenient for Apple to fix. Apple usually charges anywhere from $349 – $599, since it doesn’t fall under their standard “screen replacement” repair.


We use Warsaw’s only state-of-the-art laser machine specifically designed to repair your iPhone’s back glass. The best part is that the repair only takes 4 hours and usually costs $130 – $150 (+tax) depending on the model.
From screen repairs to battery replacements and more, The Lab is often your most cost-effective solution for phone repairs. 


If you’re buying a new phone and aren’t sure whether it’s worth buying phone insurance, give us a call and we’ll be happy to walk you through your options. We’re always ready to create smiles through our outstanding customer service !

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When To Replace Your Cell Phone Battery

Did you know that the average cell phone battery only lasts two years? But just because your battery is slowing down or won’t hold a charge doesn’t mean you need a completely new phone. 

You might be able to simply replace the phone battery in Warsaw, Indiana, and get another 2-3 years out of your phone!
Signs Your Battery Needs To Be ReplacedYour phone battery won’t usually just stop working with no warning. There are signs you can look for in order to plan for a replacement.


Sluggish PerformanceYou might start noticing that your phone is responding slower to taps or prompts. Do apps take longer to launch than they used to?


Increased Battery DrainIf your phone’s power isn’t lasting as long as it used to, that is a sign that your battery needs to be replaced. If you need to charge your phone more than once a day, it’s definitely time to bring it into The Lab.


Won’t Hold A ChargeHas your phone stopped powering up to 100% or shuts down unexpectedly? If this keeps happening, especially if it’s paired with your phone overheating, it’s a sign that your battery should be replaced.
Tips For iPhone UsersIf you have an iPhone 6 or newer, you can use the Battery Health feature to check in on your battery.

Photo provided by digitaltrends.comThis iPhone feature gives you crucial information about your battery’s performance. “Maximum Capacity” shows you how well your battery is performing compared to when it was brand new. 
While a slightly lower percentage is lower as your phone ages, it should still retain about 80% of the capacity at 300-500 charge cycles. If it starts dropping below 80%, it’s time for a battery replacement.


Tips For Android Phone UsersMost current Android phone models provide a battery usage setting similar to the iPhone. If your Android phone doesn’t offer that setting, try looking for a third-party app in the Google Play store that can help.

Photo provided by digitaltrends.comWith Android devices, you still want to keep your phone’s battery at 80% and above percentage the same way you would with an iPhone. 
When It’s Time To Get A New Cell Phone Battery In WarsawIf you have a new phone that you’re using the way a typical phone would be used, your battery should work at 80% and above for 2-3 years.


You can keep your battery lasting even longer by keeping it protected from extreme cold and heat and charging it appropriately.
Replacing cell phone batteries is one of the most common repairs we do at The Lab. Replacing the battery in your smartphone is often much cheaper than recycling it and purchasing a new device.


Check out the estimated battery replacement costs on our Phone Repair page and bring your phone into The Lab today! Our expert repair technicians can get yourbattery replaced and your phone back in your hands fast.

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5 Tips to Boost Your Android Phone’s Battery Life

Today’s Android phones pack big, bright screens and high-end features that suck plenty of power. Here’s how to squeeze the most juice out of your battery.
There are a number of factors that contribute to poor battery lifeon your Android phone. Thinner bodies, brighter screens, faster processors, more background software, and speedier internet connections all take their toll on phone batteries, but manufacturers are also incorporating more powerful batteries to compensate.


Most new flagship phones offer all-day battery. The Google Pixel 7 Pro’s 5,000mAh battery provided just under 11 hours of juice in our tests, while the Samsung Galaxy S22Ultra ran for a bit over 12 hours. Still, there are ways to get more out of any phone.
Menu settings will differ based on which phone you’re using and what operating system version you have; in this story, we used a Samsung Galaxy S20FE running Android 11. But all Android devices should have similar features. With this caveat in mind, here are some ways to improve the battery life on your Android phone.
1. Turn On Power Saving ModeThink you’re going to be stuck in a situation where you need your phone battery to last longer than it normally does? Switch your phone into power saving mode, which automatically cuts back on functions that may eat battery life. On our Samsung device, we opened Settings > Battery and device care, then tapped the Battery entry.


Below the battery usage chart, we enabled Power saving mode to immediately limit networking, syncing, and location services, and turn down the screen’s refresh rate. By tapping Power saving mode, we could further customize the feature by turning off the Always on Display, limiting CPU speed to 70%, or decreasing brightness by 10% in order to save even more battery life. There is also a Power Saving option in the Quick Settings menu.


For maximum power-saving, the Limit apps and Home screen option enables only selected apps and limits all background activity when power saving mode is turned on. For older versions of Android, you may be offered multiple power saving mode presets, each with a different balance between performance and battery life.
If you’re on a Google Pixel, you can set similar battery limits under Settings > Battery > Battery Saver. There are also options to schedule when Battery Saver turns on and enable Extreme Battery Saver to get even more battery life.


2. Adjust Screen BrightnessSmartphone screens are big, bright battery hogs. You probably don’t need your device turned up to the brightest setting. Go into your Display settings and turn down the brightness on the screen. You can also open the pull-down screen and control the brightness from there.
While you’re at it, consider disabling auto brightness. This feature adjusts based on your perceived needs but can also raise the brightness of your display higher than it needs to be. Turn off the switch next to Adaptive brightness and your eyes (and battery) will thank you.


3. Manage Your Lock ScreenAlways on Display may be a brand new feature for iPhone users, but it’s been available on Android devices for quite some time. This allows basic information, such as the time and date, to be visible on the screen when the display is otherwise turned off . The feature is meant to use as little energy as possible, but you can set limits to squeeze out every drop of power.If you own a Samsung Galaxy device, head to Settings > Lock screen and disable the switch next to Always on Display. You can also tap Always on Display to set it to only display when the screen is tapped or just at certain times if you don ‘t want to lose the feature completely. Most Pixel phones allow you to make changes under Display > Lock screen > Always show time and info.


4. Set When Your Screen Times Outscreen timeout settingsThe longer your phone’s screen stays on, the more battery life you use up. You can counter this by setting the screen to turn off sooner than it might normally. If you tend to abandon your unlocked phone on the table, this is the feature to change. On both Galaxy and Pixel phones, you can open Settings > Display > Screen timeout, and then select among a number of options, from 15 seconds to 10 minutes.


5. Turn Off Location and Wireless Servicesairplane modeEven when it’s sitting idle, there are all sorts of signals being sent from your phone that can ultimately drain your phone’s battery (even if it happens only a little bit at a time). If you want the maximum amount of power you can get, there are a few backend services you can turn off if you don’t want to go full Power Saving mode.


Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile data use up battery life with each new ping you receive. An easy way to conserve somebattery is to open the pull-down shade on your phone and tap the Airplane mode button. This will instantly disconnect your phone from all these services and save some juice.


Location services may let you navigate with Google Maps, but all those GPS pings that happen in the background can wear down a battery quick. You can turn off location services completely from Settings > Location to stop Google from tracking you. However, this will stop a number of apps from working properly. Instead, you can select App permissions to revoke access to only specific apps that may be particularly bad about pinging your phone.

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6 common battery myths you probably believe

Concerned about overcharging? Think it’s healthier to completely discharge your battery?Here’s the truth.We here at Android Authority are often asking you, dear reader, for feedback on the smartphones running our favorite operating system. One of the most consistent bugbears over the years has been to do with battery life — whether it’s finicky fast charging or just phones just downright not lasting long enough. These complaints are certainly warranted — there’s nothing more frustrating than suffering the dreaded battery anxiety at 5 pm, as you’re trying to make dinner plans.


Virtually everyone has experienced gadget battery problems at some point in their life, so it’s no surprise people hunt for smartphones continuously with the best battery life. And if that fails, they dole out all sorts of little tips and tricks to make their batteries healthier and healthier longer-lasting. However, knowing the scientifically-backed tips from the plethora of absolute malarkey is increasingly difficult. In fact, you probably believe one of the many prevailing battery myths (I know I did!). So now it’s time to go on a battery myth-busting spree.

Does leaving a phone on the charger all night overcharge its battery?

samsung galaxy s22 ultra chargingThis is one of the most common rumors we come across but it’s just plain wrong. Or at least the overcharging part is. It’s complicated, as leaving your smartphone plugged in overnight certainly isn’t dangerous but it might make your battery age marginally faster.

“Overcharging” is the term that gets thrown around a lot with this one. The misnomer is if you leave your phone on the charger for a while after it hits 100%, it will keep pumping in the current and that will reduce the capacity of the battery, or even cause it to catch fire.
You don’t have to worry about overcharging modern smartphones.This myth has some origins, so it’s no surprise it’s stuck around. In the days of yore, lithium-ion batteries could overheat if you left charging them for too long. This did, in fact, cause damage to the battery and reduce performance .

Hell, it even led some to explode.
Modern devices and wall chargers are way smarter with managing power and will gradually reduce the amount of current as the phone fills up. However, there is some truth to the reduced capacity issue, as both extreme heat and high charging power levels do cause lithium- ion batteries to age faster. Charging all the way to 100% quickly is slightly worse for your battery than stopping before then. It might surprise you to note that manufacturers will often lie about when your smartphone really hits 100% just to eke out a little more battery longevity.


If you have a poorly designed case that doesn’t allow for heat dissipation, or you tuck your phone under your pillow at night, the heat build-up is definitely bad for the battery. The same applies if you leave your phone charging on a hot dashboard too.
Should you completely discharge a battery before charging it?

Google Pixel 7a wireless charging 1OK so, anyone thinking they need to discharge their batteries before charging them up is thinking about a different kind of battery entirely. Nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride batteries are what these folks are talking about, but smartphones use lithium-ion and lithium -polymer batteries.
Once again, the myth’s origin has a firm basis. It’s absolutely true that older nickel-centric batteries would ‘forget’ their full capacity if you didn’t fully drain them before charging again. But lithium-ion is a different ballgame. It doesn ‘t forget and can retain a working charge across the entire battery. In fact, discharging your battery to 0% lowers its voltage and places some additional strain on the battery when recharging.


It’s true that lithium-ion diminishing batteries in capacity with every charge cycle, but this effect is quite small. While not quite draining and filling up your smartphone battery can have marginal benefits, it’s unlikely to have a notable effect on your smartphone’s battery capacity unless you keep the phone for many years. Most smartphone batteries retain 80% or more of their original charge capacity even after several years of heavy use. And even then, it’s easy to replace smartphone batteries if you want to restore its full capacity.

Do you have to use the official brand charger for your phone?

Google 30W USB C Power Charger upright next to boxOh boy, this one. This has its roots in what is essentially marketing. Whenever you buy your shiny new phone from a given manufacturer, the odds are pretty good that the manual or spec sheet will suggest you buy chargers from the company that made your device. They want you to buy their accessories, after all.


There are still plenty of smartphones that use proprietary charging standards and therefore won’t fast-charge with third-party plugs. However, plenty of phones now support universal charging standards like USB Power Delivery. Handsets include the ever-popular Apple iPhone 14, Google Pixel 7, and Samsung Galaxy S23 series. That’s right, you don’t have to buy the official chargers for these smartphones in order to power them up as quickly as possible.


You’ll have to pay attention to the charging standard and power you require, but with those bits of information at hand, there’s a wide market of affordable third-party chargers that are great buys for your new smartphone. If you want to steer clear of the few bad eggs, be sure to pick out a charger from our carefully curated list below:

To combat this issue, a small selection of phones, such as the Sony Xperia 1 IV’s Heat Suppression Power Control, offer a power pass-through option that draws power directly from the mains and doesn’t charge the battery while you’re gaming. It’s a smart option if you’re planning a prolonged gaming session as your phone is more likely to warm up.

Does disabling Bluetooth and Location drastically improve battery life?

The Google Pixel Buds 2020 true wireless earbuds case open and next to a Pixel smartphone with the Bluetooth dropdown menu displayed.This is another one of those rumors that have stuck around because it actually used to be good advice. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth used to latch onto your smartphone’s battery life like a vampire bat, but they’re nowhere near so bloodthirsty today. Location services are even leaner.
Don’t believe me, we even tested screen-on time with Bluetooth enabled and disabled. The result — on average less than 4% extra battery drain by leaving Bluetooth on. That works out to maybe a few minutes of screen-on time, hardly worth fretting about if you forget to turn the toggle off.


So while it’s true that disabling all these options or going into airplane mode will save some battery life, we’re talking a very tiny sliver — like half an hour over the span of an entire day — so the gains are arguably not worth the trouble . Furthermore, chipsets and technologies are more efficient every year, drawing less and less power when idle. So leave the services that you use on regular running all you want. Yourphone is designed to handle it.

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What to do if your phone battery is swollen

As impressive as modern smartphone technology is getting, batteries still rely on chemical reactions. This means these units are prone to some issues, one being battery swelling. It’s not a common issue for most, but the topic pops up from time to time. Apple , Samsung, and even Google devices have had problems with this in the past. It’s not only an annoyance, but a swollen phone battery can be dangerous. This is why today we’re showing you what to do if your phone battery is swollen.

If you find out your phone battery is swollen, you should be very careful with it, as it may be dangerous and is technically a fire hazard. The best you can do is stop using it, turn it off, and go to a professional to get the battery replaced. This may cost money, unless your phone is still under warranty or covered by insurance.
If the phone is no longer worth fixing, you should recycle it safely. You can find recycling centers at call2recycle.org.What causes a swollen phone battery?Galaxy iPhone and Pixel smartphones with selection of chargers 2There are multiple reasons why a lithium-ion battery may swell. There is usually one underlying cause for this to happen, though. Batteries usually swell because gas builds up, creates pressure, and expands them.

With that in mind, we must consider the more common causes for a battery to store gas. Manufacturer defects can happen. If the battery maker doesn’t make the battery correctly, gas can slowly build up during the charging process. This essentially means simply charging your phone enough times could be an issue, especially considering juicing up your phone also creates heat.
Heat commonly speeds the process, too. You should probably make sure not to leave a phone in the sun too much, or next to very hot items.
Additionally, physical damage to the battery can be a very common cause of battery swelling.

Have you ever dropped your phone? Maybe you accidentally punctured the battery?

This could be why your battery is swelling. Not to mention batteries get old, too. Chemical reactions can change, and parts weaken.
By the way, this shouldn’t be a common occurrence. Unless there’s a severe manufacturer defect, most batteries should last the couple or few years most users keep a device.


How to know if your phone battery is swollenpixel5a vancouver 1It’s much harder to tell if your battery is swelling these days, as handsets with removable batteries are becoming very scarce. We never really see our batteries anymore. This makes it harder to identify a swollen or damaged battery.
The easiest way to tell if a battery is swollen is by inspecting the device (or battery, if you can). Are there any bumps?

You may notice an unusual wobble when you lay it on a flat surface. Also, look for warped shapes or signs of the phone disassembling itself. Smartphone backplates start to come off as the battery’s swollen shape puts pressure against them.
While not as safe, the smell can also be a sign of a swollen battery.

We wouldn’t advise that you actively try to inhale chemicals, but this is something you may have accidentally noticed already. Does your phone smell odd? People describe a bad battery smell as metallic, and sometimes even sweet.
Even simple things like battery performance can be a dead giveaway. If your battery is charging too slowly, or the charge isn’t lasting as long as it should, this may be a cause of concern.
What to do if your phone battery is swollenMoto G Power 2021 back of phone in hand – Swollen phone batterySo you’ve found something odd with your smartphone’s battery. Is it safe to use a swollen phone battery? Definitely not! A swollen lithium-ion battery can be very dangerous. The pressure can make gases escape, and the battery can even catch fire or explode, especially if pierced.
Your first step should be to turn off the device immediately, and keep it off. Don’t plug it in or mess with it, either. Leave it in a safe place and keep it there, preferably away from anything that can burn.


A swollen lithium-ion battery can be very dangerous!If it’s possible, and safe to do so, you should probablyremove the battery. Just be careful not to mess with it too much in the process, and try to avoid smelling any fumes it may give off. We actually recommend taking the phone to a professional instead. Technicians will have the necessary knowledge and tools to do this easily. They can also find a suitable replacement for you. This will likely incur some charges and require replacement purchases, though.


If your phone is still under warranty or insurance, your best bet is to go with the carrier, retailer, or company handling the coverage.


How to dispose of a swollen phone batteryE Waste Recycle 2 – Swollen phone batteryIf you remove the battery yourself, you should get rid of it safely. You shouldn’t just dump it in the trash. A swollen phone battery is a fire hazard, and no one wants that at home.
If and when it’s safe, you should take your smartphone batteryto an authorized battery collection center or a recycling location. You can find your nearest one at call2recycle.org. You can ship them, but we wouldn’t recommend that either. Shipping usually entails a lot of movement, banging around, and packages being around plenty of flammable materials.

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Apple could be planning a big change for its iPhone 15 launch

Apple Retail employees across the globe work tirelessly in the build-up to a new iPhone launch to ensure customers have the Apple experience they’ve come to know and love on launch day.
Usually, this means overnight teams working around the clock a few times over the course of iPhone launch week so that the Apple Store is ready for the busiest period of the year.

question (most often the night before), a strange new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims that this year, Apple Retail Stores are actually planning for overnight updates on the same night as the September 12 “Wonderlust” event, possibly hinting at “near- immediate availability” forApple’s new iPhone. 
Gurman’s report indicates that this faster approach to an overnight could be because Apple is planning for a quicker launch than we’ve come to expect in previous years. Although, logistically, that would be incredibly difficult to coordinate. We still expect iPhone 15 preorders to open on Friday after the event (September 15), with the launch day scheduled for the following Friday (September 22).


Apple’s Wonderlust event is scheduled for September 12. We expect to see the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max alongside new Apple Watches like the Series 9 and Ultra 2 revealed.

While a rumored overnight update happening on September 12 would imply that Apple wants to have the Apple Stores ready quicker than ever before in time for the iPhone 15 launch, I think it’s far less interesting than the headlines would suggest.

 The store goes through loads of changes throughout an iPhone launch week, and this overnight update could be used to make the process smoother rather than relying on a single overnight shift the evening before launch. Overnights happen throughout the year, and while the most exciting ones are for new product launches where new products are installed on tables and secured to prevent theft, there are also overnight shifts to get the stock room ready for a launch, as well as updating software or changing in-store merchandising graphics.

Some Apple overnights even involve simply counting all the stock in a store to check the accuracy of stock levels, a twice-yearly event known as Physical Inventory — or they might just be doing a deep clean that happens to fall on the evening of the biggest event of the year (unlikely but again,overnights are common).


To think that Apple could speed up the Apple Store overnight updates to launch the iPhone 15 sooner would be almost impossible, considering Apple employees don’t get any info on releases in advance, and a three-day turnaround from the reveal would be incredibly difficult That said, Apple has shocked us in the past, but we’ll have to wait until September 12 to have more information on whether this is a routine overnight shift that’s made the news for no apparent reason or if Apple has chosen to defy the odds and drop the latestiPhone a week earlier than expected.

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How to check iPhone battery health and find out how and when to replace it

Find out if your iPhone battery needs replacing and what to do if it does. We explain how to check your iPhone’s Battery Health and where to get the battery replaced if necessary – and whether you can do it yourself.
Reports in August 2023 suggested that the batteries in the iPhone 14 generation had depleted faster than expected, with people reporting reduced battery health by up to 10%.


People wouldn’t even know that their batteries had depleted if Apple didn’t give them this information–which is something it was forced to do a few years ago after the ‘Batterygate’ scandal where the company was found to be throttling iPhones whose batteries were degrading. Apple maintained this was to stop iPhones suddenly shutting down. Since the arrival of iOS 11.3 in early 2018 it’s been possible to go to Settings > Battery and tap on Battery Health to see how healthy your battery is.
[If you were affected by Batterygate and made a claim in the class-action suit back in 2018 you may be getting around $65 from Apple!]


In more recent times Apple has made changes to iOS to preserve the battery for longer, including Optimized Battery Charging, which prevents an iPhone from remaining plugged in for long periods while fully charged. Optimized Battery Charging has been a default setting since iOS 13 arrived in 2019. You have probably noticed if you wake up in the night and look at the iPhone charging beside you that it will have stopped charging at 80% with a view to continuing the charge just before you wake up.This is designed to stop the battery from overheating and reduce the number of times your iPhone receives a full charge.

But why do iPhone batteries lose their ability to charge over time? When should your iPhone battery be replaced?

You may also want to know how much it costs to replace an iPhone battery and how you can tell if a battery in a used iPhone has been replaced.
We’ll run through everything you need to know about iPhone batteries below.

Why do batteries deplete and degrade over time?

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that over time an iPhone battery will eventually start to lose its ability to hold a decent charge, just like the battery in any phone. 
The science of this relates to chemical reactions that happen inside the lithium-Ion battery and degrade it. over time and sadly the battery for your iPhone is no exception.

In a letter regarding Batterygate in December 2017, Apple explained that the “time and the number of times a battery has been charged are not the only factors in this chemical aging process. Device use also affects the performance of a battery over its lifespan. example, leaving or charging a battery in a hot environment can cause a battery to age faster.”


As the battery gets older it may start to require charging more frequently, hold charge less well, or even start to shut down your phone unexpectedly. You may have started to notice this change, but if you want to see the evidence it is easy to Check your battery health, as we will demonstrate below.


How to check iPhone battery health

In early 2018 Apple issued an iOS software update with new features that it said “give users more visibility into the health of their iPhone’s battery, so they can see for themselves if its condition is affecting performance”.
Open Settings.Tap on Battery.Tap on Battery Health & Charging. (In older versions of iOS this was just Battery Health).Note the percentage beside Maximum Capacity.Also note the message below Peak Performance Capability. It could include details of whether your iPhone has experienced any battery-related issues.Here you can see the maximum capacity, which in the case of our year-old iPhone 14 is 95%.

If you are wondering what iPhone capacity is bad that would generally be anything under 80%, but understandably people with iPhones under a year old would be expecting better than 90%.
iPhone 14 Battery Health 95%

How do you know when an iPhone battery should be replacedOnce your iPhone’s battery passes the 500 complete charge point it’s probably time for it to be replaced.
Unfortunately, iOS doesn’t indicate how many times your current battery has been charged, but it does try to prevent too many full charges with the Optimized Battery Charging feature mentioned above.
However, once your Battery Health (which you can discover by following the steps above) falls to 80% it is time to get it replaced. In fact, Apple will display the message: “Your battery’s health is significantly degraded. An Apple Authorized Service Provider can replace the battery to restore full performance and capacity.”

If the battery in your iPhone–or a used iPhone you are considering buying–has depleted to 80% or lower you s isk that something could happen to your iPhone.
How to maximize iPhone battery lifeIf you want to make sure your battery lasts as long as possible until you have a chance to get it replaced, then try the following suggestions:


Turn off Location Services.Disable Background App Refresh.Make sure Auto-Brightness is enabled.Use Airplane Mode when you don’t need to be connected to the internet.We have lots more tips about saving battery life on your iPhone here.


If you’re really desperate to get some more mileage out of your iPhone, then perhaps consider a battery case. iPhone MagSafe battery pack cases here.