Over time, countless applications have been created around mobile phones. Myths, misconceptions, and unfounded advice Far from being helpful, they can confuse users and cause them to use their devices incorrectly or even dangerously. Many of these myths have been passed down from generation to generation; others arise from a limited understanding of technology; and some simply continue to circulate despite the drastically changed technological reality.
In this article we gather the most widespread myths about smartphones and we debunk them with up-to-date technical information, expert recommendations, and practical examples. This way, you'll get a more efficient, safer and longer-lasting use of your mobile phone, avoiding falling into false beliefs that can even cause you problems.
Smartphone Myths: Debunking Common Misconceptions
1. “Better specs always mean better performance”
One of the most common myths is to assume that a mobile phone with a more powerful processor, more RAM or a greater number of cameras will always work better in practiceHowever, a smartphone's performance depends on many factors beyond its technical specifications.
For example, it is common to find mobile phones with latest generation hardware that perform below other 'less powerful' models due to software optimization, power management, internal storage type, or even the android customization layers or pre-installed apps that consume extra resources and slow down the system.
Therefore, daily experience depends as much on the balance between hardware and software such as the quality of the materials, energy efficiency, and the absence of unnecessary background processes. Before deciding on the latest model, consider whether you really need all those new features based on your intended use.
2. “You should only use your smartphone’s original charger.”
It is often recommended to use only the charger supplied by the manufacturer, arguing that other chargers can damage the device. Although it is true that Not all chargers have the same voltage or amperage and using an inappropriate one can affect the battery or even cause overheating, the reality is that Most chargers certified and approved for your model are safe.
If you respect the proper voltage (usually 5V for most modern smartphones), you can use other compatible chargers Quality. The real risk lies in chargers of dubious or counterfeit origin, which may not meet protection standards and damage your battery or even cause accidents. In addition, Fast charging does not damage the battery as long as you use certified accessories and do not expose the device to extreme temperatures.
3. “Leaving your phone charging all night ruins the battery.”
This myth is deeply rooted, but with advances in lithium-ion batteries and energy saving systems, intelligent load management, leaving your phone plugged in for hours is no longer a risk. Both Android and iOS have systems that stop or slow down the charge upon reaching 100%, and even maintain it near 80–85% to avoid electrochemical stress and extend battery life.
Brands like Samsung and Google integrate adaptive load controls that learn your routines and adjust the energy to deliver the final charge just before you wake up. Therefore, You don't have to worry about charging your phone all night., although it is always advisable to use certified chargers and avoid charging on surfaces that accumulate heat, such as beds or pillows.
Heat is the real enemy of the battery: make sure your phone is in a well-ventilated area while charging and remove thick cases if you notice a rise in temperature.
4. “Let the battery run completely dry before recharging.”
This tip worked for older nickel-cadmium batteries, but with today's lithium batteries It is no longer necessary to wait for 0% to recharge or perform 'full cycles' often.
In fact, it is recommended to keep the load between the 20% and 80% whenever possible. Experts advise frequent, partial charges, avoiding both full discharge and keeping the phone constantly at 100% for long periods.
5. “Closing apps improves speed and saves battery life.”
Many users believe that manually closing open apps will free up resources and speed up the system. However, both Android and iOS Automatically manage RAM and suspend background processesIf you close an app frequently, the system will have to reload it from scratch, which usually consume more energy and resources than leaving it in suspension.
You should only close an app if it has crashed or is draining battery power abnormally. Otherwise, let the operating system manage the processes: it's much more efficient than doing it manually.
- When to close an app? Only if it presents serious errors or excessive battery consumption (you can check it in the battery settings).
- Automatic management: Modern smartphones improve their management of background processes year after year, optimizing energy consumption and freeing up memory as needed.
6. “More signal bars mean faster internet.”
The bar icon at the top of the screen indicates the strength of the radio signal with the nearest antenna, but not necessarily internet speed. Other factors such as network congestion, cell saturation (simultaneous users connected), technology type (4G, 5G), carrier bandwidth, or even the destination server influence the actual speed you experience.
You may have full coverage but slow speeds if many users share the network or the provider has limited the speed after consuming a certain amount of data. Full bars only indicate a stable radio connection, not necessarily fast internet.
- Interference environments: Thick walls, dense buildings, or rural areas may offer full 4G/5G bars but slower speeds due to a lack of allocated spectrum or local saturation.
- Actual capacity depends on prioritization: Your carrier may limit speed or prioritize certain services based on your rate.
7. “Resetting your phone permanently deletes all data.”
Resetting the mobile to factory settings deletes the data visible from the traditional menus, but does not completely erase the information stored in the internal memoryThere are forensic tools capable of recovering supposedly deleted data, so if you're going to sell, give away, or donate your smartphone, it's advisable to perform an additional secure wipe.
Use specialized applications that overwrite memory or encrypt data before proceeding, such as Secure Delete. This prevents an advanced user from being able to Restore images, messages, passwords, or personal documents compromising your privacy.
8. “Soaking your phone in rice protects it from water damage.”
When a phone accidentally gets wet, one of the most popular home remedies is to place it in a bowl of rice. Although rice can absorb some surface moisture, does not penetrate the interior of the device and is not effective in removing water trapped in internal circuits.
In addition, there is a danger that the starch in the rice sticks to the ports and cause further damage or even corrosion. The most effective way to deal with internal moisture is to turn off the device, remove the SIM card and battery (if possible), dry it gently, and take it to a specialized service center. Some modern models are IP certified and can withstand certain conditions, but Rice is not the definitive solution.
9. “Refurbished phones are unreliable.”
Some people are wary of refurbished smartphones believing that they are less secure than new ones, but if they have been refurbished by professionals and following a strict protocol, they can be completely reliable and functional, even offering warranty of up to two years and even greater quality control.
The difference between a refurbished mobile phone and a second-hand one is in the Technical procedures for review, repair, data erasure and warranties.
10. “More megapixels guarantee better photos”
Marketing tends to promote phones with more megapixels as synonymous with better cameras, but in reality, the Image quality also depends on the lenses, the sensor, the processing software and artificial intelligence.A phone with fewer megapixels can take better photos if it has quality optics and good post-processing, especially in low-light or high-contrast situations.
So, before choosing a phone based solely on its camera specifications, check out real-life examples taken with that model and the quality of its components.
11. “Constantly using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth drains the battery quickly.”
Having Wi-Fi enabled by default is usually more energy efficient than using mobile dataModern Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies have improved their power consumption, and while there may be a minimal drain, the difference is negligible when not actively in use.
In fact, keeping Wi-Fi active helps reduce constant searches for mobile antennas and, therefore, reduces battery consumptionIn the case of Bluetooth, new versions have optimized their impact to minimize energy consumption.
12. “The phone may explode if it overheats or while charging.”
Currently, smartphones include overheating protection systems and automatically control charging to prevent accidents. Although incidents due to defective battery batches occurred in the past, these are very rare today if original or certified chargers are used.
Avoid charging your mobile phone in places with extreme temperatures or under textiles and always use approved cables and chargers by the manufacturer, as well as paying attention to signs of swelling or abnormal overheating of the battery.
13. “Cell phones attract lightning during a storm.”
There is a belief that carrying a cell phone during a storm increases the risk of being struck by lightning. Cell phones alone they do not attract lightning significantly. The real risk lies in being in open spaces or near tall objects, not in using the mobile device.
14. “If you don’t activate airplane mode on a flight, you can cause accidents.”
Airplane mode exists for avoid radio frequency interference with communication systems from the plane. However, mobile phone emissions are not powerful enough to cause accidents. It is recommended to activate airplane mode primarily for prevention and due to airline regulations.
Additionally, activating airplane mode helps save battery life during the flight, as your phone will no longer have to constantly search for a signal.
15. “Mobile phones cannot be infected with SMS.”
It is not possible to infect a mobile phone just by receiving a text message; however, these messages can be used to send phishing links or malware downloads If the user accesses them, you should be extremely cautious with the links you receive and avoid installing applications outside of official stores.
16. “System updates make your phone slower.”
Some people avoid updating their operating system or apps for fear of slowing down their device. In reality, Updates bring security and performance improvementsThe myth of slowness often stems from very old or overloaded models, but you should always prioritize safety over small differences in speed.
An unpatched mobile phone can be vulnerable to very serious vulnerabilities. It's best to update whenever compatible versions are available for your device.
Myths about smartphones and their use are widespread., but most lack a scientific basis or have become obsolete in the face of technological advances. Staying informed and applying common sense when using your phone is the best way to get the most out of it, extend its lifespan, and protect your privacy and security, both physical and digital. If you have any further questions or know of any myths not addressed here, leave them in the comments so other users can benefit and continue debunking misconceptions together.
