La battery It is one of the most sensitive and decisive components in the user experience of today's smartphones. In addition to daily battery life, vida use of the batería determines when you'll need to consider changing your phone, or at least replacing this component. Many users don't know how to properly care for this element, the signs of degradation, and how to check if it's really time to replace it. In this definitive guide, we'll tell you in depth everything you need to know about the actual battery life, measurement, and conservation of Android and iPhone phones.
What determines battery life in smartphones?
Current batteries, mainly lithium ion (Li-ion) and lithium polymer batteries are designed to withstand a certain number of charge cycles before showing obvious signs of degradation. However, lifespan doesn't depend solely on the number of cycles: Charging habits, temperature, charger type, and intensive use are key factors.
The batteries They never reach 100% discharge, even if the system displays 0%, since the circuits require a minimum amount of energy to operate and protect themselves from damage. This is essential for understanding cycles and expected maximum lifespan.
Charging cycles: the key to understanding degradation
Un charging cycle corresponds to the cumulative usage equivalent to a full charge (from 100% to 0%, or partial charges that complete that 100%). For example, if you charge your phone twice from 50%, it only counts as one cycle. Similarly, four recharges from 75% to 100% approximate a full cycle.
Most modern batteries are designed to withstand between 300 and 500 complete cycles without losing more than 20% of its original capacity. From here, you'll notice that the battery life decreases significantly and the first signs of fatigue appear: unexpected blackouts, faster discharges, and the need for frequent recharging. Some regulations and manufacturers aim to exceed the 800 or even 1.000 cycles without serious degradation, but in practice it will all depend on your use.
How long does the battery of a new cell phone last?
There is no exact figure, but studies and user experience indicate that the average lifespan of a mobile phone battery It is usually between 2 and 3 years, or the equivalent of about 500 full charge cyclesIf you charge your phone daily, the degradation will begin to show sooner; charging every two days can extend the battery life beyond 900 days. However, intensive use, heat, or the use of inappropriate chargers can quickly shorten this period.
Batteries that drain quickly, phones that shut down at 20-30%, or the inability to go a day without charging are clear signs that the battery is reaching the end of its useful life. In some phones, The maximum capacity recommended by the manufacturer is that it does not fall below 80%.When this occurs, daily autonomy drops significantly and replacement is recommended.
Factors that accelerate battery degradation
Many users make mistakes that accelerate battery degradation, shortening their lifespan much more than normal. Among the most harmful habits are:
- Discharge the battery completely down to 0% frequently. While it's safe to recalibrate the system from time to time, doing so often damages the battery.
- Always charge up to 100% and keep your phone connected for hours (especially at night), keeping the battery at its maximum without real need.
- Using unofficial or low-quality chargers and cables, which can supply inappropriate voltages and cause overheating.
- Exposing the device to extreme temperatures, especially in hot weather (for example, leaving your phone in the sun, in the car, or using it intensively while charging).
- Playing games or using demanding apps while your phone is charging, which generates additional heat and accelerates battery fatigue.
- Perform very short and intermittent loads during the day, which in the long run also wears down the cells.
According to manufacturers and experts, the range optimum temperature to operate and charge a smartphone is between 16 and 25°C. Overheating, even during fast or wireless charging, accelerates the chemical degradation of cells.
When and how to charge your phone to maximize battery life?
Most experts and current studies agree: The ideal is to keep the charge between 20% and 80%..
- Don't let your battery drop below 20% on a recurring basis, and don't keep it near 100% for too long.
- If possible, unplug the device when it reaches 80-90% and recharge before it drops below 20-30%.
- If you have to charge your phone at night, activate the optimized charging option (on iOS or compatible Androids), which stops charging before 100% and ends it just before disconnecting the phone in the morning.
- Avoid charging your phone in very hot places, near sunny windows, inside the car in summer, or on surfaces that accumulate heat.
- Always use original or certified chargers and quality cables (power and stability are crucial for safe and efficient charging).
How to check the battery status on your phone
It is not always easy to know how much battery your mobile phone has left, but there are methods, hidden menus and apps that can help you:
Check battery status on Android
- Hidden Diagnostic MenuOn some Android phones, enter *#*#4636#*#* in the calling app. If your phone is compatible, a menu of information will appear, including the battery health (Healthy, Good, Weak, etc.). Note: This method doesn't work on all makes/models.
- Manufacturer's own settingsBrands like Xiaomi (with HyperOS) or Samsung (with Samsung Members) include menus with detailed battery details. On Samsung, open the app and search for "Battery Health" or "Diagnostics."
- Third-party applicationsApps like AccuBattery, Ampere, CPU-Z, DevCheck, AIDA64, or Electron allow you to monitor battery status, real capacity, temperature, charge cycles, and estimate overall health. They're especially useful if the hidden menu isn't available. To get accurate data, you'll need to perform several full charge and discharge cycles.
Check the battery status on iPhone
- Accede to Settings > Battery > Battery health.
- You will find the maximum capacity (percentage of original capacity). If it's above 80%, the battery is considered to be in good condition. If it's below XNUMX%, you'll notice reduced battery life and poor peak performance.
- A section on is also shown Peak performance, which indicates whether the system is limiting performance to prevent unexpected outages.
Additionally, apps like Battery Life, Device Info Toolkit, or GSam Battery Monitor allow for even more detailed analysis of your iOS battery status.
Recommended apps to monitor and improve battery health
- AccuBattery (Android): Analyzes health, cycles, estimated capacity, and temperature. Alerts you when to unplug your phone. Very accurate after several days of use.
- Ampere (Android): Checks charging voltage and current, helps you identify worn-out cells and faulty chargers.
- CPU-Z / AIDA64 / DevCheck (Android): Displays advanced technical information about the overall status of the hardware, including the battery.
- Samsung Members (Samsung Android): Official diagnostics for Galaxy phones.
- Battery Life (iOS): Details the maximum capacity, cycles, and performance of the battery.
- Device Info Toolkit (iOS): Provides information on status, temperature, charge, and original/current capacity.
- GSam Battery Monitor (iOS and Android): Monitor app usage, charging history, and detailed statistics.
When should the battery be changed?
The real need for battery replacement appears when:
- La maximum capacity falls below 80% of the original, significantly reducing daily autonomy.
- you experiment unexpected blackouts even if it indicated sufficient charge (for example, 20-30%).
- You notice frequent overheating and very fast downloads, even without apps in heavy use.
- The phone displays warning messages about battery status or automatically limits performance to prevent damage.
In most cases, battery replacement must be done in a Official technical service (recommended for safety, warranty, and quality reasons). If your phone allows for easy battery replacement, you can purchase original ones and do the process yourself, although this option is increasingly limited in current models.
Practical tips to maximize battery life
- Avoid extreme temperatures: Never expose your phone to direct sunlight, in a closed car, or on hot surfaces while charging.
- Use normal charging instead of fast charging except in emergencies: fast charging increases temperature and accelerates degradation.
- Do not use your phone for demanding tasks while charging.: Reduce brightness, close heavy apps, and leave the screen off whenever possible.
- Disable unnecessary radios and services (GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth) if you don't use them. They reduce consumption and the number of cycles required.
- Update the operating system: Recent patches improve power management and fix bugs that can cause power consumption to skyrocket.
- Manage storage: Keeping memory with free space (at least 25% available) helps optimize internal processes and reduces energy consumption.
- Adjusts automatic brightness and use energy saving mode.
- Avoid leaving your phone connected to 100% for many hours. regularly. Use timers, apps, or optimized charging to interrupt charging in a timely manner.
- Uninstall unnecessary apps and delete duplicate or unused files.
- Always use original accessories or certified brands. Avoid cheap, generic chargers.
Myths and truths about battery care
- There is no memory effect In today's batteries: you don't need to discharge to 0% or charge to 100% to "calibrate" often.
- It's okay to leave your phone charging all night. from time to time, especially if you have optimized charging systems. However, doing so daily can accumulate degradation.
- Close all applications It doesn't necessarily mean saving battery: some apps restart processes and consume more energy when opened again.
- It is not necessary to fully charge your phone the first time you use it., current systems recognize the actual level and automatically manage the energy.
- Cooling your mobile phone with extreme methods (such as putting it in the refrigerator) is very harmful and can damage both the battery and other internal components.
If you notice that the battery percentage "jumps" or the indicator does not match the actual autonomy, calibrate battery can help the system display more accurate data:
- Charge your phone to 100%.
- Use the phone until it turns off by itself (reaching the discharge limit).
- Let it sit off for about 4-6 hours.
- Charge it back up to 100% with the phone turned off.
This process should only be done occasionally (once every 2-3 months at most) and doesn't physically improve the battery, but rather synchronizes the system with its actual capacity. For more details on improving battery life, check out our guide.
In extreme cases, a faulty battery can swell and even release dangerous gases or liquids. If you notice the back cover of your phone bulging, the device overheating, or you notice strange odors, stop using it immediately, put it in a safe place and contact a professional. Do not attempt to open or puncture the battery, as the gases it releases can be toxic and pose a fire risk.
La European Union and other organizations are pushing for regulations to make phones last longer and be more sustainable. Among the new directives, the following are required:
- Smartphones without removable batteries can withstand at least 1.000 charge cycles without losing more than 20% of their capacity.
- Manufacturers guarantee battery availability for at least 7 years to facilitate repairs.
- Recycling and easy replacement are facilitated for non-expert users.
Some models, like the Fairphone, already include easily replaceable batteries, moving toward a circular and sustainable model that extends the lifespan of devices.
If your mobile phone works correctly and the only limitation is the autonomy, the most sensible (and ecological) thing is replace only the batteryThis way, you'll extend your phone's life, reduce waste, and save money. Self-repair programs and official technical services from brands like Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi allow you to replace the battery, ensuring maximum compatibility and safety. Only consider replacing your phone if there are other serious problems (screen, motherboard, unsupported software) or if the repair is not financially feasible.
Before you finally get rid of your old phone, remember that you can donate it, give it away or recycle it at a recycling center. Accumulating old devices contributes to the e-waste problem.
On responsible usage and charging habits These are crucial for prolonging your smartphone's battery life and reducing its environmental impact. By following these tips, monitoring its health with the best tools, and adopting more eco-friendly habits, your device will last longer and with greater safety. Remember that technology evolves, but the key lies in conscious use and preventative maintenance.
