Latest news with #batteryhealth
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Can I leave an electric car unattended for a long time?
Dear Alex, I live in the UK, but I am away for up to six months. I am considering buying a small electric vehicle as a runaround. How long will a fully charged electric car hold its charge? What happens if the battery is left to go flat? Is this bad for the battery, and will I lose all the computer information etc? How should I get it ready for use after such a long absence? Finally, is it safe to leave a car on charge for up to half a year? – PN Dear PN, There are no hard and fast figures on how quickly an EV battery will lose its charge, but most of the experts I've spoken to reckon a battery will lose one or two per cent of its charge each month. If you're going to take an EV off the road for a longer period, it's generally agreed that it's best to charge it to 80 per cent, which is better for long-term battery health than a full charge. By doing so, even at a rate of two per cent loss each year, it would still take just over three years to flatten the battery completely. Even then, the battery wouldn't be entirely dead, because even when an EV reads zero, there's still a little bit of charge left – manufacturers tend to leave a small margin because flattening a battery completely is not good for its long-term health. So if you leave the car with 80 per cent charge for a few months, you should still have a healthy amount remaining when you return. I wouldn't recommend leaving it on charge on a three-pin socket all that time, however, three-pin sockets aren't designed for continuous high power use, so while charging that way is fine on occasion, I wouldn't leave a car plugged in for that length of time. In terms of getting the car ready for use, disconnecting the 12V battery (which powers the ancillaries) before you leave is a good idea, as parasitic drain will almost certainly flatten it while you're away. You may lose some of the settings on the car's computers, but otherwise you shouldn't see any ill effects. If you don't fancy that, you could instead use a trickle charger to keep the battery topped up. Also, increase the tyre pressure – to 50psi, say – to avoid flat-spotting, but remember to return the pressures to normal before you drive.
Geeky Gadgets
5 days ago
- Health
- Geeky Gadgets
iPhone Charging Myths DEBUNKED: Are You Making These Mistakes?
How you charge your iPhone plays a critical role in determining its performance and lifespan. Improper charging habits can gradually degrade the battery, leading to reduced efficiency and usability over time. By understanding and implementing best practices, you can optimize your iPhone's battery health and ensure it continues to perform reliably for years to come. The video below from iReviews gives us more details. Best Practices for Charging Your iPhone To maintain your iPhone's battery health, it is essential to adopt proper charging habits. Apple's lithium-ion batteries are designed to function optimally when charged within a specific range. Following these guidelines can help you preserve battery performance: Charge between 20% and 80%: Avoid letting the battery drain completely or charging it to 100% unnecessarily. Keeping the charge within this range minimizes stress on the battery. Avoid letting the battery drain completely or charging it to 100% unnecessarily. Keeping the charge within this range minimizes stress on the battery. Partial charging is beneficial: Unlike older battery technologies, lithium-ion batteries thrive on partial charges, which can extend their lifespan. Unlike older battery technologies, lithium-ion batteries thrive on partial charges, which can extend their lifespan. Use Apple-certified accessories: Chargers and cables certified by Apple ensure compatibility and reduce the risk of damage caused by substandard products. By integrating these practices into your daily routine, you can reduce battery wear and maintain your device's efficiency over time. Preserving Battery Health While all batteries experience natural degradation, you can slow this process with mindful habits. One of the most effective tools for preserving battery health is the Optimized Battery Charging feature. This feature learns your daily charging patterns and reduces the time your battery spends fully charged, thereby minimizing chemical aging. Temperature management is another critical factor. Extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, can negatively impact battery performance and longevity. To protect your device, avoid exposing it to direct sunlight, freezing conditions, or other environmental extremes. Keeping your iPhone within its recommended temperature range is key to maintaining its health. Common Charging Mistakes to Avoid Many users unknowingly engage in charging practices that can harm their iPhone's battery. Avoiding these common mistakes can significantly extend your battery's lifespan: Overnight charging: Leaving your iPhone plugged in overnight can expose the battery to prolonged high charge levels, accelerating wear and tear. Leaving your iPhone plugged in overnight can expose the battery to prolonged high charge levels, accelerating wear and tear. Excessive use of fast chargers: While fast chargers are convenient, they generate heat, which can damage the battery if used excessively. While fast chargers are convenient, they generate heat, which can damage the battery if used excessively. Using uncertified chargers: Third-party chargers without proper safety certifications can cause overheating, short circuits, or even permanent damage to your device. By steering clear of these pitfalls, you can protect your battery and ensure your iPhone remains reliable. Optimal Charging Habits for Longevity To maximize your iPhone's lifespan, it's important to establish a balanced charging routine. Here are some effective strategies: Charge in intervals: Instead of waiting for the battery to deplete completely, charge your iPhone in short intervals throughout the day. This reduces stress on the battery. Instead of waiting for the battery to deplete completely, charge your iPhone in short intervals throughout the day. This reduces stress on the battery. Store with care: If you plan to store your iPhone for an extended period, charge it to around 50% before turning it off. This prevents deep discharge, which can render the battery unusable. These habits not only preserve battery health but also ensure your device remains dependable over time. Insights into iPhone Battery Care Apple's charging technology is designed to protect your battery, but understanding how it works can help you further enhance its longevity. The iPhone's built-in power management system regulates charging to prevent overheating and overcharging, making sure the battery operates within safe parameters. To complement this system, avoid performing intensive tasks—such as gaming or video streaming—while your device is charging. These activities generate heat, which can strain the battery and reduce its efficiency. By being mindful of how you use your iPhone during charging, you can support its built-in safeguards and maintain optimal performance. Power Optimization Tips Beyond charging habits, optimizing your iPhone's power usage can reduce battery strain and improve overall efficiency. Consider these practical tips: Enable Low Power Mode: This feature conserves energy by reducing background activity and limiting performance when your battery is running low. This feature conserves energy by reducing background activity and limiting performance when your battery is running low. Adjust settings: Lowering screen brightness and disabling background app refresh can significantly reduce power consumption. Lowering screen brightness and disabling background app refresh can significantly reduce power consumption. Keep software updated: Regular updates from Apple often include improvements to power management, helping your device run more efficiently. Incorporating these adjustments into your daily routine can help you get more out of each charge and reduce overall battery wear. Device Longevity Strategies Extending your iPhone's lifespan requires more than just proper charging practices. Adopting good maintenance and usage habits can also make a significant difference. Here are some strategies to consider: Protect against environmental stressors: Avoid exposing your device to direct sunlight, high humidity, or other harsh conditions that can damage internal components. Avoid exposing your device to direct sunlight, high humidity, or other harsh conditions that can damage internal components. Clean the charging port: Regularly inspect and clean the charging port to ensure a secure connection and prevent debris buildup. Regularly inspect and clean the charging port to ensure a secure connection and prevent debris buildup. Handle with care: Protect your iPhone from physical damage by using a durable case and avoiding drops or impacts. By combining these strategies with optimal charging habits, you can enhance your iPhone's longevity and maintain its performance for years to come. Enhance your knowledge on iPhone charging best practices by exploring a selection of articles and guides on the subject. Source & Image Credit: iReviews Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy
Geeky Gadgets
24-05-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
The Definitive Guide to 100% iPhone Battery Health
Preserving your iPhone's battery health is essential for ensuring its long-term performance and reliability. Lithium-ion batteries, while efficient and widely used, naturally degrade over time due to chemical and physical wear. By understanding how these batteries function and implementing proven care practices, you can significantly slow this degradation and keep your device operating at its best. The video below from Brandon Butch gives us more details. Watch this video on YouTube. How iPhone Batteries Work iPhones use lithium-ion battery technology, which operates by moving lithium ions between the anode and cathode during charging and discharging. This design offers several advantages, including high energy density, faster charging, and better overall efficiency compared to older battery types. However, each charge and discharge cycle contributes to gradual wear, reducing the battery's capacity over time. Apple designs its batteries to retain up to 80% of their original capacity after 500 to 1,000 charge cycles, depending on the model. Understanding this process is key to maintaining battery health. What Are Battery Cycles? A battery cycle is completed when 100% of the battery's capacity is used, though this doesn't have to happen in a single charge. For example, using 50% of your battery one day, recharging it, and then using another 50% the next day equals one cycle. Over time, these cycles accumulate, and the battery's ability to hold a charge diminishes. While this process is inevitable, proper care can significantly slow it down, helping you get the most out of your device. Key Factors That Degrade Battery Health Several factors contribute to battery wear, with heat being the most damaging. High temperatures, whether caused by charging, gaming, or environmental exposure, accelerate chemical degradation. Other factors include: Allowing the battery to drop below 20% frequently increases stress on the battery cells. Keeping the battery at 100% for extended periods can lead to chemical instability. Prolonged charging generates heat despite modern safeguards. Fast charging and wireless charging are often misunderstood. While these methods can produce heat, Apple's optimized charging technologies and MagSafe systems are designed to minimize thermal impact, making them safe for regular use. However, it's still important to monitor your charging habits to avoid unnecessary strain on the battery. Best Practices for Maintaining Battery Health To maximize your iPhone's battery lifespan, follow these expert-recommended tips: Maintain a charge range of 20% to 80%: Keeping your battery within this range reduces chemical stress and slows degradation. Keeping your battery within this range reduces chemical stress and slows degradation. Enable 'Optimized Battery Charging': This iOS feature delays charging beyond 80% until just before you need your device, reducing prolonged exposure to high charge levels. This iOS feature delays charging beyond 80% until just before you need your device, reducing prolonged exposure to high charge levels. Avoid using your phone during charging: Performing resource-intensive tasks like gaming or video streaming while charging generates additional heat, which can harm the battery. Performing resource-intensive tasks like gaming or video streaming while charging generates additional heat, which can harm the battery. Minimize exposure to high temperatures: Keep your phone out of direct sunlight and avoid leaving it in hot environments, such as inside a car on a sunny day. Keep your phone out of direct sunlight and avoid leaving it in hot environments, such as inside a car on a sunny day. Use certified charging accessories: Only use chargers and cables that meet Apple's standards to ensure proper power regulation and safety. Adopting these habits can help you maintain your iPhone's battery health and ensure consistent performance over time. Debunking Common Myths There are several misconceptions about iPhone battery care. Understanding the facts can help you make informed decisions: Myth: iOS updates harm battery health. Reality: iOS updates often include recalibration tools to improve the accuracy of the battery percentage display, enhancing overall performance. iOS updates harm battery health. iOS updates often include recalibration tools to improve the accuracy of the battery percentage display, enhancing overall performance. Myth: Slow charging is better than fast charging. Reality: Modern iPhones are optimized for fast charging, which prevents excessive heat and is just as safe as slow charging. Slow charging is better than fast charging. Modern iPhones are optimized for fast charging, which prevents excessive heat and is just as safe as slow charging. Myth: Wireless charging damages Wireless charging has advanced significantly, with newer devices and chargers designed to minimize heat-related risks, making it a safe and convenient option. By separating fact from fiction, you can focus on practices that genuinely benefit your iPhone's battery health. Practical Steps for Long-Term Battery Health Maintaining your iPhone's battery health requires consistent care and attention to detail. By keeping your battery within the recommended charge range, allowing optimized charging, and avoiding exposure to heat, you can significantly extend its lifespan. Additionally, using certified accessories and staying informed about battery care best practices ensures your device remains reliable and efficient for years to come. With these strategies, you can enjoy optimal performance and avoid the inconvenience of premature battery replacement. Here are additional guides from our expansive article library that you may find useful on iPhone battery health. Source & Image Credit: Brandon Butch Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Guides, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Android Authority
13-05-2025
- Android Authority
The Nintendo Switch 2 will learn this battery trick from your Android phone
TL;DR The Nintendo Switch 2 will include a feature to cap battery charge at 90%. A similar feature debuted on Pixel phones in 2020, and is included in Android 15. Turning the feature on in settings could extend Switch 2 battery health by years. The Nintendo Switch 2 is less than a month away from launching, but Nintendo is still announcing new features. The latest announcement comes via the Nintendo Today! app, and it's one of the most valuable features implemented on Android in the past few years. It's essentially a toggle in the Settings app that caps the maximum charge of your Switch 2 to 90%. This might sound counterintuitive, since you're sacrificing game time while away from a charger, but it's the best way to keep your battery healthy for years. Capping your maximum charge can delay phone battery replacement for a year or more, so expect similar results on the Switch 2. A similar feature that slows charging after 80% was added to Pixel phones in December 2020 as part of the Adaptive Battery toolset. Last year, it was expanded to allow a manual 80% cap, matching a feature implemented on iOS with the launch of the iPhone 15. Capping max charge can extend Switch 2 battery health by years. Check out our battery optimization guide for more details, but the short version is that most people should turn this feature on. For devices like the Switch 2 that will sit in a dock plugged in for days at a time, it's even more imperative. To find the feature on the Switch 2, open the Settings app and look for a toggle that says 'Stop Charging Around 90%.' Hopefully the feature will find its way to the original Switch, too, although it's likely years too late to make a difference for most gamers. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
The Verge
12-05-2025
- The Verge
The Switch 2 has a handy battery preservation mode
Nintendo will give Switch 2 owners the option to sacrifice a little per-session playtime in the interest of battery health longevity. The company announced, via its Nintendo Today news app, that the console will have a setting to slow the console's charge as it approaches 90 percent capacity, then maintain it around that amount. Such a feature has made it to smartphones in the past, and is even something Valve is testing for the Steam Deck. The reason for such a feature is that rechargeable lithium batteries like those found in so many gadgets can have their lives shortened if they're kept in a charge state outside of a sweet spot — either too much charge or too little — for extended periods of time. When you get your Switch 2 — assuming you were lucky enough to snag a preorder — after it launches on June 5th, it looks like you can access the new charging option by navigating to System Settings > System and scrolling to 'Stop Charging Around 90%.' Tap the toggle to turn it on, and you're set! Nintendo included a simple video of the feature, which it doesn't appear to have posted to the wider internet. Not to worry; I grabbed a screen recording, presented here as a GIF, to show you what the feature will look like. Interestingly, the video reveals a little tidbit: The Switch 2 will let you set a PIN to unlock the screen. It looks like a much nicer way to handle a PIN than the original Switch's implementation, which requires you to set up parental controls and use a separate smartphone app.
