Battery Degradation: Causes, Effects, and Maintenance

Control battery degradation to expand the lifespan of tech devices.

What is Battery Degradation?

Battery degradation means the gradual decline in the ability of a battery to store and deliver energy. This is unavoidable aspect of lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries powers almost every portable device.

In today’s increasingly tech and digital world, Smartphones, Laptops, Tablets, Wearables and all portable devices became a part of human body. Without them we cannot survive now. Lithium-ion batteries, which power these gadgets, have revolutionized the way we work, entertain, and stay connected. Over the time, these lithium-ion batteries degrade,

In an increasingly digital world, our reliance on smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other portable electronic devices has become almost second nature. These devices are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which have revolutionized the way we stay connected, work, and entertain ourselves. However, there’s a catch. These batteries degrade over time, resulting in a decrease in performance and reduction in battery life day by day.

In this article we will learn about the complexity, causes and effects of battery degradation which leads to device failure. We will also learn about how to prevent this, and tips to maintain battery capacity and health for a long time.

Why battery degradation happens and what are the reasons behind it?

Lithium-ion batteries continuously degrades from the moment you first used it. This is caused by the battery’s underneath chemistry, resulting in inevitable chemical reactions occurring inside the battery throughout runtime.

Reasons of Battery Degradation

Charge Cycles:

One of the main reasons of Battery Degradation is number of charge cycles a Lithium-ion Battery undergoes. A charge cycle means the process of battery charging from 0% to 100%. Lithium-ion batteries have limited charge cycles, typically from 300 to 1000 or more, depending on battery quality.

Extreme Temperature:

Lithium-ion batteries are temperature-sensitive. Exposure to extreme hot or cold temperatures, which leads to significant battery degradation. High temperatures cause the heavy battery and cold temperatures can temporarily reduce battery performance.

Bad Charging Habits:

Allowing your battery to drain to 0% or charging it to 100% regularly will harm your battery and damage its health. This causes faster battery degradation. Always keep in mind that you should keep your battery level between 20% and 80% for longevity. Do not overcharge and do not drain your battery below 20%.

It is advised to always use high-quality chargers and cables for charging. The use of low-quality chargers, cables, and adaptors will damage battery health.

Overcharging the battery or device causes failure of the voltage regulator and gassing, which will destroy the battery (leaving your device plugged in to the power supply when it is already fully charged). Avoid fast charging whenever possible. Fast charging reduces battery life significantly.

Effects of Battery Degradation

Reduced Capacity or capacity fade:

As a lithium-ion battery degrades, its capacity to hold a charge reduces. This means your device’s battery won’t provide the same battery life as it did when it was new.

This is most noticeable effect of battery degradation.

Shortened Battery Life:

Degradation has an impact on overall battery life of a device. While the battery remains able to power and run your device, it will do so inefficiently, and you will need to recharge it more frequently. This happens with all lithium-ion batteries.

Performance Issues due to Battery Degradation

Severe battery degeneration may lead to performance issues in some cases. Your device might unexpectedly shut down, slow down, or fail to run properly.

Tips for managing Battery Health to slowdown Battery Degradation

Good Charging Habits:

Always use high-quality chargers, adaptors, and cables trusted brands. Avoid overcharging and fast charging whenever possible. Charge your device when it reaches 20% battery level and remove charger when it hits around 80%. Use good wireless chargers if your device supports wireless charging.

Temperature Management:

Always keep your device within the temperature range recommended by device manufacture. Avoid direct sunlight for long time, leaving it in hot cars, extreme cold for long period, and other high temperature places or things.

Reduce Screen Brightness and Timeout:

Use low brightness level whenever possible and set a shorter screen timeout setting to minimize the battery drain. Extreme high brightness level also heats your device and battery, and also drains battery significantly.

Close unused apps:

Quit or force-stop apps running in the background to reduce unnecessary battery usage. Always monitor apps to detect power hungry apps. Uninstall unnecessary apps.

Software and Apps Updates:

Always keep your device’s operating system and apps up to date, as manufacturers often release updates that optimize power efficiency and device security and stability.

Battery health monitoring tools:

Most Android phones and laptops have built-in battery health monitoring tools that provide in-depth data and insights into your device’s battery condition. These tools will help you to track battery health and conditions.

Some Battery Saving Tips:

Uninstall unnecessary apps
Lower screen brightness and screen timeout.
Disconnect data connections whenever you don’t need.
Close or force-stop unnecessary background running apps.
Avoid gaming when battery level is low.
Use Wi-Fi whenever possible.
Use battery saving modes when device battery is low.
Avoid haptic or vibration feedback.
Monitor apps to detect stability issues,
Always install apps and system updates.
Use trusted chargers and cables.
Follow device manufacturer’s device safety recommendations.

Some Best battery monitoring apps

Conclusion

Battery degradation is unavoidable aspect of lithium-ion based portable electronic devices. However, by knowing its causes and effects and following best practices for battery maintenance, you can slow the process of degradation and extend the battery life. With proper care and good charging habits your devices will lasts longer.

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