The release of iPhone 15, the series that came to market with iOS 17, brought with it an interesting feature related to mobile phone battery life. Apple’s all-new operating system allows you to set charging to inflexibly stop when it reaches 80% instead of ramping up to 100%.
The Cupertino manufacturer did not specify why it launched the feature called “limit 80%”, right at this moment. A possible explanation is battery degradation in the iPhone 14, which many users have complained about. In any case, it should be noted that this is not a problem exclusive to Apple, but rather a type of component that most mobile devices use for power, including the Android division.
Why does a mobile phone’s battery life benefit from not reaching its limit? There is a simple explanation: lithium-ion options degrade slowly and gradually each time. charging cycle. Therefore, limiting the process to 80% slows down aging. Of course: we will point out later that it is not always convenient to activate this function.
Mobile phone battery life and 80% charge: technical approach
Andres Burshtyn, director of information systems development and associate dean of the National Technological University of Buenos Aires (UTN.BA) in Argentina, points out which smartphone components and functions cause the most battery degradation. Highlighted on the list is the screen, which varies depending on its brightness, refresh rate and runtime, as well as, to a lesser extent, features such as NFC, Bluetooth and GPS. Regarding the load limit, the specialist also points out the load cycles and considers a number of technical aspects.
Why not reach 100% to extend the life of your mobile phone battery? What is the explanation for this?
Depending on the technology, brand and model of the battery, this will affect the life of the component. Here it is necessary to take into account issues related mainly to the temperature of materials undergoing physical transformation of their elements. In addition, wear depends on the amount of load and unloading to which they are subjected.
There is another common advice: do not let the battery charge drop below 20%. What happens in this case?
At this point, it is important to note that current battery technology does not pose this problem. The fact that it falls below 20% is due to certain user habits. If this happens sporadically, then they do not pose any real problems. On the other hand, it is inconvenient if this happens daily.
In addition to these aspects, what good habits can help you avoid draining your mobile phone battery?
As a general suggestion it is recommended maintain from 20% to 80%, but with as little load as possible. On the other hand, the device should not be exposed to high temperatures. Neither at very low levels, nor with sudden changes. Finally, it is important to pay attention to the quality of cables and chargers, as they can create certain problems that affect the life of the battery.
Temperature is a key factor in battery degradation
It should be noted that what was once a myth about mobile battery life is no longer a myth. The convenience of setting a limit is confirmed by user habits, expert advice and features, such as those added in iOS 17. Otherwise, it is important to remember that Fast charging methods do not contribute to degradation. On the other hand, following Burshtyn, it is necessary to take into account the thermal variable. That is, the damage comes from the heat, not from the power itself.
It is also interesting to note that some manufacturers have begun to improve components to prevent battery degradation. For example, by managing the power on the charger rather than on the phone.
Moreover, although they are still in the minority, it is increasingly common to see devices with cooling systems that prevent overheating. They are essential in video game-oriented smartphones and are also included in high-end hardware. Some of the methods of dissipating high temperatures are heat pipes, and there are also advanced systems like air cooling – yes, with small fans in the devices – liquid cooling or vapor chambers, which includes the Asus Rog Phone, for example.
Battery at 80%: When should you use this feature?
It has already been said: stopping the load before reaching the maximum level is a habit that Helps extend battery life. In this sense, limiting and not achieving 100% will increase the resale value of the equipment. Of course: it is not advisable to interrupt. Often the process is at an intermediate level – for example at the 40% level – because this means more loads over time.
A feature like the one recently included in iOS 17 automates this recommended practice: it frees the user from having to pay attention to the battery level, which changes the color on the screen and increases the amount of charge. It’s also a good idea to make this feature optional on phones, since 80% battery isn’t always enough. For example, on a trip where access to energy sources will be limited. Or, for example, if the cell phone will be used for a long photo shoot. Intensive use requires different behavior regarding battery life.
In short, it is important to combat battery degradation and increase its lifespan. But this should not come at the expense of what experience demands. Now we believe that It would be nice to reverse the logic that Apple offers.. That is, limited charge comes by default. And let users decide for themselves in specific cases when to achieve 100%. Ultimately, the general rule is to be careful with your components. On the other hand, the most common thing is the ability to recharge, and situations in which a charge to the maximum level will be required will be exceptional.
It should be noted that the 80% Limit feature is not the same as the 80% Limit feature.optimized loading“, which stops the process when it reaches 80%, but resumes later, depending on the daily charging of each device, until 100% is reached.
Limited Battery: What’s Happening on Android?
The load limit function is designed to extend battery life. However, this level is not determined by the operating system, but by the phone manufacturer, who also selects the component supplier. Explanation Camila Dominguez, Android Strategic Alliances Manager. “Each of the brands that use our OS can determine which thresholds are best for ensuring the best longevity of your phone’s battery,” he notes in a conversation with Hypertext.
In addition to this clarification, is there an option in Android to stop charging at a certain level?
Available on Pixel 3 and later devices, this feature can limit charging to 80% and automatically activates when the phone meets two conditions. On the one hand, it maintained a continuous charge for many hours at high temperatures. On the other hand, it maintained a continuous charge for many days.
It is activated to protect the condition of the battery and extend its life after passing the conditions mentioned above. Once the device returns to its original state, the battery will begin charging to 100%.
There are many myths about cell phone battery life. In short, what should you do and what shouldn’t you do?
On Android, there are various alternatives to get the most out of your battery life. For example, the screen can be set to turn off quickly when it is no longer in use. Also reduce the screen brightness and/or set it to change automatically. Other options: turn off keyboard sounds or vibration, limit apps that consume a lot of battery, activate the Adaptive Battery option, delete unused accounts, or activate Dark Theme; among other things. These features will vary depending on the version of Android available to each person.
In accordance with the comments of the aforementioned UTN.BA specialist, a representative of Google (for the unsuspecting, the Android developer company) emphasizes the importance of using the appropriate components. “We recommend using the power adapter included with your device. Also store it in cool places, avoiding situations where the phone might be overloaded, especially with a fully charged battery.”
Battery degradation: the role of planned obsolescence
Earlier in this review we brought up obvious nonsense in the mobile industry. If one open secret the convenience of not wasting battery charging cycles, why is the option not enabled by default? Also, why did iOS just release this change when the idea isn’t exactly new? Benito Muros, President of the FENISS Foundation, part of his analysis points to planned obsolescence.
“I have been saying this since 2002, when I decided to spread the word around the world about what it is, who practices it and the harm it causes to the environment and to all the inhabitants of the only planet on which we have to live,” says Muros. . publication. Regarding good mobile battery care habits, he comments that it’s just another element in devices that have “dozens of components that can be affected to shorten their lifespan.”
Muros rose to fame about a decade ago when he announced the creation of the “eternal light bulb,” which he describes as the world’s first product produced without planned obsolescence. “The goal of commercialization is to spread the word that another truly sustainable economic, social and industrial model is possible. I want other companies to join in making products that are truly durable, repairable and environmentally friendly,” he concludes.
Taking care of mobile battery life, feature like “Limit to 80%” is finally moving in this direction.
Source: Hiper Textual
I’m Ben Stock, a highly experienced and passionate journalist with a career in the news industry spanning more than 10 years. I specialize in writing content for websites, including researching and interviewing sources to produce engaging articles. My current role is as an author at Gadget Onus, where I mainly cover the mobile section.
