If you’re like most of us, always on the move — staying connected and getting things done — a dying battery can be frustrating. Whether it’s your phone, tablet, laptop, or earbuds, do you find yourself constantly reaching for a charger? Worse, does a full charge seem to last less and less over time?
It’s not just a part of using electronics — two things are happening:
- You’re using more battery power.
- Your battery is losing its capacity.
Let’s dive into why this happens and what you can do about it.
Why Your Battery Doesn’t Last Forever
Batteries, like people, age over time. Most devices use lithium-ion batteries, which lose capacity after about 500 charge cycles, dropping to 80% of their original power and declining further with use.
For example, the iPhone 12 Pro battery starts with a 2815 mAh capacity. After 500 cycles, that shrinks to about 2252 mAh. So, when your phone shows 100% charged, you’re only getting 80% of its original power — meaning if you once got 10 hours of use, you’ll now get around eight.
What’s Draining Your Battery?
Several factors contribute to battery drain. Newer apps require more power, constant updates, and background processes such as notifications, GPS, messaging and other Social Media apps can drain power without you realizing it. Screen brightness also plays a huge role—higher brightness means more power usage. Occasionally, software bugs can cause unnecessary power drain as well.
Environmental Factors That Affect Battery Life
Just like in a car, extreme temperatures affect your device’s battery. Cold weather forces the battery to work harder, while excessive heat accelerates its wear and tear—similar to food spoiling faster in hot weather. Keeping your device in a moderate temperature range is a key to prolonging battery life.
Using knock-off or cheap third-party cables and chargers can slow charging and damage your battery over time. Poor quality materials and bad voltage regulation may cause overheating or even short-circuiting, harming your device — or what it’s plugged into, like your car’s electrical system. A family member learned this lesson the hard way that saving a few bucks isn’t worth risking a $1,000 device and a $2,000 repair bill
Smart Charging Habits: The Key to Longevity
One simple way to extend battery life is to keep it charged between 20% and 80%. According to Battery University, lithium-ion batteries last longest when their charge stays within this range. Avoid regularly draining it to 0% or keeping it at 100% for extended periods.
While fast charging is convenient, slow charging is better for long-term battery health. Slow charging generates less heat, reducing stress on the battery. Many devices now have smart charging features to help with this.
Apple’s Optimized Battery Charging slows charging at 80% and finishes it just before you wake up or need to use your device. Samsung offers a Battery Protection Mode that limits charging to 85% to reduce battery wear, while Adaptive Fast Charging adjusts power delivery for efficient and safe charging. Similarly, Microsoft’s Battery Conservation Mode limits charging to 80% when plugged in for long periods. Check your device’s manual to see if it supports these features.
Remember: It’s Not Just Phones and Laptops
When we think about battery health, we often focus on smartphones and laptops. But Bluetooth headphones, earbuds, and speakers also rely on rechargeable batteries. Unfortunately, when these batteries degrade or fail, many are embedded in the device or accessory and often impossible to replace, rendering them useless. This makes it even more important to follow smart charging habits across all your devices.
Introducing Leo: The Battery Life Extender
Leo, developed by Netherlands-based Liion Power B.V., is a plug-and-play gadget that helps extend the life of lithium-ion batteries in USB-charged devices up to 100 watts. It plugs between your charger and device, analyzing the battery to set optimal charge limits, regulate speeds, and schedule breaks for better health. Need a quick boost? Switch to Ghost mode for 100% fast charging.
Recognized with the CES 2025 Innovation Award in the Sustainability & Energy/Power category, Leo is an effective solution for enhancing battery longevity while promoting eco-friendly charging practices. https://liionpower.tech/products/leo
Bottom Line: Small Changes, Big Results
We rely on our devices daily, so charging them properly is crucial. Simple habits — like keeping the charge between 20% and 80%, avoiding extreme temperatures, and using slow charging — can extend battery life and reduce frustration.
Products like Leo offer eco-friendly ways to help. With a little care, batteries can last longer and keeps them out of landfills.
According to the International Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Forum, a whopping 5.3 billion phones were discarded in 2022. Shockingly, about one-third of smartphones are replaced due to aging batteries.
Since gadgets are lifelines for many, it’s worth caring for your battery health just like your own well-being.
The syndicated edition of the article appears at Troy Media and 32 affiliated syndicated sites. A print version of the article appears in Active-Life Magazine blog and print PDF.
Greg Gazin, also known as the Gadget Guy and Gadget Greg, is a syndicated veteran tech columnist, communication, leadership and technology speaker, facilitator, blogger, podcaster and author. Reach him @gadgetgreg or at GadgetGuy.ca.
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