Experts from leading U.S. institutions have cautioned smartphone users against charging their devices to 100% on a daily basis, warning that this practice can gradually shorten battery life.

Dr Chao-Yang Wang, Director of the Electrochemical Engine Center at Penn State University, stated that fully charging a battery every day leads to faster degradation.

“Charging your phone up to 100 percent consistently can reduce the battery’s lifespan by 10 to 15 percent compared to stopping at 90 percent,” he explained.

Echoing this concern, Debaprakash Dutta, an Associate Professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, noted that keeping a phone at full charge keeps the battery under high voltage stress.

“High voltage over prolonged periods is harmful to lithium-ion batteries,” he said.

While the idea of a fully charged phone might appeal to users, the experts emphasize that this habit comes at a cost. According to Wang, charging to 100% is not entirely forbidden, especially in situations such as travel when extra battery life is needed. However, he advised that for everyday use, charging the battery only up to 85–90% is optimal.

The temperature factor also plays a role in battery degradation. Wang pointed out that high temperatures during charging — especially with fast-charging technology — can accelerate the deterioration of battery cells over time. Fast charging generates heat, and if the battery is also pushed to 100% in hot environments, the impact can be even more severe.

Dutta further advised users to avoid letting their battery level drop to 0%. “Instead of waiting for your phone to completely die, plug it in when the battery reaches around 20%,” he recommended.

Interestingly, many users tend to upgrade their smartphones not due to battery problems but because of issues like cracked screens or outdated camera quality. Nevertheless, following smart charging habits could help extend battery life and reduce the need for premature upgrades.

In essence, experts recommend a moderate approach to phone charging: avoid both 100% and 0% extremes, charge in cool environments, and use fast charging sparingly — a formula that can prolong the life and performance of your mobile device.

Source: 24 News HD.