I've heard mixed opinions about smartphone battery calibration, particularly with Android devices. We know that charging to exactly 0% or 100% is not ideal since manufacturers design them to prevent these extremes. However, I'm curious if there's any solid evidence that leaving a smartphone plugged in after it hits 100% helps with optimization or calibration. Also, if someone uses settings to limit charge to, say, 80%, does that impact the calibration process?
3 Answers
Yes, it can help to charge to 100% every now and then. In manufacturing, the voltage is set for 0% and 100%, so doing this allows the device's software to recalibrate properly. However, battery behavior isn't linear, especially as it ages, so the software's estimations may not always be spot on.
Calibration typically occurs when you discharge to near 0% and then recharge to 100%. Once the battery is full, your phone just uses the adapter to run, so there's no further benefit. If you frequently limit your charge to 80%, it might not show an accurate percentage until you fully cycle it a couple times afterward.
I had no idea! It makes sense to not rely on that low number if calibration is disrupted.
Battery calibration isn't exactly about adjusting the battery itself; it's more about the device understanding the battery's performance. Older battery tech benefitted more from calibration because their voltage curves were more linear. Nowadays, devices typically measure current flow instead, which can also drift over time. So charging fully to 100% helps reset those measurements but doesn't do much for the battery itself.
Thanks for clarifying! It's interesting how these newer technologies operate differently.
Thanks for breaking that down! It really illustrates how complex battery management can get.