This is what happens to your phone battery in Extreme Temperatures

For a cellphone, one of the most stable technology is the battery. Lithium ion batteries were developed more than 20 years ago, and yet, until now developments are still being discovered which are meant to extend the battery life, and improvement of safety. However, a lot of people still do not know what happens to a battery during extreme temperature conditions.

Below -40 degrees Celsius

Lithium ion batteries will cease to function at this temperature range. Although equipment powered by lithium ion batteries can operate at very cold temperatures, it is highly recommended that equipment not be used. Using the cellphone at these temperatures can cause damage to the battery.

Between -20 and -40 degrees Celsius

Batteries are still usable, but they would start to self-discharge. Charging is dissuaded at temperatures below freezing.

Between 0 degrees and 45 degrees Celsius

This is the operating range of the cellphone battery. You can use the phone, and charge without any problems. The optimal temperature range is between 10 degrees and 30 degrees Celsius. This temperature range provides the best performance for the battery.

Between 45 degrees and 60 degrees Celsius

You can still use your cellphone, however charging is not recommended. This will damage the cellphone battery.

Above 60 degrees Celsius

At these temperatures the cellphone battery will begin to discharge on its own. There are few unique instances where 60 degrees Celsius naturally occurs on earth.

Batteries are temperature sensitive. The old concept of warming batteries before using them holds true for the most part. The more important part is that the battery should be dry when used. Rubbing them between your palms can increase their internal temperature, and help it start working when in icy cold weather.

Lithium ion batteries self-discharge without any prompting. They typically discharge between 1.5% to 2% a month. If you want to make sure that your batteries continue to be charged for a long time even if they are not charged is to keep the battery charged between 40 to 80 percent before storing them. For another, you should also try to have the battery charged every three months.

Unlike Nickel-based batteries, it is important that lithium ion batteries should never be fully discharged. This can destroy the battery. There have been instances when the battery can no longer recharge because it was fully drained.

During a battery’s average lifetime it is expected to go through 500 to 1500 cycles. If you want to think about it in terms of the number of times you can recharge a cellphone, you have to consider how often you recharge your phone. If you recharge your phone daily, you can expect to replace the battery at lease every 1.5 years to more than 3 years.

Keeping the battery safe is one way to save money on replacement parts. Using the above knowledge there are a certain amount of rules to remember. First, do not wait until it is fully discharged before charging it again. Keeping batteries in the refrigerator or the freezer does not have any benefits. Recharge the cellphone before you need to charge them. These simple rules will help ensure that you will use your new phone longer than you imagine.

Reference:

1. http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/feature/mobile-phone/are-smartphones-affected-by-weather-3633720/
2. http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/charging_at_high_and_low_temperatures
3. http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/a15731/best-way-to-keep-li-ion-batteries-charged/