Phone battery capacity. High capacity battery

The battery is an integral part of a mobile phone, which ensures its autonomous operation. How often you need to use the charger will depend on the correct use of the battery, as well as the capabilities of your phone.

Types of batteries

There are three main types of batteries used in mobile phones: nickel-cadmium, lithium-ion and lithium-polymer. In fact, there are more of them, but the remaining species have not become widespread, so we will leave them outside the scope of this article.

Nickel-cadmium batteries were once very popular, but today they are almost abandoned due to their harmful effects on the environment and a number of other disadvantages. Modern mobile phones do not use them, unless you find such a battery in some very old model. At one time, their widespread distribution was due to their low cost, but otherwise they had a number of negative qualities: rapid self-discharge, low capacity-to-physical size ratio, and strong heating during operation. Nickel-cadmium batteries have a so-called “memory effect”, due to which they have to be regularly charged and completely discharged several cycles in a row. This effect manifests itself when they begin to recharge a battery that has not yet been completely drained. This leaves a charge that cannot be used, and as a result, the battery life of the device is reduced. On average, nickel-cadmium batteries require more than 1000 charge-discharge cycles.

Lithium-ion batteries are the most widely used in modern mobile devices. They are more durable and less harmful to the environment than nickel-cadmium, and at the same time have a much higher energy density: despite their modest physical dimensions, they have a relatively high capacity. They do not have a “memory effect” and are characterized by a low self-discharge rate. The disadvantages of this type of battery include aging (even if they are not used for their intended purpose), so it is not recommended to buy them for future use. Better yet, pay attention to the production date when purchasing a new lithium-ion battery. This type of battery does not require any special maintenance, but if properly stored (in a charged state) and operated within the temperature range, it will last much longer. On average, lithium-ion batteries typically last from 500 to 1000 charge-discharge cycles.


Lithium polymer batteries are an improvement on lithium-ion batteries, but are cheaper. They are characterized by high energy density, slow self-discharge, and are even more environmentally friendly. Like lithium-ion batteries, they tend to age gradually. On average, lithium-polymer batteries have 500 to 600 charge-discharge cycles.

Features of battery operation

The following reasons can shorten the life of most batteries or completely render them unusable:

  • non-compliance with operating rules (hypothermia, overheating, moisture ingress);
  • physical damage to the contact group;
  • opening the battery yourself at home;
  • frequent falls and blows;
  • recharging the battery with the phone turned on;
  • replacing the battery with the phone on;
  • regular long-term recharging (more than a day when switched on);
  • long-term storage without use.

Any of the three types of batteries considered loses its capacity over time and must be replaced after 2-3 years of constant use. This is a normal process - you shouldn’t blame manufacturers for a low-quality product, which often lasts much less than the mobile phone itself. If there is a need for replacement, you should choose more expensive branded batteries rather than cheap counterfeits, since the savings in this case can be very dubious.

You should also be aware that the battery life of your device can be significantly affected by the location of the mobile operator's base stations. The further away the station, the more energy is required to receive the signal and the faster the battery will need to be recharged.

Selecting a phone depending on battery capacity

Today you can find phones on sale that are equipped with batteries with a capacity of 800 to 1500 mAh. There are phone models with battery capacities outside this range, but they are rather the exception to the rule.

When purchasing a phone and preliminary calculating its battery life, you should correctly assess the capabilities of the mobile device as a whole. The fact is that not every phone or smartphone with a battery capacity of 1300-1500 mAh will work for weeks on end, everything can be just the opposite. The manufacturer usually indicates in the device specifications not only the battery capacity, but also the battery life during continuous phone calls and in standby mode. In the first case it is usually 5-8 hours, in the second - about two weeks. But these are dry numbers for extreme cases - in fact, we understand that no one will talk for hours or just look at the phone day and night. Therefore, the actual operating time of the phone will depend on its technical characteristics and battery capacity, and not on any one factor.


Typically, the simpler the phone, the longer it can work without recharging. The main part of “long-lasting” phones are typical all-in-one devices that have a very ordinary screen up to 2 inches diagonal and do not imply the constant use of wireless communications (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS modules, etc.). The battery capacity for most of these devices is small (up to 1000 mAh), but the absence of energy-intensive functions and modules under moderate load allows you to recharge it approximately once every 5-7 days. By moderate load we mean daily calls for 30-50 minutes, 2-3 sent/received messages, 1-2 pictures taken with the camera, about half an hour of working with additional applications (browser, organizer, audio player).

Today, mobile phones and smartphones with touch screens are very popular. They are modern and convenient, but cannot work for a long time without recharging. Large touch screens (and most often they have 3-4 inches diagonally) are very energy-intensive, and the hardware platform (if we are talking about a smartphone) places a significant load. In addition, touchphones are most often used for checking email, getting directions, transferring data, viewing multimedia content - all these features additionally “eat up” a fair share of battery capacity. With rare exceptions, the operating schedule for smartphones with touch screens is as follows: work during the day, recharge in the evening.

Modern smartphones are becoming more powerful and thinner, while batteries remain virtually unchanged. In this regard, an external battery has become a very popular accessory. It helps out in those moments when there is no access to an outlet or there is no electricity. Let's try to understand how to choose a good external battery for your phone at a reasonable price.

Such accessories first appeared immediately after smartphones stopped working on a single charge for more than three days. Initially, such gadgets were intended for use in camping conditions. After all, some poetic ash or oak tree does not have an electrical outlet at its disposal. And going into nature without a mobile phone is stupid and dangerous. Now external batteries help not only on a multi-day hike or bike ride. From now on, these are universal devices that can save you at any time by recharging absolutely any gadget. But because of this, choosing a power bank has become more difficult.

Types of external batteries

First, we should talk about what kind of portable chargers exist. Long gone are the days when they all looked alike. Let's roughly highlight several varieties:

  • Pocket batteries- usually in size they are comparable to a AA battery. Such accessories are purchased as a last resort - they contain a minimum supply of energy.
  • Standard (universal) batteries- their capacity is 5000 mAh or more. They can have different shapes and sizes.
  • External batteries with solar panel- in nature, you can recharge such a device a little in some clearing, leaving it under the sun's rays.
  • Battery in the form of a toy- can be made in the shape of Mickey Mouse, nesting dolls, some kind of car or anything else. This accessory will look good somewhere on a shelf.

This is an approximate, but not definitive list. It is possible that new varieties will be invented in the future. Now let's move on to how to choose an external battery for your phone and what parameters you should focus on.

Design of an external battery for a phone

It will also be useful for you to know what exactly the external battery consists of. In the vast majority of cases, it is assembled from the following components:

  • Frame- can be made of plastic, metal or some other materials. There are no restrictions in terms of its shape. But know that under the oval case there will be many voids hidden, while the rectangular case, in theory, can be completely filled with batteries.
  • Chip- it regulates the flow of energy and performs some other actions. The microcircuit also includes a power controller, which is now present in many electronic gadgets.
  • Battery- usually its shape is similar to a traditional AA battery. Can be lithium-ion or lithium-polymer. If the capacity of the external battery is high, then two or even more batteries can be used.
  • Connectors- used to output and receive electric current.
  • Display- can be performed in one form or another. Its task is to display at least an approximate charge level. However, not every good phone battery has a screen. Whatever one may say, it also consumes energy, and its necessity is debatable. Sometimes just LEDs are enough.

That's it. Even a very good external battery for a phone consists of only these components. That is why such accessories do not cost a lot of money - there is nothing complicated in their design.

Capacity

In the list of characteristics, pay the most attention to this item. The capacity of the external battery should definitely be greater than the capacity of the battery of your smartphone or tablet.

At the same time, do not forget that an external battery cannot transfer energy if there is less energy left than in the battery of the connected gadget.

Let's imagine that your smartphone has a built-in 2000 mAh battery, and your power bank has a capacity of 3000 mAh. In this case, you can charge the phone once, after which, at best, you will be able to fill the battery with a charge of 500 mAh (that is, a quarter).

Unfortunately, many manufacturers blatantly lie about the capacity of an external battery. Therefore, try to buy a powerbank with a certain margin. For example, if you want to be able to charge a standard modern smartphone twice, then pay attention to units with a capacity of at least 7000 mAh. And remember that a large capacity is reflected in the size of the accessory. It is impossible to fit a 20,000 mAh battery in a matchbox.

The choice of capacity also depends on what devices you are going to charge. For example, 4000 mAh is enough for a push-button mobile phone. A smartphone requires a larger parameter. This can be said about . To recharge the tablet, it is better to purchase an external battery with a capacity of 15,000 mAh. Well, a laptop requires even more value. Also, be sure to check in the specifications whether the battery supports recharging the laptop.

Number of connectors and current

The second important parameter. The fact is that many external batteries have long learned to simultaneously charge several devices. Most often, you will find two full-size USB ports on the case, and some models boast more of them!

As for the output current, it is indicated next to each USB connector. Some gadgets are contraindicated for high current strength; they need to be charged from a connector marked “1A”. In general, the higher the parameter, the faster the device can charge. But almost all of them have an internal limitation on the strength of the received current. The power controller will reduce the current if required.

Usually 2A is enough for smartphones and tablets. Only laptops require high current. You should also remember that external batteries share a certain amount of current across all USB ports. What exactly is the total current strength should also be looked at in the characteristics. For example, you have 4.5A and you connect four gadgets at once - each of them will be charged with a current of approximately 1.1A.

How to charge an external battery

Pay attention to the strength of the input current! After all, from time to time you will have to charge the external battery itself. And the faster this process is, the better it will be! Some consumers do not understand how to charge a power bank for their phone. In fact - whatever.

You can use a power adapter with a very low current - in this case the process will be very long (up to several days for some models). If you have a 2A charger, then use it. And you don’t need to wait for the exact moment when the external battery is almost completely discharged. You can connect “charging” even at the moment when 80% is displayed on the display.

Type of connectors and adapters

Typically, full-size USB ports are used for recharging, as on most modern chargers. All you have to do is get a USB cable, at the end of which there is a connector suitable for your smartphone. In many cases, such a cord is supplied complete with a plug at its end micro-USB or Lightning.

If you have a large amount of old electronics, then you need to find out which adapters are supplied with the selected power bank. It is possible that you will need an adapter for a 30-pin Apple connector or a 2.5 mm connector for a Nokia charger. But most often, adapters are an extra burden that remains forever in a box or computer desk drawer.

Flashlight and solar battery


Good external battery for phone 20,000 mAh

External batteries are often equipped with some additional gadgets. For example, the end of the device can be equipped with a bright LED, which will be used as a flashlight. This is a very good addition if you store a power bank somewhere in your car. In this case, you will always have an accessory at hand that can illuminate the underbody or trunk. But if you already have a good flashlight, then its presence in an external battery becomes completely optional.

Even now, accessories with a solar battery are gaining great popularity. In this case, a platform with photocells is placed on the body. According to the manufacturers' idea, it should recharge the external battery when it lies under bright sunlight.

Please note that for many Chinese power banks distributed via AliExpress, this design element hardly or does not work at all! Try to buy external batteries of proven models

If the solar battery is working, then you can actually recharge the external battery. But don't count on fast speed. Typically, photocells send out very little current. The exact charging time depends on the capacity of the purchased battery.

So what kind of external phone battery would be good?

Now you know exactly how to choose an external battery. Focus on capacity, current and number of connectors - this is the most important. You can also think about the brand. But practice shows that even a tiny company, which only specialists have heard of until now, can create a good device.

A good option is POWER BANK 20000 mAh

If you want to know which external battery is best for your phone, then there is no exact answer to this question. After all, it all depends on the purpose for which the power bank is purchased.

We can recommend buying a POWER BANK with a solar battery with a capacity of 20,000 mAh. It has an interesting cable design - it is retractable (it will never get lost). The high capacity will help charge not only your smartphone, but also your tablet. At its end there are two full-size USB sockets with different output current strengths. In the kit you will find numerous adapters that never hurt (they will allow you to charge not only old phones, but also something like video cameras or Sony PSP). In a word, you will definitely like this external battery!


Have you ever looked for an outlet under your desk instead of studying the menu during your lunch break? Or have you ever encountered the phenomenon of worldwide redneckism, when in public places like an airport or a bus station, you were asked to gild your pen for 15 minutes of charging the device? If yes, then a) how do we understand you; and b) it's time to do something about it!

The average smartphone dies within 24 hours. A tablet can be set up in about 8-10 hours, laptops work even less (5 hours in active use mode is already an achievement). So if you do not own an Apple iPad Air with its 12 hours of work, an external battery will help you!

Preparatory stage

Dear reader, the information below requires your brain to be turned on. :-). Because you cannot buy an external battery relying only on budget, size, color and case material. With this approach, you will throw money down the drain. We guarantee this to you.

So, to choose the right external mobile battery, you will need the following information about the device for which you are making this purchase:

  • battery capacity;

For most smartphones/tablets and laptops, this figure is measured in mAh: modern smartphones, on average, have batteries with a capacity of about 2,800 mAh, small-format tablets - about 4,000 mAh. The battery capacity of Apple devices is traditionally measured in Wh (Apple iPad Air, for example, has a 32.4 Wh battery, which means 11,560 mAh, and the new one has 6.9 Wh, i.e. 1,810 mAh).

The laptop battery, depending on the price category of the device, can have a capacity of 4,400 mAh (48 Wh) or more.

  • current strength;

We look at this parameter on the “native” charger. Typically, smartphones can be charged at a current of 1A, for tablets you need 2A, and for laptops – from 2.5A.

  • connector type.

Most batteries use USB/microUSB cords or have a sufficient set of plugs/adapters included in the package. But there are also exceptions. What should interest you? Does the configuration of the external battery for your tablet/smartphone/laptop match the connectors of your device? Fortunately, the harsh times of the mid-to-late 2000s, when even phones from the same manufacturer had different charging connectors, have passed and microUSB has become a generally accepted format.

By the way, when an external USB battery has not one, but several outputs, it is only to your benefit. So, one device can combine ports for Apple products and devices charging via microUSB, or, as in the Power Bank JLW-658, there can be several ports with different current strengths - you can charge smartphones and tablets.

Please note that the price of an external battery will directly depend on the set of functions and capacity (this is clearly visible in the model reviews below).

External battery device

So, we already know in a nutshell about the types and number of ports. Now let's talk about how different models can be arranged.

In most cases, external batteries have a charge indicator: this is how we find out both the degree of charge and the degree of “discharge” (sorry for the captain). The indicator can be either in the form of an economical LED backlight or presented on a small display.

Additionally, various models can be equipped with, say, a flashlight (the already twice-mentioned Power Bank JLW-658 contains it - hold the power button for 3 seconds, and let there be light!), and can also serve as a Wi-Fi access point (Kingston MLWG2 and MobileLite Wireless G2 from the same manufacturer is the best external battery in this group), as well as read your flash drives for fast data transfer from the drive to third devices (for example, HooToo TripMate HT-TM01) or simply have a port for connecting an HDD.

Another interesting option is an external battery with a solar panel. Don’t forget: external batteries also need to be charged, and they may also run out at the wrong time... Therefore, a solar external battery is a great option for those who are used to having a backup option for a backup option :-) .

Charging the battery from sunlight is a rather rare option for ordinary electronics stores, but it is quite possible to find and buy such a device on the Internet. For example, the Eton FRX3 and HiNation HiLight models.

Plus, not every portable battery has to have a “brick” look: an external battery for iPhone from Mophie, in addition to extra time for operation, can also provide extra space for internal storage. Provided that you are ready to put up with the extra dimensions of your smartphone for the sake of such pleasant bonuses, the Juice Pack Plus model for iPhone 5 from Mophie with 2,100 mAh is something that can help out in a critical “battery” situation, and Mophie Space Pack, in addition to charging , it will also add memory – +16/32/64 GB for iPhone 5s/5c.

We also look closely at how you can charge the external battery itself: reviews of models that can only be charged from a laptop or computer are not the most flattering. Plus, the charging process itself in this way will be slower than if you connected the unit directly to the outlet.

Universal external battery

Yes, they exist. More precisely, yes, you can choose one based on your needs. So, let’s say you need an external battery for your smartphone, but you don’t exclude the possibility of charging your tablet from it. Therefore, we choose with a reserve: a battery with a capacity of 2x the capacity of a smartphone or 2x the capacity of a tablet (the second option is more acceptable, there will never be an excess charge), as well as a current strength greater than the current strength of the tablet. Why is this so?

Because from a 2A battery you can charge a smartphone rated for a maximum of 1A - the device will take exactly as much as it needs. But not the other way around. Low-power batteries can also be used to charge devices that require a higher current, but then the charging process can take a noticeable amount of time, and such contact, if it is regular, will not benefit the devices. So, pay attention to the numbers, comrades! Let's act like educated people :-) .

Now, to consolidate, let's go through the models.

Typical external battery: Power Bank JLW-658

Power Bank products should not be confused with the English designation “power bank”, i.e. “external battery” in our language.

The model has two USB ports and supports simultaneous charging of two devices. Ports for 1A and 2A, which allows you to charge smartphones and tablets.

You can charge the battery either by connecting to a computer or from an outlet via an AC adapter.

The delivery set consists of a cable for charging via a USB connector from a PC, as well as an adapter for charging iPhone 4 and microUSB.

The battery charge is displayed on a digital display. There is a flashlight.

Model capacity: 13,000 mAh.

Full battery charging time: 11 hours.

Device dimensions: 105x73x23 mm.

You can buy Power Bank JLW-658 for 2,500 rubles.

External battery with Wi-Fi

  • Andrey 02/27/2016

    Nikita's answer:

    “Nikita 01/20/2015” is most likely a fake. Xiaomi is famous for its quality. I have a 16Ah, 5Ah battery, a wireless speaker, a headset and various small things. Defects are, of course, possible, but their overall level of quality is high; it’s not for nothing that they are called “Chinese Apple.”

     Answer

  • Maxim 08/04/2015

    It depends on your luck. At our work, the boss ordered solar rechargers SITITEK Sun-Battery SC-09, the manufacturer specified a capacity of 5000 mAh. The actual capacity is slightly lower than stated, but in principle it is able to charge three small gadgets.

     Answer

  • Artyom 09.23.2015

    I myself ran into nonsense (in a year I bought 3 Chinese brands of different brands at a garbushka, and after 3-4 months they all began to lose a lot of capacity, I had to look for a new one). As a result, I was satisfied with Remax. Although the Chinese do too, they hold the container for a long time. Every time I test a purchased battery, I divide its capacity by the capacity of the phone’s battery and see how many recharges it will take in reality. In general, I recommend Remax V6i Proda Jane Series 10000mAh!

     Answer

  • Olesya 10/01/2015

    Does the battery capacity have to be twice the capacity of the tablet? If my tablet battery capacity is 7000 mAh, and I buy an external battery with a capacity of 10400, for example, will it not be able to charge it for me at all?

    • Modern smartphones are a miracle of engineering compromises. Customers want shiny metal devices with good signal and data speeds, high-resolution displays, high-quality cameras, and room for powerful chipsets, memory and sensors for dessert. It's also a good idea to have stable software with a lot of software features. Customers expect all this in a thin and light form factor with at least a day's battery life.

    One of the main problems is that engineers cannot yet make the battery smaller in an already thin body, and designers often have to make compromises because of it. Batteries have certainly advanced in recent years, but the main technology that has been used in smartphones for a long time is lithium-ion (Li-ion).

    Lithium is the lightest of all metals and has the greatest electrochemical potential, providing the greatest energy density. Batteries in smartphones and other electronics use lithium metal electrodes.

    Li-ion batteries do not like low temperatures, they may leak electrolyte, such batteries cannot be kept discharged for a long time, they are subject to aging regardless of use. But, despite all the shortcomings, this type of power supply for smartphones is now the main one.

    Such batteries have two main form factors: cylindrical (as in power banks or landline phones) and prismatic (those we see in modern smartphones).

    A modern lithium-ion battery is close to its density limit, and it can no longer take up less space in a smartphone without reducing efficiency.

    There are also lithium polymer batteries that can be up to 1mm thick. Unlike lithium ions, the battery uses a polymer, which is a thin plastic film impregnated with electrolytes. This film prevents the conduction of current, but at the same time allows the exchange of ions, that is, it acts as a separator. The main disadvantage of polymer batteries is their unsafety. When charging, the battery heats up more due to worse conductivity compared to lithium-ion batteries (up to 60 degrees or more), as a result of which the chance of ignition is higher.

    With the discovery of ultra-thin and lightweight graphene, it was recently reported that Huawei is developing batteries for its smartphones using this material.

    In addition to the main batteries for smartphones described above (lithium-ion and lithium-polymer), there are the following varieties, differing in materials and chemical composition:


    We can summarize that at the moment the best batteries for smartphones are lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries.

    Having reached the limit of battery density in smartphones, manufacturers have begun to introduce fast charging technologies. There are also several new technologies being discussed that could replace lithium-ion batteries. There are specimens with a biochemical composition, but capacitors are no less interesting.

    Supercapacitors as battery technology in smartphones

    Capacitors are essentially similar to batteries in some respects: they are devices that can store and transfer electrical charge. However, there are some significant differences. One is that a capacitor can charge and discharge very quickly, so they are great for preventing short bursts of energy, whereas smartphones don't need that much current in such a short period of time. And unfortunately, capacitors with the required capacity are much larger than batteries... much larger.

    However, capacitor development continues to evolve and several companies and research institutions are devoting time to improving the underlying technology by working on supercapacitors. This new generation has hundreds of times higher energy density, but of course that still means significantly larger sizes. And in order to currently have such an energy source in a smartphone, you will need to carry a briefcase along with the gadget. But development does not stand still and supercapacitors retain the ability to charge very quickly, and one can imagine that over time it will be possible to charge smartphones in a few seconds and then use it for several days.

    Moreover, the supercapacitor has a longer life cycle and can be charged up to 30,000 times, compared to lithium-ion cells, which retain only 80% of their original capacity after 500 charge cycles. If capacitor technology develops, then the shelf life of such a source in a smartphone will be about 20 years, and all this without harming the environment.

    The technology requires additional investment in research and development. One organization conducting research is the University of Central Florida, where a team is using nanomaterials (conductors many times thinner than a human hair) to store and transport charge. Fellow Nitin Choudhary explained, "If supercapacitors replace batteries, you could charge your smartphone within seconds and not have to charge it for a week."

    Similar technology was developed by Rice University in Houston. They created something between a battery and a capacitor, inside which nanofibers are used, on which an electrical charge quickly accumulates and is retained.

    One problem is that the technology is still new and therefore very expensive. It will likely be a decade before we see this technology in smartphones.

    Another problem is that supercapacitors supply an extremely high amount of current for a short time, and if something goes wrong, it will lead to a very dangerous situation where the smartphone will start draining all its charge within a few seconds.

    The third problem is that in order to charge such a capacitor you will need a heavy-duty and, again, relatively compact charger.

    However, supercapacitors represent quite a promising technology. We already see it in electric vehicles. Perhaps our smartphones in the mid-2020s will have supercapacitors.

    Imagine this situation. A used mobile phone along with an old battery has fallen into your hands. The latter seems to be working so far. But sooner or later you will still have to buy a new one. Or maybe you decided to purchase a spare battery for your new device. Which one to choose? Nickel Cadmium (NiCd), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) or Lithium Ion (Li-ion)?

    They say that lithium-polymer batteries (Li-pol) have also appeared. Which container is preferable? There are many questions. Let's try to understand everything in order and consider the main advantages and disadvantages of each type.

    Nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries
    The NiCd battery is a veteran in the mobile communications device market. Has a lot of advantages:

    • excellent performance in a wide temperature range, including negative ones;
    • long service life: over a thousand charge/discharge cycles;
    • low sensitivity to improper use;
    • easy recovery when capacity decreases and after long-term storage;
    • low price.

    Of course, there are also disadvantages:

    • the need to periodically completely discharge the battery to eliminate the “memory effect”;
    • high self-discharge (up to 10% during the first 24 hours);
    • large dimensions.

    Due to their size and disposal problems (cadmium requires special disposal), NiCd batteries are gradually leaving the cell phone market.

    Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries
    The NiMH battery has replaced the NiCd. It is distinguished by:

    • greater (by about 30%) capacity than NiCd batteries with the same dimensions;
    • less prone to “memory effect” than NiCd - recovery cycles need to be performed less frequently;
    • less toxicity.

    However, in a number of parameters, NiMH batteries are still inferior to NiCd. They have fewer charge/discharge cycles (about 500), higher self-discharge (1.5-2 times higher) and a higher price.

    Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries
    Li-ion batteries are gradually gaining positions in the mobile communication device market, due to:

    • approximately twice the capacity of NiCd of the same size;
    • low self-discharge (less than 1% per day);
    • absence of any maintenance requirements, except for the need to store in a charged state.

    However, Li-ion batteries from some manufacturers can only operate at positive temperatures; they are subject to aging even if not used, plus the high price. Capacity deterioration is observed after about a year of operation. After two years, the battery practically fails. Therefore, Li-ion batteries are not recommended to be stored for a long time.

    Lithium polymer (Li-pol) batteries
    Li-pol batteries have recently appeared on the market for cell phones and laptop computers. With approximately the same density as Li-ion batteries, Li-pol can have different geometric shapes - for example, they can be very thin to take up any available space.

    How to buy batteries?


     The first thing to consider is weight, dimensions and price. NiCd is the largest and heaviest, being about twice as thick and heavy as Li-ion. The NiMH battery is noticeably lighter and smaller than NiCd, but larger and heavier than Li-ion. The picture is similar in terms of price: as cheap as a NiCd battery is, Li-ion is just as expensive.

    Second point. When batteries are sold, their service life is usually not advertised. If NiCd, with proper use, can last three years or more (even with daily charging), then NiMH, with intensive use, will only last for a little over a year, and Li-ion for about one and a half to two. A NiMH battery will exhaust its resource in terms of the number of charge/discharge cycles, and Li-ion will simply grow old, even if the number of cycles possible for it is not exhausted, and it will simply lie on the shelf.

    Long-term operation of NiCd batteries will require increased attention to their maintenance. It is recommended to discharge them completely before the next charge, and periodically, approximately once a month, carry out recovery cycles. The same requirements, although to a lesser extent, apply to NiMH batteries (regeneration cycles here are required half as often). In this regard, Li-ion batteries are the undisputed leader: they do not require any special maintenance. They can be charged at any time of the day or night, without waiting for complete discharge.

    Third. Try to buy batteries from the same manufacturer as your phone. Branded batteries, as a rule, also have branded quality. If you are offered batteries from another manufacturer, consult those who have already dealt with them. Be sure to get the seller's consent to accept the battery back if you are not satisfied with it, at least within 2 weeks. Immediately after purchase, check the operating time of your phone several times with a new battery and compare it with that specified in the operating instructions. Compare the obtained value with the operating time on the previous battery (take into account the difference in capacity). The best option for assessing battery parameters is to test the purchased battery on a Cadex 7000 type analyzer before or after purchase.

    However, even if all conditions are met and the initial 100% capacity of the battery, during operation, a premature decrease in its capacity may occur, caused, for example, by violations in manufacturing technology or some of your incorrect actions. Therefore, it would be a good idea to periodically monitor the battery parameters on the analyzer.

    General rules for using batteries:


    1. To increase service life, new NiCd and NiMH batteries are usually supplied in a discharged state, so the battery must be fully charged before use. The battery reaches its maximum capacity after 3 - 4 charge/discharge cycles. This rule also applies to Li-ion batteries, but they are supplied already in a charged state.

    2. To increase the service life and capacity, NiCd and NiMH batteries must be completely discharged (in the phone or charger) before recharging. It is recommended to charge the battery after the phone is left turned on and turns off due to battery discharge.

    3. If for one reason or another you are unable to completely discharge the NiCd or NiMH battery before charging, do so later. And perform full discharge/charge cycles at least twice a week.

    4. It is very convenient to have a spare battery. This will allow you to constantly charge the NiCd or NiMH battery in your phone to full discharge and thereby increase its service life. In addition, you will be insured against accidental breakdowns and will be spared the need to charge the battery if it suddenly stops working in the middle of the working day.

    5. Do not leave the battery in cold or warm places, such as in a car in winter and summer or near a radiator. A phone with a cold battery may temporarily not work, even if it is fully charged. Try to store the battery at a temperature of 15°C to 25°C (temperature limits for NiCd or NiMH batteries are from -20°C to +45°C and from 0°C to 45°C for Li-ion).

    6. Do not charge a warm or cold battery. Wait for it to reach room temperature. The optimal temperature for charging is 15 - 25oC.

    7. The operating time of a charged battery depends on its actual capacity, the intensity of phone conversations, the distance that takes you away from the base station, the operating mode and the ambient temperature.

    8. Use the chargers that came with your phone or purchased from your cellular operator specifically for your battery type.