We have to charge our smartphones every day and do it so often that it has almost become a matter of course. But we should not forget that even when charging, mistakes can happen that damage the device in the long term.
You may already know that it’s not ideal to charge your device to 100%; in fact, you should charge your phone only to 80% to keep its battery in the best condition. But here are three more common mistakes you may well also be guilty of.
Use the right cable
Most smartphones are supplied with a suitable charging cable by the manufacturer. But this is not always the case. And even if you buy a new cable, you shouldn’t just use any old one.
To ensure that the charging cable works properly, is protected against overheating and transmits consistent power, USB-IF certification (or alternatively MFi for Apple devices) is a must.
You should also make sure that the transmission capacity of the cable corresponds approximately to the power/wattage of your power supply unit. This will enable you to achieve the fastest possible charging speed. You can also check this at the same time as charging with a battery app.
If necessary, a cheap USB cable will also do if you have nothing else to hand. However, poorly insulated cables without certification can lead to voltage fluctuations and short circuits, which can also damage the connected device and its battery.
Use a suitable power adapter
You should also make sure you use the right power adapter for your smartphone and charging cable. If your device supports fast charging, then you should also use a suitable power adapter. Otherwise you will have to wait longer for the smartphone to charge.
Incidentally, it is also not advisable to leave the power adapter permanently plugged into the socket. Not only will you be constantly consuming power, but in the worst-case scenario, the power adapter could also be damaged in the event of a short circuit.
Avoid cable breakage
Last but not least, it is important to always keep the charging cable straight and not kink it. When your phone is plugged in at a bedside table or desk, it can often be the case that your smartphone is lying flat but the cable is not, resulting in a kink that eventually leads to damage. Defective cables can also lead to faulty transmissions, overheating and short circuits.
Check out our round-up of the best power banks for your phone.
This article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and adapted from German.
