Smartphone Batteries
What are Smartphone Batteries?
Smartphone batteries are the lifeline of our mobile devices. They are the powerhouses that enable smartphones to be truly mobile. Without batteries, our phones would be constantly plugged to power outlets, defeating their purpose.
Types of Smartphone Batteries
The most common type of battery found in smartphones today is the Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery. This technology has dominated the market because these batteries are lightweight, have a high energy density, and don’t suffer from the memory effect (a scenario where batteries lose their maximum energy capacity when only partially discharged before charging).
However, Lithium Polymer (Li-Po) batteries are also gaining traction. They are generally thinner and can be shaped more freely than Li-Ion, which makes them particularly suitable for modern slim smartphone designs.
Capacity and Lifespan of Smartphone Batteries
Battery capacity is usually measured in milliamp-hours (mAh), indicating the amount of energy a battery can store. A higher mAh rating means a battery can power a device for a longer period before needing a recharge. However, the battery life a user experiences is also influenced by the phone’s hardware and software optimization.
The lifespan of a smartphone battery is typically defined by its charge cycles. A charge cycle happens every time you use 100% of the battery’s capacity, but not necessarily in one go. For example, using half the battery’s capacity one day and the other half the next day counts as one cycle.
Most smartphone batteries retain up to 80% of their original capacity after 300-500 charge cycles.
Smartphone Battery Charging Technologies
Fast charging is one of the most sought-after features in modern smartphones. This technology allows batteries to be charged much more quickly than traditional methods—at times, a device can go from 0% to 50% in just 30 minutes.
However, fast charging can also lead to increased heat, which might affect the battery’s longevity. Wireless charging has also become popular, offering a convenient way to charge devices without cords, though it’s usually slower than wired fast charging.
Manufacturers are constantly researching ways to improve charging speeds while maintaining battery health. Technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge and USB Power Delivery (PD) are examples of systems developed to optimize the charging process efficiently and safely.
Types of Smartphone Batteries
Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) Batteries
These are currently the most common type of batteries found in modern smartphones. Lithium-ion batteries offer a good balance between energy density, weight, and lifespan.
They are lightweight and capable of holding a lot of power relative to their size, which makes them ideal for mobile devices that require significant power but have limited space.
One of the advantages of Li-Ion batteries is that they have no memory effect, meaning you do not need to completely discharge them before recharging, thereby avoiding potential damage and preserving battery life.
However, Li-Ion batteries can degrade over time and their capacity reduces after a few hundred charge cycles. They are also susceptible to overheating and can pose a fire hazard if damaged or improperly handled.
Lithium-Polymer (Li-Po) Batteries
Lithium-polymer batteries are similar to lithium-ion batteries, but they use a polymer electrolyte instead of a liquid one. This allows for even thinner designs and, consequently, they can be made into various shapes and sizes, offering flexibility in smartphone design.
Li-Po batteries are more robust and less prone to leaking than Li-Ion batteries because of their solid state. They can also be lighter and have an improved lifespan, but they tend to be more expensive to manufacture.
Furthermore, Li-Po batteries still share some limitations associated with Li-Ion, such as capacity degradation over time and sensitivity to high temperatures.
Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) Batteries
Nickel-cadmium batteries were once widely used in various electronic devices, including earlier mobile phones. They are known for their ability to deliver a stable amount of power even under heavy load, which is beneficial for high-drain electronics.
However, they have largely fallen out of favor for use in smartphones for several reasons. NiCd batteries suffer from a ‘memory effect’, which means that if they are repeatedly recharged after being only partially discharged, they can lose their maximum energy capacity over time.
Additionally, they are heavier and have a lower energy density compared to lithium-based batteries. NiCd batteries also contain cadmium, which is a toxic heavy metal and poses environmental hazards when disposed improperly.
Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) Batteries
Nickel-metal hydride batteries are considered an improvement over NiCd batteries due to their higher capacity and reduced memory effect. They are more environmentally friendly since they do not contain cadmium.
However, like NiCd, NiMH batteries are heavier and have a lower energy density than lithium-based batteries, making them less ideal for use in the slim and lightweight design of today’s smartphones. They also have a high self-discharge rate, which means they lose their charge relatively quickly when not in use.
Best smartphone batteries
- Samsung Galaxy M51: With a massive 7000mAh battery, the Samsung Galaxy M51 stands out for its long-lasting power, capable of getting users through more than a day of heavy use.
- ASUS ROG Phone 5: Geared towards gamers, this phone includes a 6000mAh battery, ensuring extended gaming sessions without constant recharging.
- iPhone 13 Pro Max: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max have an impressive battery life thanks to its efficient A15 Bionic chip and a well-optimized 4352mAh battery, offering up to 28 hours of talk time.
- Motorola Moto G Power: This budget-friendly smartphone has a 5000mAh battery, providing up to three days of use on a single charge for average users.
- Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC: This mid-range handset comes with a sizable 5160mAh battery and supports 33W fast charging, striking a good balance between capacity and charging speed.
- OnePlus 9 Pro: With its 4500mAh battery, it features the Warp Charge 65T technology, which enables the device to charge from 0-100% in just 29 minutes.
- Realme 7 Pro: Renowned for its battery life, the Realme 7 Pro has a 4500mAh battery with 65W SuperDart Charge that can power up the phone to 100% in 34 minutes.
- Google Pixel 5: Google’s more environmentally-friendly phone has a 4080mAh battery, which, combined with the power-efficient Snapdragon 765G processor, offers outstanding battery life.
- Oppo Find X3 Pro: This phone doesn’t just shine with its 1 billion color display but also a 4500mAh battery that supports exceptionally fast 65W charging, recharging the battery in about 38 minutes.
- Sony Xperia 1 II: Aimed at photography enthusiasts, the Xperia 1 II includes a 4000mAh battery, which makes it one of the best camera phones in 2024.
