All You Ever Wanted To Know About Cell Phone Batteries
Cell phones use various kinds of batteries relying on the manufacturer, phone size or shape, and features. Basically, cell phones use four types of batteries: Lithium Polymer, Lithium-Ion, Nickel Metal Hydride, and Nickel Cadmium.
Lithium Polymer
Lithium Polymer is the most current type and uses the latest technology in DC power. This type of battery is lightweight and will not explode even if stabbed. The battery elements are enclosed in pouches made of plastic and do not have memory defects. They last about 50 times more extended than Nickel Metal Hydride batteries.
Lithium-Ion
Lithium-Ion is also memory efficient and long-lasting as compared to Nickel Metal Hydride batteries but they are fairly light. They tend to be costly and would only fit the latest models of phones. Most Lithium-ion batteries use a fast charge technique to quickly charge up your cell phone up to 80% capacity and then gradually bring it up to full power in roughly two hours.
Nickel Metal Hydride
Nickel Metal Hydride is also memory efficient and lasts longer as compared to the NIM type around 40 times. This type of battery is suitable for people who require rapid charging and if used with a car charger can be fully charged in less than 1 hour. The special formula allows the concentration of energy in a single pack – sometimes almost twice the power of Nickel Cadmium. This type is favored by a lot of mobile phone users because it stays long and is cheap. Furthermore, they are non-toxic and pleads to environmentalists.
Nickel Cadmium
Nickel Cadmium batteries are the oldest type and include a bunch of memory defects. Another extreme disadvantage is that they will have to be completely discharged before you can charge them again else you may irreversibly harm them. Furthermore, this type is highly poisonous due to the existence of Nickel Cadmium, and is slowly being phased out by cell phone manufacturers.
In their life span, batteries typically have 300 to 400 charge cycles. It is so because anytime you charge your battery, the battery loses away some of its strength and consequently becomes reduced in power.
Cell phone batteries can be pretty costly items if you think the fact that a Nokia 3310 battery can cost up to $24.95. Here are a few suggestions to extend the life of your battery:
Don’t let materials get stuck on the terminals as it causes the battery to lose contact with the charging terminals, resulting in improper connection.
Keep the batteries in a cool place and let them adjust to room temperature before charging as the abrupt rise in temperature upon charging can damage them.
The life of your cell phone counts on the strength of your battery. Understanding how they operate and how to care for them can guarantee that your cellular device operates well for years.