Has Your Cell Phone Battery Failed?

Damaged iPhone 5s battery on the left,
new battery on the right

Have you ever had problems with your cell phone battery that "just doesn't last as long as it used to"?  Most of us have had that experience, you're not alone.  Experience says there are 3 basic reasons for battery failures:

1. least likely is a manufacturing defect
2. next, the battery has overheated, maybe because of the last, and most likely reason, 
3. the battery has been overcharged or charged too long

A manufacturing defect is possible but unlikely.  Have you ever felt your cell phone "get hot"?  Despite the actual cause of overheating, heat damages the battery.  Let's just jump to the most probable cause - over charging.  Why is this the most probable cause?  Most of us are likely using inferior, aftermarket chargers and cables because we don't know where the original charger and cable are that came with the phone.  The originals are the best to use and "shouldn't" cause overcharging, but could if they have failed or are damaged.

In my opinion, the "best" option is to use the cable and charger that came with your phone and not one you purchased at the local grocery or pharmacy, you just don't know how good they really are.  Here is a great Apple article on  "Maximizing Battery Life and Lifespan".   Lifehacker also has an excellent write up on the proper charging and care of Lithium Ion batteries.  Remember, Lithium Ion batteries are not the same as the old style batteries some of us, if you're old enough to remember, used in flashlights and other electronics.

- - - - -

Don't forget to check out my page on Facebook as the "PhoneFixer".  I'm a certified iTech, mobile device repair specialist.