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You don't have to deplete your battery before charging

The way batteries operate is very simple. They are made up of a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte which separates the two electrodes.

Cell phone batteries

For years, it’s been the general idea that it is usually better to deplete the charge in your device battery before recharging. The reasoning behind this is that the batteries are prone to what is known as “the memory effect” – a condition in which the battery is unable to accept full charge if there is still a partial charge present. In other words, the battery remembers what is left in it and thinks it is full when it isn’t.

This is not true. And here’s why.

Phones and devices of this generation are powered by Lithium Ion batteries, which the “memory effect” does not apply to. Therefore, your device can receive a full charge regardless of the amount of charge present.

The way batteries operate is very simple. They are made up of a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte which separates the two electrodes. When the battery is providing power to a device, ions flow from the negative electrode, across the electrolyte, and into the positive electrode. When it is being charged, the flow is reversed. It is that simple.

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Alkaline batteries are not rechargeable, NiCad (made of Nickel and Cadmium) are rechargeable but have the memory effect thing. Li-Ion (made of lithium) however, do not have this problem and are used in almost all devices now so you have nothing to worry about.

Tech Tip: Always remember to disconnect your phone when the battery is full as overcharging your battery can shorten its life span. Also after your battery runs flat, allow it charge to about 40% before you start regular use again to prolong the battery life.

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