Charging your phone at night? Why it harms the battery and how to avoid wear.

Plugging in your smartphone to charge before bed is a common action for many people. However, leaving it at '100%' charge overnight may harm the health of the battery.

Lithium-ion batteries function best within a range of 20-80% charge and do not handle extremes well. Prolonged holding at 100% charge can lead to 'chemical stress', which gradually damages the internal components of the battery. When the phone reaches full charge, the controller stops the current, but as soon as the charge level drops to 99%, the process starts again. Doing nothing all night results in dozens of micro-cycles that lead to rapid battery degradation. The heat generated during charging can also reduce battery lifespan, especially if the phone is charged under a pillow or blanket, creating a 'thermos effect'.

To preserve battery life, it is better to use optimized (adaptive) charging. Some modern phone models automatically allow charging the battery to 80%, stopping, and then adding more charge right before waking up. Additionally, short charges throughout the day for 20-30 minutes during coffee breaks or while working on the computer are recommended. This approach allows you to maintain a comfortable charge level.

It is also necessary to remove the case while charging, especially if it is tight, to dissipate heat better. Another useful tip is to keep the charge level at 85-90%, as this is less harmful to the battery than maintaining it constantly at 100%.