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We have to charge our smartphones every day and do so so often that it has almost become self-evident. But we must not forget that even during charging, errors can occur that damage the device in the long term.
You may already know that charging your device to 100% isn’t ideal; In fact, you only need to charge your phone up to 80% to keep the battery in the best condition. But here are three common mistakes you might be guilty of, too.
Use the correct cable
Most smartphones are supplied by the manufacturer with a suitable charging cable. But this is not always the case. And even if you buy a new cable, don’t just use an old one.
To ensure that the charging cable works properly, is protected from overheating and transmits consistent power, USB-IF certification (or alternatively MFi for Apple devices) is a must.
Also make sure that the transmission capacity of the cable approximately matches the power/wattage of your power supply unit. This allows you to achieve the fastest possible loading speed. You can also check this with a battery app at the same time as charging.
If necessary, a cheap USB cable will suffice even if you have nothing else at hand. However, poorly insulated cables without certification can lead to voltage fluctuations and short circuits, which can also damage the connected device and the battery.
Use a suitable power adapter
Also make sure you use the correct power adapter for your smartphone and charging cable. If your device supports fast charging, you should also use a suitable power adapter. Otherwise you will have to wait longer for the smartphone to charge.
It is also not recommended to leave the power adapter permanently plugged into the socket. Not only will you be constantly consuming power, but in the worst case, the power adapter can also be damaged in the event of a short circuit.
Prevent cable breakage
Last but not least, it is important to always keep the charging cable straight and not kink it. When your phone is plugged into a bedside table or desk, it can often be the case that your smartphone lays flat but the cable does not, causing a kink that ultimately leads to damage. Faulty cables can also lead to faulty transmissions, overheating and short circuits.
Check out our overview of the best power banks for your phone.
This article originally appeared in our sister publication PC WELT and was translated and adapted from German.