How to extend battery life in smartphones and laptops: Scientists share key tips

The batteries in today’s gadgets — lithium-ion and lithium-polymer — tend to “age” quickly when used improperly. Devices gradually lose capacity, forcing users to recharge more often. Experts from Perm Polytechnic University (PNRPU) have shared proven methods to slow down battery wear, according to Gazeta.Ru, citing the university’s press service.

Smartphones vs. Laptops: Different Systems, Same Problems

Although both types of devices use similar batteries, their charging management systems differ significantly:
• Laptops feature advanced controllers that automatically stop charging once 100% is reached, reducing stress on the battery.
• Smartphones, on the other hand, have simpler controllers that do not fully protect against constant “overcharging” when left plugged in — the main cause of degradation.

“Keeping a battery at 100% all the time is like running an engine in the red zone,” explains Alexander Romodin, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Microprocessor Automation Systems at PNRPU.

The Golden Rule: 20–80%

The main recommendation for smartphones:
• Maintain charge levels between 20% and 80%.
• Avoid charging to 100% on a regular basis.
• Perform a full cycle (from 10–15% to 100%) once or twice a month — this helps calibrate the system that estimates battery capacity.

What to Avoid

1. Full discharge — keeping a battery at 0% for 1–2 weeks can cause irreversible degradation.
2. Overheating above 40°C (104°F) — accelerates internal chemical reactions.
3. Charging below 10°C (50°F) — can cause internal damage.

You can monitor temperature in settings or via apps such as AIDA64 or CPU-Z. If the device feels hot, let it cool before charging.

Use Only Original Chargers

“Uncertified chargers often deliver unstable current and voltage, which leads directly to premature wear,” warns Daniil Kurushin, Associate Professor of Information Technologies and Automated Systems at PNRPU.

Laptop-Specific Advice

• When working plugged in, keep charge between 50% and 80%.
  • Enable charging limit modes (available on Lenovo, Dell, ASUS, HP, and others) — these automatically stop charging at a set level, typically 60–80%.

Practical Life Hacks

In Brief

Keep your charge between 20–80%, avoid overheating and deep discharge, and use original chargers. For laptops, enable charge-limiting modes. Do one full charge cycle per month for calibration.
Following these simple rules can extend your battery’s lifespan by 1–2 years.