More Harm Than Good
What’s the best time to charge your phone or electronic gadgets? That’s a good question. As this person points out, for older batteries, it was essential to prevent the “memory effect,” which could reduce their capacity if they were not fully discharged before recharging. However, with the advent of lithium-ion batteries, this approach is outdated, unnecessary, and can even be detrimental.
Lithium-ion batteries perform optimally when kept between 20% and 80% charge levels, and they have built-in mechanisms to prevent overcharging. Fully discharging a lithium-ion battery can lead to damage and reduced longevity. It’s best to recharge these modern batteries before they reach low levels to maximize their lifespan and overall performance, contrary to the old practice of draining them to 0%.