3 sneaky tips I exploit to spice up my Pixel telephone’s battery without spending a dime

In a single sense, it is exceptional that we’re in a position to harness energy out of small rechargeable battery packs, and that fashionable battery chemistry permits for the continued flourishing of cellular devices available on the market. Alternatively, batteries are notoriously temperamental, being topic to degradation over the course of their (consumable) lifespans.

With how a lot we depend on our smartphones as of late, and with how transportable and handy they’re, it is no shock that they are topic to a number of the most intense battery well being degradation of all shopper tech merchandise. Within the case of my Google Pixel 10, an Android gadget that I merely adore, I have been on a mission to protect its battery well being for so long as potential.

Listed here are three tips and strategies I personally depend on to keep up a wholesome battery pack inside my Pixel 10. Whereas the following tips particularly goal Google’s newest flagship handset, additionally they apply to only about each different smartphone out available on the market, Android or in any other case.

Set a cost limiter

Fight the chemical stress of in a single day charging

Most higher-end telephones launched over the previous couple of years have shipped with built-in cost limiters, and Google’s Pixel line is not any exception. Primarily, a cost limiter units a most recharge degree (normally someplace between 70 p.c and 90 p.c), stopping the gadget from topping up its battery to full capability irrespective of how lengthy its plugged in for.

Whereas setting a cost restrict does lower the quantity of accessible battery life on the day-to-day, it additionally helps to stop put on and tear (and thus, it preserves longer-term battery life). The rationale for that is that batteries are chemically careworn when at full 100% capability, which damages their means to carry a full cost over time.

To set a cost restrict on a Google Pixel telephone, comply with these steps:

1. Launch the Settings software.
2. Navigate to Battery > Battery well being > Charging optimization.
3. Toggle on Use charging optimization, after which faucet or click on on the Restrict to 80% entry.

Keep away from excessive temperatures

Batteries are delicate to fluctuating highs and lows

Credit score: Pocket-lint / Canva

Merely put, rechargeable batteries aren’t a fan of maximum ambient temperatures, whether or not it’s warmth, chilly, or a fluctuation between the 2. Shopper tech gadgets just like the Pixel 10 are designed to function most successfully at particular temperature ranges, with someplace between 62 levels Fahrenheit (16 levels Celsius) and 72 levels Fahrenheit (22 levels Celsius) being a secure guess.

As somebody who lives in part of the world with pretty giant temperature swings, I take care to not go away my Pixel in direct daylight for prolonged intervals of time (particularly whereas charging), and I be sure to hold it round in my pocket when out and about through the winter. I additionally keep away from stressing the battery via intense computational use whereas charging — for instance, I do not play cellular video games whereas concurrently topping up the gadget, as this generates extra warmth than is right.

Retailer in a half-charged state

A fifty p.c charged battery is a contented battery

Credit score: Pocket-lint / Canva

As somebody who exams out all kinds of smartphones all year long, I inevitably discover myself needing to position older fashions in storage for prolonged intervals of time. Other than guaranteeing a climate-controlled storage setting, it is key to show off gadgets at round half a tank of juice to maximise their longevity and well being.

As Apple factors out in an iPhone support document, it is thought of greatest follow to cost again as much as 50% battery capability each six months whereas in storage, to keep away from damaging battery well being in the long term. A completely discharged gadget in storage is extra prone to fall right into a deep discharge state, which might break its means to carry a cost. A completely charged gadget positioned into storage, in the meantime, is extra prone to end in a discount in total battery capability. Pixel telephones, with their built-in lithium-ion battery packs, are topic to those similar considerations that plague in-storage iPhone fashions.