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Ultra-fast chargers have become an indispensable standard for many users when choosing their smartphones, offering convenience in daily tasks.
Despite the convenience they bring, ultra-fast chargers also raise concerns, particularly about battery life. This has sparked continuous debates among tech enthusiasts, prompting phone manufacturers to seek safer charging solutions.
The debate intensifies as Chinese manufacturers push charging speeds to 120W or even 240W, while longstanding brands like Apple and Samsung stick to speeds below 45W. This has fueled further discussions on whether frequent use of ultra-fast charging leads to battery degradation.
Is frequent use of ultra-fast chargers advisable? Let's delve into the answer in the following article.The Electrochemical Charging Principle of Batteries
A phone battery serves as an energy reservoir, providing power for device operations. The charging process involves converting external energy into the battery to increase its capacity and prolong usage time. It's tied to the movement of electric ions within the battery, namely positively or negatively charged particles.
Today's popular phone batteries are lithium-ion (Li-ion) or lithium-polymer (Li-Po) types, known for their high energy density, long lifespan, and resistance to discharge. These batteries consist of two electrodes: a negative electrode (anode) and a positive electrode (cathode), separated by an electrolyte. The electrolyte is a substance that conducts electricity when dissolved in a solution or in liquid form, containing electrically charged ions.
Electric ions at the positive electrode gradually shift to the negative electrode during battery discharge and vice versa.When the battery is not charging, lithium ions at the negative electrode bond with carbon atoms, forming lithium-carbon compounds (LiC6). Upon connecting the battery to an external power source for charging, the flow of electrons (negatively charged particles) forces them to move from the positive electrode to the negative electrode of the battery. This separates lithium ions at the negative electrode from carbon atoms, causing them to migrate through the electrolyte towards the positive electrode of the battery. During this process, lithium ions carry positive charges, thereby maintaining the flow of current within the battery.
As lithium ions reach the positive electrode, they bond with other metal atoms such as cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), or manganese (Mn), forming metal lithium compounds (LiCoO2, LiNiO2, or LiMn2O4). This process facilitates energy storage in the battery, continuing until the battery capacity reaches its maximum.
The battery charging and discharging process occurs continuously as described theoretically.When the battery powers the device, the reverse process occurs. Electrons flow from the negative electrode to the positive electrode of the battery through an external circuit. This separates lithium ions at the positive electrode from metal atoms, causing them to move through the electrolyte towards the negative electrode of the battery. As lithium ions reach the negative electrode, they recombine with carbon atoms, forming lithium-carbon compounds. This process depletes the battery's energy and continues until the battery capacity is exhausted.
Thus, the process of charging a phone battery and the movement of electric ions is a complex chemical process involving the conversion between electrical and chemical energy. This process affects the performance and lifespan of the battery, hence the need for proper usage and protective measures.
However, batteries have a lifespan and gradually degrade over time as this process occurs.Main Causes of Battery Degradation
Temperature is a crucial factor when charging phone batteries, especially with fast charging technology. The temperature directly affects the ability to convert electric ions within the battery and leads to a gradual loss of the battery's initial capacity as designed.
The inability to convert energy is the main issue with electrolytes and is also the primary cause of battery degradation. Electrolytes act as solvents, indispensable components inside batteries that cannot be replaced.
Temperature stands as the primary culprit behind battery degradation.In cases of batteries using solid-state electrolytes like lithium-ion or lithium-polymer, electrolyte precipitation is a common issue. When electrolytes precipitate or generate byproducts, altering their structure and composition, conductivity and battery capacity are reduced.
Subsequently, electrolyte precipitation impedes the continuous conversion of energy-carrying ions, gradually diminishing performance over time. Prolonged occurrence can render the battery unusable.
However, battery electrolytes are the most vulnerable component leading to gradual capacity decline.Manufacturer Solutions for Fast Charging Implementation
The excessive heat generated during fast charging can significantly affect electrolytes and associated components. Manufacturers have devised various measures to address potential issues arising from fast charging usage.
Long-Term Unmaintained Charging Power
Manufacturers may advertise their devices as capable of 120W or 240W fast charging, but this power isn't sustained throughout the charging process. They divide it into different stages:
- Stage 1: Fast Charging. This initial stage involves charging the battery when it's low. Here, the current into the battery is maintained at a high level for quick energy replenishment. Charging speed can reach up to 80% capacity within 15 to 30 minutes. However, this stage can also generate high heat, necessitating cooling measures and protection.
- Stage 2: Slow Charging. This follows after the battery reaches about 80% capacity. Here, the current into the battery gradually decreases to minimize overcharging and protect battery lifespan. Charging speed in this stage can take from 15 to 30 minutes to replenish the remaining 20% capacity. This stage also helps reduce heat for the battery and device.
- Stage 3: Trickle Charging. This final stage occurs when the battery is fully charged. Here, the current into the battery is maintained at a very low level, only to compensate for the battery's self-discharge. Charging speed in this stage is very slow and has minimal impact on battery capacity. This stage also does not generate high heat for the battery and device.
Phones will never maintain maximum power throughout the charging process.Large Vapor Chamber Cooling Design for Phones
A Vapor Chamber is a type of liquid cooling, designed as a tube containing a liquid capable of vaporization and condensation upon contact with the device's heat-emitting components. During device operation, the liquid in the Vapor Chamber vaporizes and carries heat from the heat-emitting components to cooler areas, then condenses and returns to its original position.
This process effectively cools the device and maintains stable temperatures. Manufacturers have designed larger Vapor Chambers to increase contact area and heat dissipation capabilities for devices using fast charging technology. For example, Xiaomi has equipped the Xiaomi 12 Pro with a 1720mm² Vapor Chamber, enabling efficient heat dissipation during 120W fast charging.
Phones equipped with fast charging come with a very large cooling system.Splitting the Battery into Two and Charging with Smaller Currents
This is a method to reduce pressure on the battery during fast charging. Instead of using a single battery cell, manufacturers split the battery into two separate cells and charge them simultaneously with smaller currents.
This helps reduce voltage and current into each battery cell, thus reducing the risk of overcharging, overheating, or battery degradation. Fast charging technologies employing this method include OPPO's SuperVOOC, Samsung's Super Fast Charging, Xiaomi's HyperCharge, or realme's Super Dart Charge,...
Manufacturers also split the battery into smaller cells to reduce the charging current into each battery cell, thereby reducing heat during the charging process.What Users Should Do to Fast Charge Without Impacting Battery Health?
There isn't much to do on your device when using fast charging on your phone. Manufacturers have meticulously calculated all issues from the start, so what you need to do is not let your device become too hot during charging.
First, use an original or compatible charger with your device and charging technology. Each device and charging technology has specific technical specifications, such as voltage, current, power,... Using an incompatible charger can cause overvoltage, overcurrent, or overload, damaging the battery or device. You should choose a charger from the original manufacturer or certified by reputable organizations, such as CE, UL, FCC,...
Use an original charger to avoid voltage conflicts inside the device.Avoid using your phone while charging, especially heavy activities like gaming, video watching,... Using the phone while charging consumes battery power while it's still being charged. This reduces the efficiency of fast charging technology and prolongs charging time. Additionally, using the phone while charging can also generate high heat for the battery and device, affecting battery lifespan and safety.
Charge the battery in a cool and well-ventilated place. Temperature is an important factor affecting the charging process. Charging the battery in a high-temperature environment can cause overheating, overcharging, or chemical degradation of the battery, reducing battery capacity and lifespan.
Limit Phone Usage While ChargingYou should charge the battery in a cool and well-ventilated place, avoiding direct sunlight, heat sources, or obstacles that reduce the battery's ability to dissipate heat. It might be best to turn on the air conditioning while charging the battery and even use a cooling pad when using high-power fast charging.
In Conclusion
Fast charging technology offers many conveniences that you can use anytime to meet all your usage needs. What you need to do is understand the nature of battery depletion and how to prevent the phone from becoming too hot or hindering heat dissipation during charging.
Moreover, battery prices nowadays are quite cheap, as low as under 1 million dong, so you can comfortably use your device throughout its lifespan, and at least after 2 - 3 years, when the battery truly deteriorates, it should be replaced.
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