Battery Care and Charging Management

Positive Battery Charging Management

Preparation and Settings for New Devices or New Batteries

This guide refers to VollaOS 14 (individual functions may differ in earlier VollaOS versions).

Step 1: Battery Calibration

1. Charge without usage to 100% and then use without charging until 10–5%.
2. Repeat this process ideally three times in succession.
   • The battery is now calibrated in terms of charging management and battery level display.

Step 2: Power Saving Mode

1. Open Settings > Battery > Power Saving Mode.
   • Enable Power Saving Mode: Turn on.

Step 3: Battery Manager

1. Open Settings > Battery > Battery Manager.
   • Use "Battery Manager" function: Turn on.

Step 4: Charging Control

1. Open Settings > Battery > Charging Control.
   • Enable Charging Control: Turn on.
   • Limit: Set to 85% using the slider (max.: 90%, ideal: 80%).

Step 5: Disable Fast Charging

1. Open Settings > Battery.
   • Fast Charging: Turn off.
   • This step must be checked and, if necessary, repeated after each phone restart. "Fast Charging" is not available on all device models.

During Daily Use

• Use the phone without charging until the battery level reaches approximately 20%.

 ** This doubles the battery lifespan compared to usage until nearly 0%.

• At 20%, charge the battery continuously (and ideally without usage) up to the charging limit set in Step 4.
• Charge the battery preferably using a power adapter and USB cable.
• Prefer slow charging (0.5C) over 2–3 hours (depending on the battery).
• Charge the battery at temperatures between 15 °C and 45 °C.

During Use with Higher Demands

If full battery capacity is needed for specific reasons (e.g., all-day activities):

• Charge the battery to 100% shortly before the usage period begins (temporarily disable the charging limit from Step 4) to disconnect the phone from the power source promptly.

Negative Conditions for Battery Lifespan

The following conditions must be avoided at all costs, as they can significantly reduce battery lifespan:

• Fast Charging (1C or 2C with approximately 1 to 0.5 hours of charging time): Can reduce battery lifespan to 70%.
• Excessively High Temperatures above 50 °C (e.g., direct sunlight, hot car dashboard): Can reduce lifespan to 80%.
• Excessively Low Temperatures (e.g., in a cold vehicle in winter or prolonged use below 0 °C): Can reduce lifespan to 80–70%.
• Frequent Charging to 100%.
• Regularly Leaving the Battery at 100% for Extended Periods without usage: Can reduce lifespan to as low as 20%.
• Frequent Discharging Until the Device Shuts Down Automatically.

Simultaneous Charging and Using the Smartphone – Healthy for the Battery?

Simultaneous charging and usage is possible but comes with limitations.

Modern smartphones have intelligent charging systems that prevent overcharging. However, simultaneous charging and usage (e.g., during gaming, streaming, audio, or videos) generates heat, which can damage the battery in the long term.

Recommendation: Avoid intensive usage during charging, especially with fast charging or at high temperatures. Use the device lightly if necessary (e.g., checking messages), but avoid continuous use.

Wireless Charging

Basics

• Technology: Wireless charging transfers energy via electromagnetic fields from a charging station to the smartphone. Wired charging transfers energy directly through a cable.
• Battery Type: Both methods charge the same lithium-ion battery commonly used in smartphones. The charging method does not alter the battery’s chemistry.

Comparison: Wireless vs. Wired Charging

1. Heat Generation

• Wireless Charging: Tends to generate more heat due to energy losses from wireless transmission (inefficiency) and the proximity between the coil and the battery. Heat is a primary factor affecting battery health in the long term.
• Wired Charging: Generates less heat, especially with standard charging (not fast charging), as energy transfer is more efficient.
• Conclusion: Wireless charging can become warmer during prolonged use, making it potentially more harmful to the battery.

2. Charging Efficiency

• Wireless Charging: Less efficient (approximately 70–85% efficiency), as some energy is lost as heat. This results in longer charging times to achieve the same energy intake.
• Wired Charging: More efficient (approximately 90–95%), leading to shorter charging times and less stress on the battery.
• Conclusion: Wired charging is gentler, as the battery reaches the target charge faster.

3. Charging Cycles and Control

• Wireless Charging: Many wireless chargers keep the battery at 100% when the smartphone remains on the charging station for extended periods (e.g., overnight). This can stress the battery if no charging limit is activated.
• Wired Charging: Modern smartphones often have better charging optimizations (e.g., “optimized charging”) that also work with cables.
• Conclusion: Without intelligent control, wireless charging is less favorable, as the battery is more frequently kept at 100%.

4. Fast Charging

• Wireless Charging: Often supports wireless fast charging (e.g., 15W with Qi), which generates additional heat and places more strain on the battery.
• Wired Charging: Fast charging (e.g., 20W or more) also generates heat, but better heat dissipation through the cable can mitigate the effect.
• Conclusion: Fast charging is taxing with both methods, but wireless fast charging tends to generate more heat.

What’s Healthier for the Battery?

Wired charging is generally gentler on battery health because it:

• Is more efficient (less energy loss),
• Generates less heat,
• Often works better with the smartphone’s charging optimization features.

Wireless charging is not inherently “unhealthy” but has disadvantages:

• Higher heat generation,
• Lower efficiency,
• Potential continuous stress at 100% if the device remains on the charging station for long periods.

Practical Tips for Wireless Charging

If you prefer wireless charging, you can protect battery health by:

• Avoiding Heat: Use a charging station with cooling (e.g., a fan) and avoid direct sunlight.
• Enabling Charging Limit: If your smartphone supports it (e.g., up to 80%), use it to prevent continuous charging at 100%.
• No Case: Remove thick protective cases during charging to reduce heat buildup.
• No Intensive Usage: Avoid gaming or video streaming during wireless charging, as this further increases the temperature.

Conclusion

• Healthier: Wired charging has the edge, as it is more efficient and stays cooler.
• Unhealthy: Wireless charging is not directly harmful, but increased heat and lower efficiency can shorten battery lifespan with improper use.

For maximum battery health, wired charging at a moderate speed (no extreme fast charging) with a charging limit of 80% is the best choice. If you use wireless charging, pay attention to heat management and intelligent charging options.

All statements regarding battery lifespan and its influencing factors assume that when considering one factor, the other factors are optimally adhered to. With multiple negative factors, the negative prognosis can accumulate.