Is It Necessary to Fully Charge Your Cellphone the First Time?

[daniel_i_l]

Is it true that it's good for the battery if you fully charge the cellphone the first time you charge it. If so then why? If not, why is it recommended?
Thanks.

 

[B. Elliott]

For lithium-ion batteries, which almost all cell pones use now, there's no need to charge it fully the first time you use it. Li-ion batteries don't have a 'memory' to them them like Ni-Cad batteries do, where crystals would begin to form if it was left at half-charge for long periods of time without frequent complete discharging and recharging.

One thing that will kill a Li-ion batteries life is quick chargers... which are most of the typical car chargers out there.

 

[quicknote]

I can say that it is not necessary to fully charge your cellphone the first time you charge it. While it may have been recommended in the past, modern lithium-ion batteries do not require this type of conditioning.

In fact, fully charging a new battery can actually be harmful in the long run. This is because lithium-ion batteries have a limited number of charge cycles, and each time the battery is fully charged, it counts as one cycle. Therefore, fully charging the battery unnecessarily can reduce its overall lifespan.

It is recommended to charge your new cellphone to around 80% and then use it until it reaches 20% before charging it again. This will help to optimize the battery's performance and prolong its lifespan.

Ultimately, the most important factor in maintaining a healthy battery is to avoid extreme temperatures and to avoid fully draining the battery on a regular basis. So, while fully charging your new cellphone may not necessarily be harmful, it is not necessary and may even have negative effects in the long run.