Powerrbanks can damage your smartphone battery: three mistakes to watch out for

Due to the Russian terrorist attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, a power bank has become a vital necessity in every home. They charge phones, power computers and flashlights. But are these devices safe?

The iWalkWorld publication claims that, in general, power banks are designed so that they do not harm the batteries that are connected to them. But still, you need to know some rules. For example, take care of protection against overcharging, overdischarging, or short circuits.

What types of power banks are there?

Most external batteries are of two types based on battery composition: some have a lithium-ion electrolyte, and others have a lithium-polymer electrolyte.

"Banks with lithium-ion cells have a higher energy density and are cheaper. However, they lose their capacity over time, and they are also quite bulky.

Conversely, lithium-polymer superbanks are more expensive but safer. They also do not lose their real charging capacity over time. They also require less time to charge.

How to avoid damaging your phone through contact with a power bank

The likelihood that your phone will be damaged by charging from a power bank is quite small. However, it does exist. To avoid this, pay attention to these three nuances.

Use only high-quality power banks

A low-quality external battery can damage your phone's battery and its charging port. It can also create some safety risks. For example, overcharging a bad power bank can cause it to explode. Therefore, buy these devices only from trusted sellers and ask for compliance documents for the model you choose.

Pay attention to the voltage

The wrong voltage for your power bank can really cause problems. The ideal voltage for charging your phone is 5 V. If any charger delivers a voltage of 4.2 V or less, it will naturally discharge the battery rather than charge it. However, any output voltage higher than 5 V can damage the microelectronics of your phone.

Try not to overcharge the power bank

Power banks should be used sparingly. If you use it to keep your phone's charge at 100% all the time, it will damage the battery over time and your phone will lose its ability to hold a charge for a long time.

Therefore, use the power bank only when you really need to. And even then, do not charge your phone to 100%.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL told you how to choose a power bank for different types of gadgets - smartphones, tablets, and laptops.