Some people worry when their phones start having issues after being exposed to cold weather. It’s important to understand that temperature does affect phone batteries. In extremely cold conditions, the ions inside the battery stop moving, causing the battery to fail.
The effect of cold on phone batteries is scientifically explainable. All phone batteries, whether lithium-ion or lithium-polymer, contain a series of metal plates divided into positive and negative poles, with a chemical liquid stored between them. When your phone battery charges, the negative plates (anode) fill with electrons, and the positive plates (cathode) fill with positive ions. As these ions move in opposite directions, the energy needed to power your phone is generated.
However, extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, disrupt this balance. For instance, in very cold weather, the resistance in the battery increases, and fewer electrons and positive ions are able to move. As a result, your phone’s battery capacity decreases significantly.
Most smartphone manufacturers use lithium-ion batteries (often referred to as Li-ion or LIB). These batteries come in different sizes, but most smartphone batteries are small and rectangular. Some smartphones, however, use lithium-polymer batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries work by moving ions between the positive and negative poles during charging or discharging. Air temperature, specifically, can impact how these ions move between the electrodes. If the temperature drops too low, the ions stop moving, and the battery stops working. The key point is that the temperature has to be extremely cold for this to occur.
Below -40°C: The battery stops functioning.
Below -20°C: Some charge will be drained from the battery.
Above 0°C: The battery will charge without issue.
Above 45°C: Charging the battery should be avoided.
Above 60°C: The battery begins to discharge.
The first step to protect your phone's battery in cold weather is to activate battery-saving mode. This feature helps extend battery life by limiting energy consumption, reducing screen brightness, and lowering CPU performance, thus keeping your battery use in check.
Try to keep your phone warm when you're outdoors. If you're going outside, it’s best to keep your phone in your pocket to protect it from the cold and wind. Alternatively, you can warm it by keeping it close to your body. Just be cautious that the temperature doesn’t exceed a safe limit, as too much heat can also damage the battery.
