DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA — If your phone battery is barely holding up, that might be your fault — you've probably been charging it wrong this whole time.<br /><br />Time reports that modern smartphones use lithium-ion batteries that charge fast but also get used up quickly because of the sheer amount of mobile activity they power.<br /><br />People tend to drain their phone batteries before plugging them in overnight. Fortunately, most are equipped with chips that protect against overcharging.<br /><br />Still, it's unwise to leave a device plugged once its battery is full, since trickle charges can heat up the phone, stressing and wearing down the battery.<br /><br />Experts recommend charging the phone before it empties completely, and not bringing it to a full charge. Plugging it in occasionally throughout the day ensures the battery retains its capacity longer.<br /><br />Batteries also don't do well in extreme heat or extreme cold, so make sure it's not exposed to either.<br /><br />Of course, they will conk out eventually, but it's always nice to prolong that lifespan and save a buck or two.
