There are various sayings about battery maintenance on the Internet, such as "full discharge once a month to calibrate the battery" and "avoid charging while using". But are these suggestions really scientific? Do modern batteries still need to be "calibrated" regularly? This article will reveal the truth for you.
I. What is battery calibration?
"Calibration" usually refers to a specific operation to allow the device's battery management system (BMS) to re-detect the remaining power to improve the accuracy of the power display. Early nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries had a "memory effect" and needed to be fully discharged regularly to eliminate capacity decay. But does this rule apply to the lithium-ion batteries (Li-ion) that are widely used today?
II. Lithium-ion batteries do not need to be deliberately calibrated
a. Characteristics of lithium-ion batteries
- Lithium-ion batteries have no "memory effect", and over-discharging will accelerate battery aging.
- The BMS of modern devices (such as iPhones and MacBooks) automatically optimizes battery performance without manual intervention.
b. Official recommendations from manufacturers
- Apple: It is clear that there is no need to fully discharge regularly, and it is recommended to keep the power between 20%-80% to extend battery life.
- Samsung: Similar view, emphasizing avoiding extreme charging and discharging, and recommending the use of official chargers.
III. In what situations does calibration need to be performed?
Although lithium-ion batteries do not require regular calibration, manual operation may be required in the following situations:
1. Abnormal power display: The power displayed by the device is seriously inconsistent with the actual usage time (such as suddenly jumping from 50% to 10%).
2. After long-term non-use: The battery may cause BMS data deviation due to self-discharge.
Operation steps (applicable to occasional calibration):
- Drain the device until it automatically shuts down.
- Connect the charger, charge to 100% and keep it for 1 hour (activate the calibration mechanism of BMS).
IV. The correct posture of modern battery maintenance
a. Avoid extreme charging and discharging
- Long-term power below 20% or above 80% will accelerate battery loss.
- Enable the "Optimized Battery Charging" function (such as iOS's "Pause Charging to 80%)".
b. Use the original charger
- Poor-quality chargers may cause voltage instability and damage the battery.
c. Reduce use in high temperature environments
- High temperature will accelerate the chemical reaction inside the battery and shorten its life.
d. Update the system regularly
- Manufacturers will optimize the BMS algorithm through system updates to improve battery management efficiency.
V. Summary: Calibration ≠ maintenance, scientific use is the key
- No need for regular calibration: The BMS of lithium-ion batteries is smart enough, and deliberate full discharge is harmful.
- Pay attention to daily habits: Keeping the power within a reasonable range, avoiding high temperature environments, and using original accessories are more important than calibration.
- Recalibrate when abnormal: If the power display is abnormal, you can occasionally perform a full charge and discharge cycle, but the frequency should not be too high (once every 3-6 months).
Summarize
Battery technology is constantly improving, and maintenance methods must also keep pace with the times. Instead of entangled in "calibration", it is better to focus on scientific use. After all, the ultimate secret to extending battery life is to let it "run slowly" in a comfortable environment.
