Understanding Tech Jargon: Smartphone Batteries Edition

Smartphones have become an integral part of our lives, and their batteries play a crucial role in their functionality. In our second edition of ‘Understanding Tech Jargon,’ we try to demystify the technical jargon associated with smartphone batteries, their types, charging methods, and more.

Battery capacity

Battery capacity is the amount of energy that a battery can store. It is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh). The higher the mAh rating, the longer the battery will last on a single charge.

Battery type

There are two main types of smartphone batteries: lithium-ion (Li-ion) and lithium-polymer (Li-po). Li-ion batteries are the most common type of battery used in smartphones today. They are lightweight and have a high energy density, meaning they can store a lot of energy in a small package. Li-po batteries are similar to Li-ion batteries, but they are more flexible and less likely to catch fire.

Battery life

Battery life is the amount of time that a smartphone battery will last on a single charge. It is affected by a number of factors, including battery capacity, screen brightness, processor usage, and app usage.

Battery cycles

A battery cycle is the process of charging and discharging a battery from 100% to 0% and back to 100%. Over time, battery cycles will degrade the battery and reduce its capacity.

Battery health

Battery health is a measure of how well a battery is performing. It is affected by a number of factors, including battery cycles, battery temperature, and battery charging habits.

Types of Smartphone Batteries

There are several types of batteries used in smartphones:

Lithium Polymer (Li-Po): These are the most advanced batteries available in the market. They are made up of plastic instead of metal, which makes them usable on a smartphone of any type.
Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion): These batteries are advanced and allow for a high charge capacity based on the size and weight of the battery.
Nickel Cadmium (NiCd): These batteries suffer from memory effects, which can result in reducing the capacity of the battery and its lifespan.
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH): These batteries are an upgrade to the Nickel Cadmium batteries and offer 30 to 40 percent more battery juice than the others.

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2. Types of Smartphone Charging

There are several types of smartphone charging

USB-Type A Charger: It’s most generally used with computers or power outlets, today, most smartphones come with a USB-Type C to USB-Type A charger with the latter plugging into the brick.
Micro-USB Charger: One of the most popular types of charging cords, found on older and budget mobile devices.
USB-Type C Charger: The latest and most versatile type of USB charger that is now the best and is standard in all smartphones.

3. Types of Smartphone Fast Charging

Fast charging is a feature that most smartphones offer, regardless of whether they are premium models or affordable ones. Here are some of the most common fast-charging standards:

USB Power Delivery (USB PD): The most common USB-C charging standard for phones.
Qualcomm Quick Charge: A proprietary charging protocol that allows for fast charging of certain devices.
Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging: Samsung’s proprietary fast charging technology.
Apple Fast Charge: Apple’s version of fast charging which peaks at below 30W on iPhones.
Motorola TurboPower: Motorola’s fast charging technology.
MediaTek Pump Express: A fast charging solution for MediaTek devices.
OnePlus Dash/Warp Charge, Oppo VOOC/Super VOOC: These are proprietary fast-charging technologies developed by OnePlus and Oppo.
Huawei SuperCharge and SuperCharge 2.0: Huawei’s fast charging technology.