Mobile telephones are built for today's always-on-the-go world, and your cell phone battery affects its performance almost as much as its audio components do. While manufacturers often promise their cell phone batteries will provide an extended charge life and last for years, the reality is that many consumers end up having to replace their battery sooner rather than later.
Shopping for a Cell Phone Battery
There are three main types of batteries used to charge cell phones: lithium-ion, nickel-metal hydride and nickel-cadmium. The type you'll need depends on what your manufacturer has specified for your model of cell phone, so in addition to knowing whether you need a Motorola cell phone battery, Nokia cell phone battery or Samsung cell phone battery, you'll also need to find out which specific type is indicated for use with your handset.
Lithium-ion batteries represent the latest in cell phone battery technology. They are not beset by the so-called "memory effect" of most batteries, which causes them to slowly lose charge capacity over time. However, while they are designed to provide a longer charge life and better overall performance than the other battery types, they can be damaged by overcharging. To prevent this, you can get cell phone chargers that automatically sense when the battery is back to full power and turn off at that point.
Batteries that run on nickel-metal hydride technologies can be optimized by using charger/conditioner technologies. Because they are susceptible to the "memory effect," it is important—especially for the first few charges—to condition them properly. It's also recommended that you let them discharge fully before charging them again.
Nickel-cadmium batteries have been around as long as cell phones have—they were the first industry standard to be used. Today, however, they are the least effective type of battery. In fact, they have been so far surpassed by lithium-ion and nickel-metal hydride technologies that they are virtually obsolete.
Cell Phone Battery Care Tips
Regardless of the type of cell phone battery you use, it is important to properly condition it, meaning that for the first three charge cycles, you should discharge the battery completely before recharging it, and recharge it completely before ending the charge cycle.
You should also avoid exposing the battery to extremes of heat and cold. Always keep both your battery and its contact terminals free of debris, and avoid leaving your battery or charger unused for long periods of time.