It's Not iPhone, It's My Phone

[MacBytes]

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Category: Opinion/Interviews
Link: It's Not iPhone, It's My Phone (http://www.macbytes.com/link.php?sid=20070716235032)
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Posted on MacBytes.com (http://www.macbytes.com)
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[Rojo]

Good review, but... I noticed this:

That said, I've also changed my charging habits. I run the battery done to zero, as I would with an iPod, before recharging it in the hope of extending the battery life. We'll see how the battery performs in six months and if I'm still singing its praises.

Doesn't running down the battery to zero lessen the overall battery life over time? Wouldn't the best thing to do be charging the battery every chance you can? Or have I heard this wrong?

[LimeiBook86]

Or have I heard this wrong?

Apple suggests at least letting the battery go through one charge cycle a month (Letting it drain fully at least once a month). You can find out more information about the iPhone and it's battery, along with some tips on Apple's site here. (http://www.apple.com/batteries/iphone.html) :D

I've always heard it's good to let the battery die every month or so. I believe this helps calibrate it.

[Passante]

Did Hell freeze over? That read like a fair and balanced review of the iPhone on eWeeks Microsoft Watch. I keep waiting for exaggerated negative comments and there were none. Wow, The iPhone must be good.

[yoman]

.....snip... Wow, The iPhone must be good.

It is. : ) . I just got one and love it.

[emptyCup]

Doesn't running down the battery to zero lessen the overall battery life over time? Wouldn't the best thing to do be charging the battery every chance you can? Or have I heard this wrong?

According to Apple (http://www.macworld.com/weblogs/macword/2007/07/iphonebattery/) it does not make a difference. After 400 charges maximum capacity will drop to 80%, but charging an iPhone that is at 75% capacity only counts as 25% of a charge. So there is no reason not to leave it in its dock overnight.

What you probably heard was that rechargeable batteries have a memory, so that if you recharge when it is only 25% drained it will go dead at that point in the future. This is why people wanted to fully drain their batteries before recharging. That was true of older rechargeable batteries but is not true of modern rechargeables.

[kildraik]

But the iPhone's screen can shatter from a bad fall or crack if improperly handled (so don't carry it around in your jeans pocket).

He obviously hasn't done his research.

The screen may shatter if this is done, though... Looky! (http://youtube.com/watch?v=qg1ckCkm8YI)

[uNext]

Overall the iPhone is amazing...i dont miss mms i can email and fortunetly everybody i know have a email capable phone..plus within my circle
all my close friends have tHE iphone now so if we need to send a picture easy we send an email..

Best phone ever period.

[nagromme]

Doesn't running down the battery to zero lessen the overall battery life over time? Wouldn't the best thing to do be charging the battery every chance you can? Or have I heard this wrong?

You are correct, and the author is making a mistake. You should AVOID fully discharging a modern Lithium battery, and instead use the "top of the charge" when possible. He should NOT have changed his charging habits.

See: http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm

The only reason to fully discharge a modern battery if you don't have to is that this calibrates your battery meter to make it more accurate. But that has no effect on the actual battery life you get, only on the visible readout.