iPhone 12 iPhone 12 - Charging Habits

[djr7572]

I'm hearing conflicting information/opinions on fast charging. What I want to know is, is it safe to use Apple's 20-W USB-C Power Adapter to charge my iPhone 12 on a regular basis. Some information I heard, from a reputable YouTuber, is that you shouldn't use fast charging on a regular basis, but once in a while because it's hard on the lithium ion battery (??). It seemed to be suggested that a regular/non fast charger should be used as the norm and the 20-W only when you really need a fast charge.

This doesn't sound right. Didn't Apple literally PROVIDE a fast charging brick with the iPhone 11 Pro/Max last year? Why would they do that unless the their intention was that it be used as the norm?

This particular YouTuber also suggested that using wireless charging methods should be avoided as the norm as well (in the interest of overall long term battery health). Also, to try and remain between 50~80% as often as possible ....

All of this sounds a bit extreme to me ...

 

[andyw715]

My XS Max has always used the fastest charging possible and/or fast wireless. After 2 years iOS says there is 93% battery capacity/life left.

Also I leave it on the wireless charger all day at work/night

The phone knows how to regulate it's charge.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I usually charge my phone at the end of the evening just before bed.

 

[djr7572]

My XS Max has always used the fastest charging possible and/or fast wireless. After 2 years iOS says there is 93% battery capacity/life left.

Also I leave it on the wireless charger all day at work/night

The phone knows how to regulate it's charge.

Good info - thank you 👍

 

[ericwn]

My 8+ is now over three years old. I used all kinds of chargers with it. The Lightning port broke more than a year ago now and it’s been charging wirelessly since then.
Maximum battery capacity is 87% right now- no care applied - over three years in.

 

[macher]

I'm hearing conflicting information/opinions on fast charging. What I want to know is, is it safe to use Apple's 20-W USB-C Power Adapter to charge my iPhone 12 on a regular basis. Some information I heard, from a reputable YouTuber, is that you shouldn't use fast charging on a regular basis, but once in a while because it's hard on the lithium ion battery (??). It seemed to be suggested that a regular/non fast charger should be used as the norm and the 20-W only when you really need a fast charge.

This doesn't sound right. Didn't Apple literally PROVIDE a fast charging brick with the iPhone 11 Pro/Max last year? Why would they do that unless the their intention was that it be used as the norm?

This particular YouTuber also suggested that using wireless charging methods should be avoided as the norm as well (in the interest of overall long term battery health). Also, to try and remain between 50~80% as often as possible ....

All of this sounds a bit extreme to me ...

The Apple 20w and USB C knows how to regulate charging. It’s safe to use this combo as your only charging solution as per Apple.

That’s why they include a USB C cable.

 

[now i see it]

If the back of the phone (aka the battery) doesn't get hot when charging with a certain charger, then the battery is not getting stressed.
If it feels hot when charging (not just warm) switching to a lower powered charger will be easier on it

 

[djr7572]

The Apple 20w and USB C knows how to regulate charging. It’s safe to use this combo as your only charging solution as per Apple.

That’s why they include a USB C cable.

That's what I thought, too. Thanks!

 

[adamhenry]

The Apple 20w and USB C knows how to regulate charging. It’s safe to use this combo as your only charging solution as per Apple.

That’s why they include a USB C cable.

I was under the assumption that the power adapter was just a dumb power supply and the usb-c interface and cable was just a dumb wire to connect the power to the intelligent charger in the phones. Please provide a link so I can read more about the smart power adapter you are speaking of.

 

[ericwn]

I was under the assumption that the power adapter was just a dumb power supply and the usb-c interface and cable was just a dumb wire to connect the power to the intelligent charger in the phones. Please provide a link so I can read more about the smart power adapter you are speaking of.

Good point. I’m under the impression that charging is handled mostly by the device which seems to take just the amount of charge that it wants to at this time.
iPhones also have this optimised battery charging feature in Settings / Battery Health that works with and without USB-C stuff.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I was under the assumption that the power adapter was just a dumb power supply and the usb-c interface and cable was just a dumb wire to connect the power to the intelligent charger in the phones. Please provide a link so I can read more about the smart power adapter you are speaking of.

There is nothing special about the brick and cable. As you noted, all charging regulation is done via software.

 

[macher]

I was under the assumption that the power adapter was just a dumb power supply and the usb-c interface and cable was just a dumb wire to connect the power to the intelligent charger in the phones. Please provide a link so I can read more about the smart power adapter you are speaking of.

You could be right but that wouldn’t change if it’s the software that ‘optimizes’ charging using USB C Apple 20w charger and that it’s ok to use that combo as your only charging.

 

[adamhenry]

You could be right but that wouldn’t change if it’s the software that ‘optimizes’ charging using USB C Apple 20w charger and that it’s ok to use that combo as your only charging.

It's not a charger, it is a power supply. That's OK though, people mistakenly call it a charger all the time. If it was 1000W it wouldn't matter because the charger in the phone takes care of the battery.

 

[macher]

If the back of the phone (aka the battery) doesn't get hot when charging with a certain charger, then the battery is not getting stressed.
If it feels hot when charging (not just warm) switching to a lower powered charger will be easier on it

Charging with the USB-C 20w Apple combo does get your phone warm. Apple says this is OK. Doesn’t stay warm for the remainder of the charging. Basically what one tech told me the USB-C 20w combo is not fast charging it’s charging that happens to charge fast for a certain period then it trickles down. It’s definitely recommend to use this combo as your only regular charging. That’s why they included a USB-C cable.

I love this charging solution. My charging habit has been...

When I go to bed I’m usually at around 35-45% battery. I don’t charge overnight. When I wake up battery hardly moved.

When I wake up play with phone for a bit. Then when I’m ready to take a shower and make my lunch for work I charge USB-C 20w Apple. The time I’m done my shower and making lunch the battery is at least 95%. Take off charger play with phone for a bit while drinking coffee then leave for work at close to 95-100% depending. I’m on WiFi when I’m home.

Now before anyone comments I have the type of job that I have LOTS of downtime and I stream a lot and other apps that are taxing on the battery. Plus I’m not on WiFi most of the working day, mostly on cellular data. I punch in at 5:30am and at around 12:30pm I’m around 30-40% battery. At around 12:30pm charge using USB-C 20w while I’m breaking down and bs’ing with my co-workers then when I’m ready to leave work and go home take off charger and I’m usually at 95-100% at 1:30pm.

When I get home and stay home I’m 100% WiFi and using the phone heavy I’m usually at 35-45% and don’t charge overnight because it doesn’t move then start over again.

As you can see I charge my phone 2x a day. Yea I’m probably use my phone heavy than most. Plus the combo of not being on WiFi at work and taxing apps.

Looks like I can get 6-7 hours of somewhat heavy usage on cellular data which isn’t bad. To me that’s the real test of battery life what’s battery like when not on WiFi.

 

[Prof.]

I think the biggest mistake people make when charging their phone is using it WHILE it is charing.

Can you use your phone while charing? Absolutely. Should you? Eh prob not.

Why? Heat is the biggest enemy of Lithium Ion batteries. Charging and using the phone at the same time increases the internal temperature of the iPhone, and also the battery, which degrades the battery even quicker.

Best practice is to leave your phone alone while it is charging; some might even suggest to unplug your phone at 90%.

Personally, I charge my iPhone using my iMac via the Apple USB-C to Lightning OR the new MagSafe charger. While I sleep my phone loses 3-7% and I get home from a 14 hour day with around 70% left.

 

[RRC]

5W charger over night. Never had a single issue and after a year all my iPhones have still had 100% battery health.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

5W charger over night. Never had a single issue and after a year all my iPhones have still had 100% battery health.

So ur saying 5W is the key! Since it charges slow???

 

[ericwn]

So ur saying 5W is the key! Since it charges slow???

It’s a very slow charge but that’s what iPhones used for a decade with no issues.

 

[ericwn]

I think the biggest mistake people make when charging their phone is using it WHILE it is charing.

Can you use your phone while charing? Absolutely. Should you? Eh prob not.

Why? Heat is the biggest enemy of Lithium Ion batteries. Charging and using the phone at the same time increases the internal temperature of the iPhone, and also the battery, which degrades the battery even quicker.

Best practice is to leave your phone alone while it is charging; some might even suggest to unplug your phone at 90%.

Personally, I charge my iPhone using my iMac via the Apple USB-C to Lightning OR the new MagSafe charger. While I sleep my phone loses 3-7% and I get home from a 14 hour day with around 70% left.

I’m sure heat is bad for electronics of any sort but iPhones can also adjust charge and display brightness while in use so I doubt we can so universally dismiss using and simultaneously charging. If the effects were that bad across the board Apple would advise its users not to use the device while charging.

 

[Apple_Robert]

So ur saying 5W is the key! Since it charges slow???

5w charging (on a regular basis) will help the battery have a longer life, versus fast charging, which will kill it quicker. You also don’t want to run the battery dead each time you use your phone.

 

[adamhenry]

5W charger over night. Never had a single issue and after a year all my iPhones have still had 100% battery health.

I agree with the slow charge being good for the batteries. I charged my X every night on a 7.5W Anker wireless charger and when I traded it in last month it's battery was still 100% capacity.

 

[djr7572]

I think the biggest mistake people make when charging their phone is using it WHILE it is charing.

Can you use your phone while charing? Absolutely. Should you? Eh prob not.

Why? Heat is the biggest enemy of Lithium Ion batteries. Charging and using the phone at the same time increases the internal temperature of the iPhone, and also the battery, which degrades the battery even quicker.

Best practice is to leave your phone alone while it is charging; some might even suggest to unplug your phone at 90%.

Personally, I charge my iPhone using my iMac via the Apple USB-C to Lightning OR the new MagSafe charger. While I sleep my phone loses 3-7% and I get home from a 14 hour day with around 70% left.

Excellent point! I immediately stopped doing this when I learned about it the first time. Just leave it alone while it charges!