Other What constitutes a full charging circle?

[Barbareren]

Hey guys 👋

This is probably a stupid question for many of you, but it’s something I’ve been wondering about when reading that these lithium batteries have a limited amount of charging circles before the battery deteriorates significantly. So, my question is: What actually constitutes such a charging circle? Is it from 0-100? Does charging the phone from 30% to 80% fit into to the definition of a full charging circle?

Cheers

 

[DevinNj]

I've always understood it to be 0-100%

 

[joeblow7777]

The equivalent of 0-100% more or less. Just use and charge your phone however you want. Multiple small charge sessions count as the same as a single big one.

In any case, it will likely be years before there’s noticeable battery wear, so just enjoy your device and try not to worry about it.

 

[Barbareren]

Multiple small charge sessions count as the same as a single big one.

In any case, it will likely be years before there’s noticeable battery wear, so just enjoy your device and try not to worry about it.

Do you have and idea how many small charging circles would count as much as one big one from 1-100% (approximately)?

Sure, I don’t worry about battery at all, I’m merely curious 🙂

 

[DevinNj]

Does one small charging circle count the same as one from 1-100%? That’s what I’m really curious about. Maybe I’m not explaining myself that well...

Sure, I don’t worry about battery at all, I’m merely curious 🙂

No it doesn't, say you are at 50% and charge it to full, that's 1/2 a cycle, hope that helps

 

[Barbareren]

No it doesn't, say you are at 50% and charge it to full, that's 1/2 a cycle, hope that helps

Thank you! That makes perfect logical sense 👍

 

[DevinNj]

Welcome, sorry I didn't clarify my reply further, at work and busy, lol

 

[LFC2020]

Don’t let the battery reach 0%, use the phone, don’t stress about the battery, you’ll be fine.

 

[casperes1996]

Do you have and idea how many small charging circles would count as much as one big one from 1-100% (approximately)?

Sure, I don’t worry about battery at all, I’m merely curious 🙂

Apple has a support document detailing this with graphs and everything. You can look it up if you want. But put simply:

If I let my phone drop to 75% and recharge it to 100% 4 times then that's one complete charge cycle

 

[Barbareren]

If I let my phone drop to 75% and recharge it to 100% 4 times then that's one complete charge cycle

Yes, I got it now, hehe. It’s logical (basic math). Thanks mate 👍

 

[Barbareren]

Don’t let the battery reach 0%, use the phone, don’t stress about the battery, you’ll be fine.

I never do. I know that will harm the battery 👍

 

[joeblow7777]

Do you have and idea how many small charging circles would count as much as one big one from 1-100% (approximately)?

Sure, I don’t worry about battery at all, I’m merely curious 🙂

As others have mentioned, it's whatever adds up to 100%. For example, four 25% charges would equal 1 full charge cycle.

 

[MacCheetah3]

Scroll to the bottom for a graph representation.

Batteries - Why Lithium-ion?

Learn why Apple rechargeable lithium-based technology provides the best performance for your iPhone, iPad, iPod, and MacBook.

www.apple.com

The following document states the designed/expected number of full charges a battery can go through before dropping below 80% of full capacity/“health” for each device type/family

Batteries - Service and Recycling

Learn about battery service and recycling for Apple devices. All rechargeable batteries need to be serviced eventually.

www.apple.com

Lastly...

Batteries - Maximizing Performance

Maximize the life and lifespan of the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in your MacBook, iPod, iPhone, and iPad.

www.apple.com

 

[Barbareren]

Thanks man. I already know the tricks on how to keep these batteries healthy and lasting as long as possible 👍 I was just curious about the definition of a 'full charging circle' and now I’ve got the answer. Thanks to everyone who has replied 🙂

 

[now i see it]

The term is also known as a load cycle but it isn't an accurate way (at all) to determine the ultimate life span a battery will get.
Example:
Battery 1 is always charged to only 75% and discharged to 25%. Doing this twice will create one load cycle.

Battery 2 is always charged to 100% and discharged to 50%. Doing this twice will also create one load cycle.

But Battery 1 will outlive Battery 2 by a factor of at least 4 times due to the higher stress battery 1 experiences when charging at higher voltages.

 

[MacCheetah3]

I got y’u. Was just linking the official docs — which @casperes1996 mentioned. Also, even though they could be equal, it’s about how much you use, not how much you charge.

From the first link...

You complete one charge cycle when you’ve used (discharged) an amount that equals 100% of your battery’s capacity — but not necessarily all from one charge. For instance, you might use 75% of your battery’s capacity one day, then recharge it fully overnight. If you use 25% the next day, you will have discharged a total of 100%, and the two days will add up to one charge cycle. It could take several days to complete a cycle.

 

[MacCheetah3]

The term is also known as a load cycle but it isn't an accurate way (at all) to determine the ultimate life span a battery will get.
Example:
Battery 1 is always charged to only 75% and discharged to 25%. Doing this twice will create one load cycle.

Battery 2 is always charged to 100% and discharged to 50%. Doing this twice will also create one load cycle.

But Battery 1 will outlive Battery 2 by a factor of at least 4 times due to the higher stress battery 1 experiences when charging at higher voltages.

Not entirely true. Your explanation would be accurate if the cells stay at those loads for a significant amount of time. For example, if you frequently charge from 50 to 100% and disconnect the device from the charger within a couple of hours (causing it to begin using/discharging the battery again), that very temporary stress will be unnoticeable in terms of degradation rate. The same goes for discharging to 0%(as reported by your device) but, of course, recharging within a couple of hours. That is, by design, when the device states 0%, its not actually fully depleted, there’s probably about 5% remaining.

Basically, have the cells moving freqyently enough and keep the battery within a recommended ambient temperature range, there’s no need to worry about accelerated degradation.

Ultimately, don’t expose batteries to extremes (or only in very short periods) and just enjoy your devices. 🙂

 

[Barbareren]

The term is also known as a load cycle but it isn't an accurate way (at all) to determine the ultimate life span a battery will get.
Example:
Battery 1 is always charged to only 75% and discharged to 25%. Doing this twice will create one load cycle.

Battery 2 is always charged to 100% and discharged to 50%. Doing this twice will also create one load cycle.

But Battery 1 will outlive Battery 2 by a factor of at least 4 times due to the higher stress battery 1 experiences when charging at higher voltages.

That’s very interesting. I knew letting the battery drain too low was very unhealthy for the battery, but I didn’t know charging it to 100% would affect it as much as you say...

 

[MisterMillz]

Hey guys 👋

This is probably a stupid question for many of you, but it’s something I’ve been wondering about when reading that these lithium batteries have a limited amount of charging circles before the battery deteriorates significantly. So, my question is: What actually constitutes such a charging circle? Is it from 0-100? Does charging the phone from 30% to 80% fit into to the definition of a full charging circle?

Cheers

A cycle is a 100% charge. In your case, 30-80 would be a 50% charge. So, if you did that twice, you would achieve a single cycle. It used to be that apple batteries were rated for 500 cycles +/- before reaching the 80% capacity mark at which point you should replace that battery.