In this article, we will discuss whether lithium batteries in mobile devices consume more power at lower temperatures and tips for using your phone in cold conditions.
To arrive at an answer, let’s explore an experiment involving three mobile devices from different brands. These phones will be charged to 100%, then unplugged and left with the screen on for two continuous hours. All three phones will run the same applications to ensure similar power consumption, with the indoor temperature maintained at 21°C. After 20 minutes, you may find that the battery of all phones remains at 100%.
Experiment 2: Battery Outdoors
Now, in a separate experiment, we will have three phones from different brands, similar to the previous experiment; these devices will also be charged to 100%, then unplugged and left on for two hours while running the same application. However, this time, the phones will be placed outdoors near snow, where the temperature will be 3°C. After 20 minutes, you might see some differences in battery status.
Just conducting these two experiments will show you that mobile device batteries consume energy at different rates depending on the surrounding temperature. After 20 minutes, the second experiment will show the batteries at around 97 or 95%.
Regular Batteries in Low Temperatures
Nowadays, most mobile devices use Lithium-ion Polymer batteries (LiPo batteries). When temperatures drop in winter, the chemical reactions of the electrolytes slow down, resulting in less current and reduced battery energy.
In more extreme situations, phones will automatically turn off. The reduction in power or automatic shutdown are protective measures. The shutdown varies by manufacturer: some phones will turn off at 0% while others will automatically shut down when the temperature drops too low.
Tips for Using Your Phone in Cold Temperatures
When outdoors, you can take some simple actions to extend your battery life without needing to recharge.
First, try to avoid exposing your phone to low temperatures. Keep your phone in your pocket or in your bag to protect the device from the cold. If you receive a call, use your headphones to answer instead of taking your phone out.
If your phone shuts down outside, wait until you move to a warmer place before restarting the phone. Alternatively, consider putting a protective case around the phone.