If you’re like most of us, you’re constantly on the move – whether staying connected with friends and family, managing tasks or enjoying hobbies. But one thing that can quickly become frustrating is your device’s battery life.

Whether it’s your phone, tablet, notebook, wireless earbuds, does it feel like you’re always reaching for a charger? Worse still, have you noticed that over time, you seem to get less and less use from a full charge before your device needs topping up?

While it might seem like just another part of using electronics, two things are happening:

1. You’re using more battery power.
2. Your battery is losing its capacity.

Let’s dive into why this happens and what you can do about it.

Why your battery doesn’t last forever

Batteries age over time, just like people. For lithium-ion batteries, which power most of your devices, after about 500 charge cycles, your battery retains only 80 per cent of its original capacity and cannot be charged beyond that – and will dwindle further with additional use.

Take the iPhone 12 Pro, for example. Its battery starts with a capacity of 2,815 milliampere-hours (mAh). After 500 charge cycles, if its health drops to 80 per cent, the new maximum capacity is around 2252 mAh. So, when you charged your phone and it reads 100 per cent, you’re actually only getting 2252 mAh of usable power. Similarly, if you used to get 10 hours of use per day, you’ll now get only eight under same use.

What’s draining your battery?

Several factors contribute to battery drain. Newer apps require more power, constant updates, and background processes such as notifications, GPS, messaging and other social media apps can drain power without you realizing it. Screen brightness also plays a huge role – higher brightness means more power usage. Occasionally, software bugs can cause unnecessary power drain as well.

Environmental factors that affect battery life

Just like in a car, extreme temperatures affect your device’s battery. Cold weather forces the battery to work harder, while excessive heat accelerates its wear and tear – similar to food spoiling faster in hot weather. Keeping your device in a moderate temperature range is a key to prolonging battery life.

Additionally, knock-offs and cheap third-party chargers and cables can negatively impact charging speed and even damage the battery over time. Low-quality materials and poor voltage regulation can cause overheating or short-circuiting, degrading your battery’s health, damaging your device or even what it’s plugged into – such as your car’s electrical system. A family member recently experienced this firsthand. It’s not worth risking a $1,000 device or a $2,000 automotive repair bill to save a few bucks.

Smart charging habits: The key to longevity

One simple way to extend battery life is to keep it charged between 20 and 80 per cent. According to Battery University, lithium-ion batteries last longest when their charge stays within this range. Avoid regularly draining it to zero per cent or keeping it at 100 per cent for extended periods.

Slow charging vs. fast charging

While fast charging is convenient, slow charging is better for long-term battery health. Slow charging generates less heat, reducing stress on the battery. Many devices now have smart charging features to help with this.

Apple’s Optimized Battery Charging slows charging at 80 per cent and finishes it just before you wake up or need to use your device. Samsung offers a Battery Protection Mode that limits charging to 85 per cent to reduce battery wear, while Adaptive Fast Charging adjusts power delivery for efficient and safe charging. Similarly, Microsoft’s Battery Conservation Mode limits charging to 80 per cent when plugged in for long periods. Check your device’s manual to see if it supports these features.

Remember: It’s not just phones and laptops

When we think about battery health, we often focus on smartphones and laptops. But Bluetooth headphones, earbuds and speakers also rely on rechargeable batteries. Unfortunately, when these batteries degrade or fail, many are embedded in the device or accessory and often impossible to replace, rendering them useless. This makes it even more important to follow smart charging habits across all your devices.

Introducing Leo: The battery life extender

There’s a new gadget on the market that helps extend battery life. Leo, developed by Netherlands-based Liion Power BV, is a plug-and-play device designed to prolong the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries in USB-charged devices up to 100 watts.

Leo plugs between your charger and device, intelligently analyzing the battery and automatically setting an optimal charge limit, regulating charging speeds, and scheduling breaks to maintain battery health. If you need fast charging, a button switches Leo into Ghost mode to charge up to 100 per cent.

Recognized with the CES 2025 Innovation Award in the Sustainability and Energy/Power category, Leo is an effective solution for enhancing battery longevity while promoting eco-friendly charging practices.

Bottom line: Small changes, big results

We rely on our devices daily, so keeping them charged efficiently is crucial. By following simple charging habits – keeping charge between 20 and 80 per cent, avoiding extreme temperatures, and opting for slow charging – you can extend your battery’s life and reduce frustration. Products such as Leo offer additional ways to enhance longevity while maintaining eco-friendly practices.

Remember, batteries are an essential part of our modern tech, but with a little extra care, they can serve us well for much longer.

It also keeps them out of the landfill.

According to the International Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Forum, a whopping 5.3 billion phones were discarded in 2022. Shockingly, about one-third of smartphones are replaced due to aging batteries.

Since for many, gadgets are lifelines, it’s worth thinking about battery health the same way you think about your own well-being.