The truth about charging gadgets: debunking 10 popular myths

Myth №1. A new phone must be fully discharged and charged three times

Reality: this rule did exist, but it applied to old nickel-cadmium batteries that were used 15-20 years ago. They had a so-called «memory effect»: if the battery wasn’t completely discharged before charging, it «remembered» the incomplete cycle and gradually lost its capacity.

Modern smartphones are equipped with lithium-ion (Li-Ion) or lithium-polymer (Li-Po) batteries, which work on a different principle. Moreover, deep discharge is even harmful to them. Imagine that the battery is your energy in the morning: it is better to keep it at 30-80% than to exhaust yourself completely and then try to «recharge» with coffee.

What to do: just take your new phone out of the box and charge it as you see fit, without any «rituals».

Myth №2. Leaving your phone charging overnight is dangerous.

Reality: this is a half-truth that has long been outdated. In the past, phones didn’t have smart charging management systems, and overcharging could damage the battery. But modern gadgets are equipped with special controllers that automatically stop the flow of current when the battery reaches 100%.

But there is one caveat: staying at 100% charge for a long time can actually slightly reduce the battery's lifespan in the long run. That's why some manufacturers (such as Apple and Samsung) have added an «Optimised charging» feature that pauses the charging process at 80% and brings it to 100% just before your usual wake-up time.

What to do: feel free to charge your device overnight, but it's better to enable optimised charging in the settings if your device supports it.

Myth №3. Constantly charging your laptop from the wall is harmful to the battery.

Reality: this is the most common myth among laptop users. Many believe that if a laptop is constantly plugged in, the battery will swell or degrade quickly. But modern laptops are smarter than people think.

When a laptop reaches 100% charge, it automatically switches to AC power, bypassing the battery. This is like a bypass for electricity — the current goes directly to the components without straining the battery. At this point, the battery simply rests.

Furthermore, many modern laptops (Dell, Lenovo, HP, ASUS, Apple) have a special optimized charging mode that limits the maximum charge to 80% when constantly plugged in. This extends the life of the battery.

If you won't be using your laptop for a week or longer, it's best to leave the battery at 40-60% and unplug it. Leaving it at 100% or 0% for long periods can actually damage the battery.

• High temperatures (so don't block the vents or place the laptop on soft surfaces).
• Repeated deep discharge-charge cycles.
• Running in high-performance mode with maximum heat.

What to do: if you work on your laptop at home or in the office, feel free to keep it plugged in at all times. Enable battery saving mode in the settings, if available. Most importantly, monitor the temperature and don't block ventilation. And if you take your laptop on the road, use the battery without letting it drain completely.

Myth №4. Fast charging kills your battery

Reality: fast charging does generate more heat, but that doesn't mean it «kills» your battery. Modern smartphones have multi-stage protection systems: they regulate the charging speed depending on the battery temperature, its current charge level, and even whether you're using the phone while it's charging.

However, if you regularly charge your smartphone to 100% with fast charging and actively use it (gaming, watching videos), overheating can actually reduce the battery's lifespan. Ideally, fast charge your phone to 80% and then switch to regular charging.

What to do: use fast charging when you urgently need to give your phone a boost, but for daily overnight charging, it's better to use a standard charger with a lower wattage.

Myth №5. Frequent short trickle charges are harmful to the battery

Reality: this is the complete opposite of the truth. Lithium-ion batteries thrive on frequent short trickle charges and hate deep discharges. The myth about the need for full discharge-charge cycles dates back to the days of old nickel-cadmium batteries, which actually had a «memory effect». But modern lithium-ion batteries work differently: each full cycle (from 0% to 100%) gradually wears out the battery.

Scientific fact: battery manufacturers measure battery life in «charge cycles». One cycle = from 0% to 100%. But if you charge from 50% to 80%, that's only 0.3 cycles. So, by performing short trickle charges, you're actually extending the battery's life.

The optimal charge range is 20-80%: this is where the battery is happiest. But don’t panic if your phone is charged to 90% or discharged to 15%.

• Constant deep discharges down to 0-5%.
• Long-term maintenance at 100% (although modern phones take this into account).
• High temperatures during charging.

What to do: don't hesitate to charge your phone several times a day. Charged it from 40% to 70% during lunch? Great! Plugged it in for 20 minutes in the car? Your battery will thank you! It's much better than waiting until it reaches 5% and then spending an hour charging it back to 100%.

Myth №6. Wireless charging is completely safe and effective

Reality: this is half-true. On the one hand, wireless charging is not harmful to health — its electromagnetic radiation is so weak that it's not even comparable to the radiation emitted by the phone itself during a call. All certified wireless chargers meet international safety standards.

But there's an important nuance: wireless charging generates more heat than wired charging. Furthermore, wireless charging is slower and less energy efficient — some energy is simply «lost» during transmission through the air.

What to do: use wireless charging for convenience (for example, at your desk), but for regular overnight charging, it's better to use a regular cable — it's faster and puts less strain on the battery.

Myth №7. Counterfeit chargers are equally dangerous

Reality: there are two categories to consider. Cheap, uncertified counterfeits are downright dangerous. They may lack the necessary protection against overvoltage, overheating, or short circuits. It's like buying cheap bicycle helmets — they technically have it, but will they protect you?

At the same time, high-quality third-party chargers from reputable brands (Anker, Belkin, Baseus, and others) are often just as good as the originals, and sometimes even better. The main thing is to make sure they have the necessary certifications (CE, FCC, RoHS) and support the required charging standards (USB-PD, Quick Charge, etc.).

What to do: buy chargers from reputable manufacturers and avoid cheap, no-name options from dubious online stores — this way, charging with a non-original power supply won't harm your device.

Myth №8. You can charge your phone with any USB cable

Reality: technically yes, but there are pitfalls. Not all USB cables are created equal. Some cheap cables have thin wires inside that can't transfer enough power for fast charging.

Furthermore, if the cable is damaged (kinked, cracked), it can’t only charge slowly but also be dangerous, risking a short circuit.

What to do: use high-quality cables that support the required power (for example, fast charging requires a cable that supports the appropriate standard). If the cable starts to look worn, replace it — don't skimp.

Myth №9: You can't use your phone while it's charging

Reality: this is one of the most persistent myths, and it's completely unfounded. Using your phone while it's charging isn't dangerous for you or your device. Modern smartphones have multi-stage protection against overheating, short circuits, and overvoltage.

Even while charging, your phone is still working — it receives notifications, updates apps in the background, and maintains a Wi-Fi connection. There's a difference in usage between «just sitting there» and «actively using it», but it's not as significant as many people think.

Exception: if you're playing very resource-intensive games while fast charging, your phone may actually overheat. In this case, your mobile device will slow down or even pause charging until it cools down.

What to do: feel free to use your phone while it's charging — read, browse social media, watch videos. Just remember that charging will take longer. If you feel your phone is getting too hot, take a break.

Myth №10. You can charge your phone at any temperature

Reality: this is a dangerous mistake that can seriously damage your battery. Lithium-ion batteries are very sensitive to temperature — both high and low.

At temperatures below +10°C, chemical processes inside the battery slow down, and charging can cause irreversible damage: it can lead to metal deposits on the anodes, reducing capacity, and even short circuits inside the battery.

On the other hand, charging at temperatures above +35-40°C is also dangerous. High temperatures accelerate battery degradation and can cause it to swell or even ignite in extreme cases.

Many modern smartphones have built-in protection: they simply refuse to charge if the battery temperature exceeds safe limits (usually between 0°C and +45°C). If you see a temperature warning, don't ignore it.

• When you bring your phone in from the cold, give it 15-30 minutes to warm up to room temperature before connecting the charger.
• Don't leave your phone charging in the sun, near a radiator, or in a hot car in the summer.
• The optimal charging temperature is 15-25°C.
• If your phone becomes hot while charging (not warm, just hot), unplug it and let it cool. This could indicate a problem with the battery or charger.

Important: if you frequently use your phone in cold weather, it's best to carry it in an inside pocket, close to your body, to keep it warm. Charge your device only indoors at a normal temperature.

What definitely affects battery drain is the quality of your Internet connection. When your phone, tablet, or laptop struggles to find a weak Wi-Fi signal or constantly switches between mobile data and Wi-Fi, it uses a ton of energy.

That's why Maxnet subscribers don't have to worry: a stable connection with speeds up to 1 Gbps means your devices won't waste energy searching for a signal. You'll not only download content faster, but also have fewer trips to the charger.