Congratulations on getting a new mobile phone or other electronic device, but after unboxing, you may encounter a practical problem: how should you charge it for the first time? You may have heard that you must charge it for 12 hours continuously for the first time, or that the battery must be fully discharged before charging. These suggestions are varied and confusing.
In fact, most of them are for the outdated nickel-cadmium (NiCd) or nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. For the modern lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries that we commonly use now, the requirements for the first charge are very different.
The goal of this article is to provide a clear, simple, current technology guide for charging a lithium-ion battery for the first time, ensuring that you get it right from the start and have peace of mind when using your new device.
The common charging advice is that a new battery must be fully charged for 8-12 hours or even longer for the first time. Some people also say that in order to activate the battery, it is required to be fully charged for the first time. This statement comes from the past nickel-cadmium (NiCd) and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, mainly due to the memory effect of the previous batteries. But the lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries used in our devices now have no memory effect at all.
When the battery reaches 100%, the current charging circuit will automatically stop or enter trickle mode to prevent the battery from over-discharging. Therefore, for the first charge, you can unplug it when it is fully charged.
You may have heard that draining a battery’s battery from the factory is better for it. This is also a myth about older battery technology, but with lithium-ion batteries, the opposite is true. They don’t like to be deeply discharged. When you get a new device, you can start charging it at 40% or 60% without having to deliberately drain it.
How to charge a lithium-ion battery for the first time
Modern lithium-ion batteries are smart right out of the box and very easy to use. Stick to the charger that came with your device, and if the original charger isn’t available, choose a reputable third-party charger with compatible specifications.
Out of the box, you can always connect it to a charger and start charging, whether the battery is initially at 40% or 60%. No need to wait for the battery to get low or time it to a specific point in time.
For the first charge, it is perfectly fine to charge the battery to 100%, and many manufacturers even recommend doing so. This is not an absolute requirement. If you need to unplug and use the device after the battery is charged to 80% or 90%, that is perfectly fine.
Once fully charged, unplug the charger. There is usually no harm in charging overnight occasionally, but for the first time, there is no need to deliberately connect it for a long time.
Simply put, use the right charger and charge whenever you want. It’s great to charge to 100% for the first time, then unplug it when it’s full. You can also use it while charging. It’s that simple.
Why lithium-ion batteries are different
Today’s lithium-ion batteries have completely eliminated the memory effect, and you can charge them at any charge level without worrying about them forgetting their full potential.
In fact, lithium-ion batteries prefer shallow charging and discharging. We recommend charging and discharging between 20% and 80%, which may be more beneficial to their long-term health. Frequent charging from 0% to 100% is not necessary and may even harm the battery.
Excessive temperature is the number one killer of lithium battery health. Whether it is charging, discharging or storing, try to avoid keeping the device in a high temperature environment for a long time.
In addition, avoid prolonged extreme conditions and stay away from 0% and 100% power states, as this will put pressure on the battery and may accelerate battery aging.
Best practices from day one
Successfully completing your first charge is just the beginning, developing some simple good habits from day one will help maximize its life and maintain good performance.
Stay away from extreme temperatures. Try to avoid charging or using the device for a long time in an overheated environment. Also avoid charging the device in an extremely cold environment.
Try to charge the battery only when it is below 20%. It is not the best practice to frequently let the battery reach the bottom.
In order to pursue the ultimate battery life, it is ideal to keep the power level between 20% and 80%, because it avoids the battery being in a state of near saturation or near exhaustion for a long time.
Always consult the manufacturer's guidelines
While this article provides general initial charging and use recommendations for modern lithium-ion battery technology, we recommend that you consult your device manual for specific charging instructions.
Manufacturers know their products best. Their official guides are the most authoritative and accurate source of information for the specific device you have.
Conclusion
When charging a lithium battery for the first time, insist on using the original charger. After unpacking, charge it whenever you want, without waiting for the battery to run out. It is completely fine to charge it to 100%, and you can unplug it or continue to use it after it is fully charged. In addition, forget the traditional outdated rules.
