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So I use my phone as SatNav on my motorbike, so the screen is on permanently. When it gets to 100% battery charge, and the screen is on and SatNav doing its job, is it bad for the battery to leave it still plugged in or should I allow the battery to run down a bit?
And the same for my MacAir, if using it, better to leave running on mains despite it being fully charged ... or not?
Many thanks!
My understanding is that most, if not all modern phones, are designed to prevent over-charging.
And to do so, they actually tell a few fibs. So, when it says it's charging at 100%, it will actually have stopped, allowing the battery to drain, to say 95% before resuming. All the while telling you it's charging at 100%.
No idea if it makes any difference whether the screen is on. But my last phone I pretty much left plugged in all day (for 4 or 5 years) unless I was on the move, with no noticeable loss in battery performance.
20-80% is the sweet spot for battery longevity. Stuffing electrons into the battery once it is over 80% will reduce its lifespan, as will trying to extract electrons from it once it's below 20%.
So, on the bike, I'd let it run down unless you're going to need it at 100% when you reach your destination.
iPhones will now learn your charging pattern and not charge beyond 80% overnight until you need it. If you normally get up at 7am, it will charge to 80% until 6am then do the final 20%.