Biggest Smartphone Myths Debunked | Did You Believe Them?
In the age of advanced technology, many of our decisions about smartphones are based on widely shared information, whether from friends or the internet, without verifying its accuracy. However, the truth may be entirely different from what’s commonly believed! Some of these misconceptions can lead to incorrect practices that affect your phone’s performance and battery life, while others are simply baseless myths.
 |
| Smartphone Myths You Still Believe | Here’s the Truth |
It's time to set the record straight and uncover the scientific facts behind these beliefs so you can make the most of your smartphone without falling for widespread myths. These misconceptions cover a wide range of topics, from battery life and camera quality to charging habits. But how many of them are true?
Do you think closing background apps helps improve battery performance? Or that a higher megapixel count means a better camera? And what about charging your phone to 100%? Is it necessary or harmful? Millions of people believe these common misconceptions about smartphones. Today, we will uncover the truth behind the top five smartphone myths to help you use your device more wisely.
Myth 1: You Must Close Background Apps to Improve Battery Life
Many users believe that constantly closing background apps helps improve phone performance and reduce battery consumption. Some even make it a habit to close every app after using it, thinking they are preventing the device’s resources from being drained.
The truth is quite the opposite. Modern operating systems like Android and iOS have advanced memory and battery management systems. When you open an app and then exit it, it doesn’t shut down completely; instead, it is frozen in the RAM, remaining ready for use without needing to be reloaded from scratch.
On the contrary, manually closing apps forces the phone to reload them from the beginning when they are reopened, which consumes more power and processing resources compared to simply leaving them in the background.
How Do Background App Management Systems Work?
- When an app is in the background, it remains in a frozen state and does not consume significant power unless there is an activity that requires processing, such as downloading data or updating location.
- When additional resources are needed, the system automatically closes unused apps to free up memory without user intervention.
- Some apps, like mapping and music applications, may consume battery in the background, but the solution is not to close all apps but rather to manage background activity through the settings.
The Second Myth: More Megapixels Mean a Better Camera—Is It True?
Many users believe that increasing the number of megapixels in a camera automatically results in higher-quality photos. For this reason, some companies market their smartphones by focusing solely on megapixel count, ignoring other crucial factors that play a key role in image quality.
In reality, photo quality does not depend solely on the number of megapixels. Other, more important factors come into play, such as sensor size. The larger the camera sensor, the light it can capture, leading to brighter images with better details, especially in low-light conditions.
For example, a phone like the iPhone 15 Pro with a 12-megapixel camera can capture higher-quality photos than a phone with a 200-megapixel camera but a smaller sensor.
- Aperture size: The aperture controls the amount of light that enters the sensor. A wide aperture, such as 1.8 or 1.6, helps improve photography in low-light conditions, while narrower apertures limit the amount of incoming light, which may result in dark or blurry images.
- Image processing: The processor used in the phone, along with AI algorithms, plays a major role in enhancing image quality. Some smartphones feature advanced image processing software, such as Deep Fusion in Apple devices or HDR+ in Google Pixel phones, which help produce clearer and more balanced photos.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): This system helps reduce vibrations during photography, resulting in sharper images, especially in low-light conditions or while recording videos. Smartphones without OIS often suffer from blurry images when the hand shakes during shooting.
The Third Myth: You Must Always Charge Your Phone to 100%
Many people believe that charging their phone to 100% every time is necessary to maintain battery health and ensure long-term performance. Some even think that fully discharging the battery before recharging improves its efficiency.
The truth: Modern lithium-ion batteries do not function like older nickel-cadmium batteries, which suffered from the so-called "memory effect," where they lost their ability to hold a charge if not fully discharged and recharged.
On the contrary, lithium-ion batteries are affected by the number of full charge cycles. This means that constantly charging your phone to 100% and draining it to 0% reduces the overall battery lifespan. To prolong battery efficiency, it is best to keep the charge level between 20% and 80%.
How Does Continuous Charging to 100% Affect the Battery?
When the battery reaches 100%, charging does not completely stop. Instead, the phone enters a state of trickle charging, where it continues to receive a small electrical current to maintain full charge, which can gradually increase heat over time.
- Excessive heat is the biggest enemy of batteries, as it accelerates the chemical degradation of battery cells, reducing their ability to retain charge over time.
- Studies have shown that charging a phone up to only 80% and then unplugging it can double the battery’s lifespan compared to charging it to 100% every time.
Practical Tips to Extend Battery Life
- Do not let the battery drop below 20% regularly, as deep discharge damages the internal battery cells.
- Try to charge the phone when it is between 20% and 80% to achieve the best balance between performance and battery lifespan.
- Use original and certified chargers from the manufacturer, as low-quality chargers may cause the phone to overheat.
- Do not leave the phone connected to the charger overnight every day, even if it has advanced protection systems, to reduce stress on the battery.
- If you need to charge your phone for extended periods, use the smart charging feature if available, such as optimized battery charging on iPhones or adaptive charging on modern Android devices.
The Fourth Myth: Leaving Your Phone Plugged in Overnight Damages the Battery
Many people believe that leaving a phone plugged in overnight will quickly damage the battery or even cause it to explode due to overcharging. This is one of the most common myths among smartphone users.
Scientific fact: Modern smartphones are equipped with advanced power management systems that prevent overcharging. Once the battery reaches 100%, the flow of electricity stops automatically, protecting the battery from immediate damage.
However, another factor to consider is temperature. Keeping your phone plugged in overnight can lead to increased heat, especially if you're using a non-original charger or placing the phone under a pillow or in a poorly ventilated area. Excess heat can gradually degrade the battery over time and reduce its capacity.
What happens when you leave your phone charging overnight?
When the battery reaches 100%, the power flow stops thanks to the overcharge protection system. However, during sleep, the phone consumes a small amount of power to maintain notifications and updates, causing the battery percentage to drop slightly.
Once the charge drops to 99% or 98%, the phone starts charging again to reach 100%. This continuous cycle between 98% and 100% is called trickle charging. These small charging cycles may increase battery wear over time, but they are not directly harmful in modern devices.
What can damage the battery?
- Using a non-original or low-quality charger may lack protection systems, which can damage the battery due to overheating or power fluctuations.
- Placing the phone in a closed space while charging, such as under a pillow or in a tight pocket, increases heat buildup and affects battery lifespan.
- Charging while playing games or using heavy applications can cause the phone to overheat and put extra stress on the battery.
How to preserve your phone's battery during overnight charging?
- Use an original or manufacturer-approved charger.
- Charge your phone in a well-ventilated area to avoid overheating.
- If you want to extend battery lifespan, try keeping the charge between 20% and 80% instead of always charging to 100%.
- Some modern smartphones, like iPhones and Samsung devices, feature scheduled charging, which delays reaching 100% until just before you wake up, reducing trickle charging overnight.
Myth 5: The higher the battery capacity (mAh), the longer the phone lasts
Many people believe that a phone with a 5000mAh battery will last longer than a phone with a 4500mAh battery or that battery life is determined solely by numbers.
The truth: This belief is not entirely accurate. The actual battery life does not depend only on its capacity; many other factors play a crucial role in determining how long a phone can run before needing to be recharged.
Factors Affecting Battery Life Beyond Its Capacity
Processor Efficiency and Power-Saving Technologies: Modern processors like Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Apple A17 Pro are equipped with advanced power management technologies, reducing battery consumption during daily use.
- Some older processors consume more power even with a high-capacity battery, leading to faster battery drain.
- Processors built on 4 nm or 3 nm technology consume less power compared to older processors based on 7 nm or larger nodes.
A real-world example: The iPhone 15 Pro Max, with a 4,441mAh battery, can last longer than some Android phones with a 5,000mAh battery due to the efficiency of the A17 Pro chip and the intelligent power management in iOS.
Operating System and Power Management: The operating system plays a major role in battery consumption, as iPhones feature more efficient power management compared to some Android devices.
- Some companies, such as Samsung and Xiaomi, use intelligent power-saving systems that restrict background apps to preserve battery life.
- Real-life example: A phone running Android 14 with power management optimizations may outperform another device with a larger battery capacity but an older Android version.
Screen refresh rate and display technology: High refresh rate screens (120Hz and 144Hz) consume more power than 60Hz screens, even if the phone has a large battery.
- OLED and LTPO screens are more power-efficient than LCD screens.
- Some phones, like the Galaxy S24 Ultra, support an adaptive refresh rate, which helps reduce power consumption when a high refresh rate is not needed.
- Real-world example: A phone with a 120Hz LTPO OLED display and a 4500mAh battery may last longer than a phone with a 60Hz LCD and a 5000mAh battery due to the screen's higher efficiency and advanced power management technologies.
Conclusion: A larger battery does not necessarily mean longer battery life. Factors such as processor, operating system, display, and power management all play a crucial role. When buying a new phone, don’t rely solely on the mAh rating—check real-world battery tests and user experiences.
Did you previously believe that battery capacity was the only factor determining battery life? Or did you believe any of the myths mentioned earlier? Share your thoughts in the comments!