Should I Turn Off Fast Charging?

[music_man185]

This will be a silly question for most of you. For some, fast charging is one reason for getting a phone in the first place. I will most likely keep my s7 for the full 2 years, if not longer. So I want to make sure my battery stays healthy, since it is not replaceable. I know that slower charging is much better for a battery than fast charging. In most cases, I do not need my phone to charge fast. I plug it up when I go to bed and unplug when I wake up. Obviously, I'm asleep while it is charging, so it doesn't matter to me of it takes 1 hour to charge or 5 hours to charge. Of course, there may be some instances when my battery is low during the day and I need a fast charge. But would it be in my best interest to disable fast charging when it is not needed?

 

[scupking]

I would say fast charging shouldn't be a problem. I had a droid turbo with fast charging and never noticed any battery issues over the years.

 

[dpham00]

In your situation, you can disable it

 

[lostsoul2]

Doesn't the phone shut off the charging after it hits 100%.. if so then would it be more stress on the batt to fast change in 1 1/2h or will it generate more heat and stress taking 5 hours to charge?? things that make you go hummm

 

[mccann1987]

I plugged my s7 into my old galaxy s5 plug charger yesterday. I had around 25/30% battery left when I plugged it in the phone reported it had 1hour 19mins to full charge. I expected it to take alot longer. So I then plugged it into the galaxy s7 adaptive fast charger and it reported 1hour 6mins to full charge.
That is only a 13 minute difference.

I only tried this once so will probably try it a few more times to see if the difference really is so minimal but initially 13 minutes is not much difference.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Colchicine]

Li ion batteries positively will last longer the slower you charge it. To maximize the life of your battery:
-Li ion batteries do not like to be fully discharged.
-Li ion batteries really don't like heat. Minimize use of wireless charging.
-Li ion batteries prefer to be charged slowly.

 

[NoPrivacy]

My HTC One M7 gets so hot it burns my skin to hold, and yet even after 2.5 years of ownership my charge lasts most of a day (yes i'm here shopping for a new phone). My point is, the new batteries have pretty good lifespans compared to how they went to total crap after 20 months just a few years ago.

 

[luke31]

My HTC One M7 gets so hot it burns my skin to hold, and yet even after 2.5 years of ownership my charge lasts most of a day (yes i'm here shopping for a new phone). My point is, the new batteries have pretty good lifespans compared to how they went to total crap after 20 months just a few years ago.

Believe it or not, i know a person who until recently was using an iPhone 3Gs, and her battery was fine. Not great, but pretty OK. That's impressive for a phone that old.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Techno-guy]

I had the same thoughts and want my battery to really last and turned my Fast Charging off. I noticed very little difference with it off - it still charges REALLY fast!

 

[lostsoul2]

They designed it to use fast charge. There are programs and parts to help make sure nothing over heats in the phone and in the changers(unless you buy Chinese junk).. I cringe when I see a thread of people worried and forcing themselves to slow charge..

The phone comes with a fast charger.. use the thing, If you go wireless get a wireless fast charger. dont stress. enjoy it.

 

[Colchicine]

You made no compelling argument, nor presented evidence, that fast charging and high heat don't decrease the life of the battery. Being designed for fast charging and wireless charging doesn't mean they've made a Li ion battery that is immune to the problems of previous Li ion batteries before it. Samsung does not care if your battery life is poor after 2 years of fast charging. That is exactly what is expected of Li ion batteries. What they do care about is people's first impressions and the first year of use.

the new batteries have pretty good lifespans compared to how they went to total crap after 20 months just a few years ago

I was unaware of a considerable advancement in battery technology. Please cite a source this change.

Believe it or not, i know a person who until recently was using an iPhone 3Gs, and her battery was fine. Not great, but pretty OK. That's impressive for a phone that old.

yet even after 2.5 years of ownership my charge lasts most of a day

Those are nice to know, but they are all anecdotal observations. What I would prefer everyone to rely on instead are the people that actually understand batteries, inside and out. Here's a good starting point:
Fast and Ultra-fast Chargers - Battery University

Simple Guidelines regarding Chargers

If possible, charge at a moderate rate. Ultra-fast charging always causes stress.
Fast and ultra-fast charge fills the battery only partially; a slower saturation charge completes the charge. Unlike lead acid, Li-ion does not need the saturation charge but the capacity will be a bit lower.
Do not apply fast charge when the battery is cold or hot. Only charge at moderate temperatures. Avoid fast charging an aged or low-performing battery.

And that supports the Best Practices I posted above.

 

[rydubois]

Those are nice to know, but they are all anecdotal observations. What I would prefer everyone to rely on instead are the people that actually understand batteries, inside and out. Here's a good starting point:
Fast and Ultra-fast Chargers - Battery University



And that supports the Best Practices I posted above.

You understand I hope that you come off like a jerk in that post. And anecdotal or not I've seen no issues personally with a note 3 and note 4 after over a year of fast charging on each the batteries were fine. You are free to follow your advise and that of the experts. For my part I'm going with personal experience and the experiences of other users that have used fast charging with no problems.

 

[Maknora]

why do u guys worry about battery? u can just go to a Samsung store and get the battery replaced right? do it after a year.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[xocomaox]

why do u guys worry about battery? u can just go to a Samsung store and get the battery replaced right? do it after a year.

You can do this, but there really is no need.

 

[dyna mike]

I plugged my s7 into my old galaxy s5 plug charger yesterday. I had around 25/30% battery left when I plugged it in the phone reported it had 1hour 19mins to full charge. I expected it to take alot longer. So I then plugged it into the galaxy s7 adaptive fast charger and it reported 1hour 6mins to full charge.
That is only a 13 minute difference.

I only tried this once so will probably try it a few more times to see if the difference really is so minimal but initially 13 minutes is not much difference.

Posted via the Android Central App

I don't think think the fast charge is designed to go to 100%, it slows after a certain point. maybe 80?

 

[lostsoul2]

You understand I hope that you come off like a jerk in that post.

Agreed, and its not just this post. Someones been hitting up a thesaurus for fun. haha

This guy cracks me up.. ok, so there has been no advancements in the batteries or hardware in the last 5-10years. The whole QC 1.0 and up, the whole fast charging and adaptive charge.. The 5w-15w charging pads.. its all made up.. People using some type fast charge for years and still going.. its all fake. its all advertisement scams by many companies. They promote it knowing your battery will blow up in a year. haha

Its a semi free country. you can slow charge all you want. I'll be enjoying this technology and when the 15w wireless pads come out I will get that. My 10w wireless fast charger is doing good but if I can get faster I will.

 

[anon(238680)]

They promote it knowing your battery will blow up in a year. haha

And guess who's coming across as a jerk in your post.

Just for kicks, heard about all the hoverboard fires lately caused by the li-ion batteries? Most were started while charging.

 

[meyerweb#CB]

You understand I hope that you come off like a jerk in that post.

Actually, s/he comes off as someone who knows what s/he's talking about, and has the data to prove it.

You can have your own opinions, but not your own facts. And the fact is that the faster you charge, the more heat you generate in the battery, and heat is an enemy of LI batteries.

Yes, Samsung and Qualcomm say you can fast charge. Find me where they guarantee it won't affect your battery life. Fast charging is about convenience, a sop to those who complain that batteries aren't big enough. That doesn't mean it's without side effects.

 

[meyerweb#CB]

why do u guys worry about battery? u can just go to a Samsung store and get the battery replaced right? do it after a year.

Posted via the Android Central App

And how much do you think that will cost? Labor ain't free.

 

[20blks]

And how much do you think that will cost? Labor ain't free.

Any replacement work under warranty is free. It's long as it's not caused by your handling.