How to choose a battery for a smartphone

When choosing a battery for a smartphone, you should first of all pay attention to the model of this component.

How to choose a battery for a smartphone: what is desirable to consider

The main criteria for choosing a battery for a smartphone are:

1. View (external, internal removable, internal non-removable);

2. Capacity (for internal);

3. External battery characteristics (capacity, case material, output current, number and types of connectors, support for fast charging technologies).

!

The type of battery itself can be ignored, since in the vast majority of cases, smartphones use lithium polymer batteries.

Battery types

The term 'battery' in relation to smartphones is quite extensible. This term can refer to both the built-in battery and an external one designed to recharge the device away from the outlet. On English-speaking online stores, devices of the first type are called battery, and the second – power bank.

External battery (portable, power bank, 'powerbank')

An external battery is a simple device designed to recharge a smartphone or any other device away from an 'outlet'. Structurally, it is a battery connected to a power controller. When charged, it is able to store the accumulated energy for some (relatively long) time, and then share it with a connected smartphone.

External batteries cannot replace a damaged smartphone battery or just a charger. They are designed specifically to store a certain amount of energy 'in reserve' in case of a sudden discharge of your favorite device.

Internal removable battery

Internal removable batteries are installed directly into the smartphone, most often under the back panel, and are designed to power the mobile device. The removable design means that such a battery can be removed if necessary – to replace it with another one or turn off the device completely.

Internal non-removable battery

Internal removable batteries are structurally similar to removable ones, with the exception of a few 'buts'. Firstly, they are located behind a non-separable body, as a result of which it is almost impossible to extract them without special knowledge and equipment. Secondly, the connection of such batteries to the motherboard is more compact. Finally, the lack of high resistance connectors allows fast charging technology.

Which battery should you choose?

When choosing a battery, it is worth considering several parameters depending on the intended use:

1. Check if your smartphone has a removable or non-removable battery. Removable can be replaced independently, and to remove a non-removable and install a new one, you will need to carry the device to the service center;

2. What do you need a battery for? If the smartphone battery begins to run out quickly and more than a year has passed since the purchase of the device, it gets very hot or almost instantly discharges in the cold, then you need to replace the internal battery. If you just want to extend autonomy, you need an external one;

3. In order to extend the autonomy of a smartphone with a removable internal battery, you can purchase several internal batteries and replace them as they run out. But this is not as practical as using a power bank.

!

It is worth remembering that the rapid discharge of the battery under normal conditions, as well as its heating, can signal not only damage to the battery. Firmware problems often lead to these 'symptoms'. Therefore, before purchasing an internal battery, it is worth contacting a service center.

Battery selection options for smartphone

The selection options for internal and external batteries are different.

Internal battery

When choosing an internal battery, you should pay attention to the following characteristics:

1. Model;

2. Compatibility;

3. Capacity;

4. Manufacturer.

The model is especially important for internal non-removable batteries. It directly determines the possibility of installing a battery in an existing smartphone – both in terms of design features and electrical parameters. You can find out a specific model both from the sticker on the existing battery, and from the specifications of the device.

For internal removable batteries, the model is important, but not prevalent.

Compatibility defines, as the name implies, the compatibility of a battery with an existing smartphone. It can be both constructive and electrical. Compatibility of the first type implies the ability to install a battery in a smartphone – it must have the same dimensions and the same contact arrangement as the original. Electrical means that the amperage and voltage will be used the same as should be used in the device.

Compatibility is usually indicated on the packaging and in the battery description.

The capacity determines the battery life of the smartphone from the used battery. The higher it is, the longer the device will 'live' without recharging. However, in most cases, the capacity of a new battery corresponds to the same parameter of the old one.

Portable batteries

When choosing a portable battery, you should pay attention to the following characteristics:

1. Capacity;

2. Charging current;

3. Body material;

4. Number and types of connectors;

5. Support for fast charging technologies.

Capacity determines the battery runtime. More precisely, it determines how many times the 'powerbank' is able to charge the smartphone connected to it. Most modern mobile devices are equipped with a 2000-3000 mAh battery, so an external charger should be taken for at least 5000 mAh, since its self-discharge, drops during current transfer and other factors that reduce the actual capacity are observed.

The charging current determines the charging speed of the connected smartphone. For older devices, the optimal value for this parameter is 500 mA. For new smartphones, it makes no sense to buy external batteries designed for less than 1 A. They will discharge faster than they charge.

The body material determines the practicality of the powerbank. Plastic is cheap, but it scratches and cracks easily if dropped. Metal is a little more expensive, but more practical.

The number of connectors determines the number of devices that can be charged from one powerbank at a time. If the external battery is planned to be used only with a smartphone, then one connector is enough. If you also have a laptop, tablet, headphones, smart watch or similar device, you will need at least two connectors.

The connector type determines the compatibility with the cables. The most common standard is USB Type-A – or 'regular' USB. Modern USB Type-C is still quite rare. Even smartphones equipped with it usually come with a USB Type-A cable on one side and Type-C on the other.

Support for fast charging technology will restore the energy reserve in the battery of a connected smartphone (which also supports it) much faster than usual. However, it leads to intensive wear of the powerbank batteries.

How to choose an external battery for a smartphone

When choosing an external battery, it is worth solving several questions:

1. Capacity. The minimum required is 5000 mAh. Taking into account external factors, it will allow you to charge your smartphone from 0 to 100% once. Better, of course, 10000 mAh or even higher;

2. Number of connectors. On external batteries rated for less than 10000 mAh, it makes no sense to install more than one port;

3. Charging current. For new smartphones, it must be at least 1 A;

4. Material. It is worth choosing based on your own preferences.

5. Fast charging support is not particularly needed.

Best smartphone battery manufacturers

The best manufacturers of internal batteries are:

1. LG;

2. Craftmann;

3. TF1;

4. Smartphone manufacturers – Samsung, Sony, etc.

Top powerbank manufacturers:

1. Xiaomi;

2. Inter-Step;

3. Hiper;

4. Canyon.

5. Also interesting are the products of the Rombica company.

In the following articles, our experts will tell you how to choose a push-button phone and the secrets of choosing a phone for the Internet.

---

Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.