What is the best way to charge my S4? Let it drain all the way first??

[New Member]

I was always of the impression that it is best to let your phone drain its battery, then recharge all the way, and repeat this cycle about three times to maximize battery life.

However, with the S4, I've been told it doesn't matter. Is that true? Or should I continue doing as above?

Thanks!

 

[motoracer1486]

Charge it whenever you want.

 

[lotus49]

Not only is it not true, it's not good for the battery although the electronics stop it from discharging fully.

Having said that, the battery is replaceable and a perfectly decent replacement can be had for a fiver on eBay so it's just not worth worrying about.

 

[BigRedGonzo]

Li-ION batteries do not like being fully discharged. They actually prefer small incremental charges and they love being topped off. They actually have little or no hysteresis (memory) and when they die, they die very quickly.

BigRedgonzo

 

[Kimo19]

Li-ION batteries do not like being fully discharged. They actually prefer small incremental charges and they love being topped off. They actually have little or no hysteresis (memory) and when they die, they die very quickly.

BigRedgonzo

This is what I have heard also via Gizmodo and owning an iPhone 5 prior.

Samsung/Google have programmed the phone to say "unplug me" once the phone is at 100% because why not confuse people?

 

[Tsepz_GP]

Always top up my GS4, had it since launch and I've let it completely die a total of 2 times, both being due to simply not being near a charger.

 

[m3incorp]

I charge any time it's getting low. Also I put mine on the charger overnight.

 

[Goodspike]

I was always of the impression that it is best to let your phone drain its battery, then recharge all the way, and repeat this cycle about three times to maximize battery life.

That was perhaps true with Ni-Cad batteries. They did last longer if periodically discharged (not sure about your 3x theory). Ni-cads have not been used in phones for probably at least 10 years.

 

[judpma]

get yourself an extra battery and charge or switch batteries whenever..do so at your convenience, notbecause someone tells you this works!

 

[damewolf13]

Please be careful if you decide to purchase an extra battery from Ebay or anywhere other than a reputable dealer, as you quite often end up getting just what you paid for. Quality varies.