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A 140-Day Experiment: Is Apple's Battery Recommendation Really Necessary?

One of the biggest concerns for smartphone users is the gradual decrease in their device's battery life over time. To mitigate this issue, Apple added a feature called "Optimized Battery Charging" to the iOS operating system. But does this feature really make a difference? A technology writer conducted an unusual experiment to find the answer, intentionally ignoring Apple's recommendation for a full 140 days. The resulting data presents surprising findings about battery management.

What is Optimized Battery Charging and How Does It Work?

Apple's feature activates when you charge your iPhone overnight. The device quickly charges to 80%, then slowly completes the remaining portion to reach full charge by morning. The goal is to slow chemical aging by preventing the battery from remaining at 100% charge for extended periods. Apple states that this helps maintain maximum battery capacity for longer. The feature comes enabled by default and is used by many users without notice.

The Experiment's Methodology and 140-Day Process

The technology writer conducting the experiment behaved like an average user without changing daily usage habits. They typically charged their phone overnight and used it with moderate intensity during the day. The only difference was turning off the "Optimized Battery Charging" option in Settings > Battery > Battery Health. Over 140 days, battery health percentage, charge cycles, and daily battery life were regularly recorded.

During the experiment, Apple's other recommendations regarding battery and account management were also considered. For example, guides in the Apple Support Community offer tips on how users can optimize their devices and accounts. Similarly, iCloud account security and Apple ID management can indirectly affect device performance. All these factors were evaluated for the experiment's integrity.

Surprising Results: How Much Battery Health Was Lost?

At the end of 140 days, the obtained data was less dramatic than expected. The iPhone's maximum battery capacity showed an average decrease of 2-3% from the initial 100% level. This was consistent with expected wear during normal use. However, the real difference was observed in the daily charging routine:

• With optimized charging disabled, the battery remained at 100% for hours overnight.
• It was recorded that the device didn't wake up with a more "vigorous" charge in the mornings as expected, and sometimes even showed signs of overheating.
• Long-term, this situation is predicted to create stress on battery chemistry, potentially accelerating capacity loss.

So, What Was the Impact on User Experience?

From a daily usage perspective, the user didn't experience any negative feelings during the 140 days. The phone had enough charge to last all day. However, especially on heavy usage days, a slight increase was observed in the frequency of the battery dropping below 20% in the late afternoon. This was interpreted as a sign of the small decline in the battery's holding capacity over the long term.

Expert Opinion and the Science Behind Apple's Recommendations

Battery technology experts state that the biggest enemies of lithium-ion batteries are overcharging, high heat, and deep discharge cycles. Apple's optimized charging feature aims to protect the battery from prolonged high-voltage stress precisely at this point. Similar topics are frequently discussed in Apple's official support communities. Users are warned to keep their devices updated with official software and use original accessories to preserve battery health.

Conclusion: What Should You Do to Preserve Battery Life?

This 140-day experiment showed us that Apple's "Optimized Battery Charging" feature is particularly important for users who regularly charge their phones overnight.