Is your smartphone charging too slowly? Reasons and Solutions

Smartphones are an essential part of the everyday life of everyone. And we all know the importance of the battery life of our phones.

But sometimes it may happen that your smartphone is charging too slowly. If you think your smartphone is charging too slowly, you need to review several things to decide whether you need or not to replace the battery of your phone.

There are several reasons why your smartphone may charge slowly, ranging from faulty chargers to outdated software or hardware issues.

In this article, we will explore the common reasons behind slow charging and provide practical solutions to help you get the most out of your device’s battery life.

Understanding Rechargeable Batteries

A battery is built into every smartphone. Generally speaking, all batteries work in the same manner when delivering energy. There are two electrodes in a cell battery: one is positive, and the other is negative. Electrodes produce ions via use, pushing an electrical flow to your battery’s negative exterior terminal and emitting a charge.

These chemical processes only occur once in non-rechargeable batteries since they are one-time-use devices. Chemical processes in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, such as cell phone ones, are “reversible.” Recharging, however, enables the cell to take in power. When it comes to charging your smartphone, there are two options: wired and wireless. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Pros and Cons of Wired Charging

Similar to other consumer electronics, smartphones have always shipped with cables for charging purposes. These cables haven’t changed that much until recently.

For almost a decade, non-Apple devices have shipped with USB cables that have supported the USB 3.0 architecture. By contrast, since 2012, Apple devices have used Lightning, a proprietary computer bus and power connector.

“Fast Charging” technology has increased wired charging speeds considerably in recent years. This type of technology typically requires a newer USB Type-C connection. Fast charging specifications differ by manufacturer and device.

Most claim a certain percentage of the battery becomes recharged in 30 minutes. For example, using fast charge, you can recharge your iPhone up to 50 per cent battery in 30 minutes.

Pros and Cons of Wireless Charging

This brings us to an increasingly popular form of phone charging: wirelessly. There are a lot of benefits to using wireless charging, although it does come with some drawbacks.

Pros of Wireless Charging

You no longer have to worry about finding a cable with wireless charging. Instead, you just set your phone on a stationary charging pad. This means less wear and tear on your device and fewer costs, at least in the long term. Charging cables can be expensive, after all.

Convenience is another reason consumers are embracing wireless charging. Many of the charging pads on the market today allow you to charge multiple devices at the same time.

Cons of Wireless Charging

Wired charging, while widely used and reliable, does come with its share of drawbacks. Connecting your device to a wall charger or a computer’s USB port requires the presence of a physical cable. This means you have to carry around an extra item with you whenever you need to charge your device.

Additionally, the cables themselves can be prone to wear and tear, resulting in frayed or broken connectors. Moreover, the charging process is often slower compared to wireless charging options. Despite these downsides, wired charging remains a popular and accessible choice for many users due to its widespread compatibility and convenience.

Wireless chargers also generate some wasted heat, which could lead to your phone overheating. To avoid injury, make sure you only buy certified wireless charging bases. Wireless charging products are also more expensive than wired solutions.

5 Reasons Why Your Smartphone Is Charging Too Slowly

Now that you know how battery charging works, it’s time to look at what might slow down your older phone while charging. Most likely, it’s because of one of the following reasons:

1. Bad Accessories

The most straightforward reason your cell phone might be charging slower than before might have nothing to do with the phone itself. Instead, you could have a bad cord or adapter or a weak power source.

USB cables get put through a lot, especially in homes with multiple users and devices. These cables are often dropped, bent, kept in locations where temperatures vary significantly and even stepped on. Therefore, before anything else, change the cable and see if that eliminates the problem.

You should also switch out the adapter and see if that makes a difference. Do you continue to use the same adapter in your household even after buying a new phone? You should probably use the newer one.

Many like to charge their mobile devices using a port on their computer. This isn’t always ideal, depending on your computer’s age and whether other ports on your machine are in use simultaneously.

Everything else being equal, you should use a direct source to charge your phone. In other words: use a wall charger whenever possible.

2. Port Issues

Your cable isn’t the only element that could have problems from daily charging. Your phone’s charging port could also suffer some damage. Look at the port for corrosion or an obstruction. While this probably isn’t why it’s taking more time to charge your device, you should at least rule it out.

To find the latter, use a flashlight and magnification to look around inside your phone’s port. Try to remove any object (lint, dust, etc.) that doesn’t belong, being very careful not to cause damage to the port’s components.

My advice? Use a plastic toothpick to remove any objects. Using a small, soft brush inside the port is also recommended.

3. Background Apps

Phones that take forever to charge can also have difficulty keeping a charge when in use. A rogue app, or background apps in general, could be the reason for this.

Android and iOS now have tools to find out what apps are running in the background. Check out the battery usage menu at Settings > Battery for Android-based devices. On your iPhone, select Battery in the Settings app to see which apps use the most battery.

When you think you’ve located the malicious app, delete it and see if your battery life and charging speed improves.

4. Aging Battery

If you’ve exhausted the other tips on this list and the battery still seems to take forever to charge, you might think about having the battery replaced.

At the end of 2017, Apple was criticised for handling batteries in ageing iPhones. It did so for a reason, though.

The little industry secret is that lithium-ion batteries don’t last forever and can only be recharged a limited number of times. Therefore, it could be that the battery is causing the slow recharging. Take your phone to an authorised dealer for more information on replacing the battery in your device.

5. The Problem Is You

Do you have to use your smartphone while charging because you’re a control freak? You may be at blame for the slow charging time. Apps like Facebook notoriously deplete battery life. Trying to recharge your cell phone and post on social media simultaneously is a perfect example of this. Take a break from doing something instead of continuing to do so. Making this a rule eliminates the possibility of using your phone while charging.

When in Doubt, Get It Fixed

Recharging your phone’s battery shouldn’t take long. If you’ve observed a significant slowdown, it’s likely due to a simple problem. Consider sending your device to an authorized repair center for a professional look if the advice in this article hasn’t helped.