The Smartphone scene sees better processors being introduced on a daily basis, which have higher energy requirements and thus generate greater amounts of heat. Sometimes, in the bid to create thin and compact smartphones manufacturers design devices lacking proper ventilation, such as in the case of Gionee Elife S5.5 and that may result in excessive heating. Other factors such as excessive involvement in processor/graphically intensive tasks, use of an old battery, presence of battery draining apps and processes etc all contribute to overheating of the device. Let us consider some tips to stop or control these excessive heating issues.
Disable Unwanted Functions
Some functions of a smartphone device are highly battery intensive. Many unwanted applications and processes run in the background of a Smartphone, consuming a high amount of energy, and thus generating higher amounts of heat. By disabling these apps and background processes users can make sure that their device remains cool.
For example, it is not necessary to keep on your WiFi, Bluetooth etc functions switched On all the time, even when not using the device for a long period of time. Maps services, Vibration effect etc all consume energy drastically. Users can monitor and close unwanted functions by using apps such as JuiceDefender, and apps like Greenify can keep tabs on background activities.
Limit Graphics and Processor Intensive Tasks
Tasks like Gaming and Web-Browsing are very exhausting for the processor, when performed for a long period of time. This is why users will notice that their devices become really hot during excessive gaming or web-browsing.
Controlling time spent on such activities will help users to avoid unnecessary heat generation on their device. Unrestrained heat generation is directly related to loss in battery life, and therefore users who would like to get the most out of their batteries should monitor processor intensive activities.
Use Better Batteries
All OEMs would like you to believe that third party batteries are great or at least as good as manufacturer’s batteries for your device. While some brands such as Anker, Mugen, Hyperion etc. do provide good, dependable batteries, most of the times cheaper alternatives end up being useless, if not downright harmful for your device.
E-commerce sites are usually filled with ads of third party normal/extended low-priced batteries. These batteries may not have been properly manufactured and their constituents may break down, resulting in a short circuit. They might not even give you the same backup as the original battery. So as to avoid the risks associated with these batteries, users should either go with the Manufacturer’s original battery or other well known brands.
Take Care of your Battery and Device
Using an original battery will minimize the uncertainty associated with cheap batteries, but users can further avoid overheating issues through proper handling of the battery. Normally, batteries need replacement after an year or after 300-500 charging cycles, and users should change batteries at the necessary time as old batteries are more prone to overheating. Accumulated dust on batteries and the device can also result in unnatural heat generation. Dust on the battery slot or the charging orifice may result in a battery/device malfunction and serious overheating. Therefore users should clean their devices regularly and keep them dust free.
Taking Precautions While Charging
Charging your battery is a very important activity for your device. When done without proper precautions, it may lead to immoderate heat generation. Users should make sure that they use original chargers for their device. Performing arduous activities while charging is also taxing on the battery and the device and should be avoided.
Similarly, proper ventilation at the place where the device has been kept for charging will help in keeping the device cool. If users have a replaceable battery, they can even use an external battery charger to charge the battery so as to avoid heating the device due to charging.
Other Tips
There exist some other precautions which the user can take so as to avoid excessive heating of the device and the battery. These include avoiding always stifling the device in a pocket, avoiding using bulky, thick cases which insulate heat, avoiding exposing the device to direct sunlight etc.
Moreover, users can also monitor the temperature of their device using apps such as the Battery Monitor Widget. In case of the device attaining excessive temperatures, such an app will notify the user and the user can in turn take some immediate preventive action such as switching Off the device.
Conclusion
Lithium-ion batteries suffer from an effect called the ‘Thermal runaway’, where generation of heat leads to an increase in reaction rate and therefore more heat is generated, starting a vicious cycle of heat generation.
Excessive overheating not only reduces battery life, it might also cause the battery to explode in extreme circumstances, causing physical harm to the user and the surroundings. A smartphone device is an important gadget for its user and therefore it becomes essential to take preventive measures to avoid any divergent or harmful behavior in the device or in the device battery. While most devices will heat up a little in their day-to-day activities, overheating is a sign of such damaging behavior and should be dealt with. Understanding why it happens, and knowing how to avoid it will help in keeping a device perfectly functional and thus a user happy and content.
