Asked by: Michael Albin, Blackburn
Nickel-based batteries were blighted by the ‘memory effect’, and would lose capacity unless regularly discharged completely.
Most phones nowadays have lithium batteries, and these do not suffer from the memory effect. In fact, it is good for them if you top the batteries up rather than deplete them completely.
Therefore, it’s best to charge your phone from half-full.
Read more:
Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun science facts.