Expert tells how to keep your smartphone charged in the cold

In the cold, the battery of any gadget discharges faster than at normal temperatures. This is due to the fact that chemical processes inside the battery slow down under the influence of cold, as a result of which its efficiency decreases. On how to minimize the loss of charge, Ilya Kazakov, technical director of the service "Paverbanks MTS Yurent" told "Izvestia" on December 23.

"What happens to batteries in the cold is easily explained by science. Most modern gadgets are equipped with lithium-ion batteries. A chemical reaction inside the battery sends charged particles through the phone's chip, and that charge powers it. Cold temperatures slow down this reaction - the charged particles encounter more resistance as they travel through the battery, charging the device," the expert explained.

As these charged particles get stuck, the battery life of the smartphone drops dramatically, he specified. Therefore, it is worth taking care in advance that the gadget works while there are minus temperatures outside.

First of all, you should not forget to charge your phone before going outdoors. Let it have a maximum charge in case of unpleasant effects of cold. A fully charged battery copes better with low temperatures, Kazakov emphasized.

"A few simple tricks can help preserve battery life: disable location services in apps; make sure you close apps after use; download maps in advance to use your phone in airplane mode; turn on power-saving mode," the expert advised.

In addition, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and NFC should be turned off to save charge. And if the user is out of network coverage, he or she should put the device in air mode so it doesn't waste resources searching for a signal.

"If you're worried about charging, turn your phone off and keep it in a warm place close to your body so it's ready to use when you need it urgently," Kazakov recommended.

In addition, you can use a smart watch: communicate, read messages, record audio. Then the phone will rest in your pocket and its charge will be kept intact.

"The real key to keeping your phone working in cold weather is warmth. Carry your phone in the inside pocket of your jacket next to your body, and cover your smart watch with a glove or jacket sleeve. In this way, your body heat will warm the smartphone, and insulation in the form of clothing will block the cold," Kazakov explained.

In his opinion, it is better to always keep the phone in a case, regardless of the temperature. But if a person is often and for a long time in the cold and he needs to use the phone, you can use a special case for this. So, there are compact cases with additional insulation at subzero temperatures. There are even models that can be used while fishing when it's cold and wet.

"If you need to use your phone, turn your back to the wind and cover it with your body. At the same time, try not to pull the phone out into the cold every minute and all the more try not to actively move," the expert advised.

At the same time, you should try not to allow a complete discharge of the battery, as it can adversely affect its condition at low temperatures. It is better to charge the device in small portions when the charge level drops below 20%.

"In any case, a smartphone in the cold needs additional protection - a responsible user should take care of this in advance," Kazakov concluded.

Earlier, on December 10, Anton Averyanov, CEO of ST IT Group, an expert of the TechNet NTI market, told Izvestia that if you carry a phone in your back pocket, not only can it be stolen, but there is a risk that the technique will spoil. He specified that when wearing a jacket that covers only the top, the temperature in the phone drops. At low temperatures, condensation can cover the board and there is a risk of ice and when a person sits down, the board can crack.