When it comes to battery performance, the latest flagship devices have a few things in common such as a large battery capacity, some type of battery saving feature, and of course fast charging. Last fall, GSM Arena revised their 12 year old battery testing methods to give users a more realistic representation of the latest flagship devices’ battery performance. After intense rounds of games, streaming videos, phone calls, and web browsing, the top ten devices in the test delivered no less than 15 hours of battery life. It’s safe to say that anyone who buys a flagship device now can look forward to hours of enjoyment before they need to recharge. 

The combination of a large battery and a battery saving feature ensures that your device will give you more hours to work with during the day and perhaps even over the course of a few days. However, plenty of people have taken to forums and social media platforms with the question “does fast charging damage my battery in the long run?” We recently explored the science behind fast charging and how REDMAGIC’s charge separation feature allows you to preserve your battery in the long run. This time, we’ll be looking at slow charging and when it may be more beneficial to use it instead of fast charging.

 

What Is Slow Charging?

 

Let’s begin by clarifying that “slow charging” isn’t really a thing, and it can be looked at more like “not fast charging”. Instead of using a lightning cable and large capacity adapter, you’d just be utilizing the regular one which would essentially make your phone charge at a regular speed. Slow charging is considered safer and more gentle than the more popular fast charging because of its ability to minimize the strain your battery faces during charging. 

Slow charging is more beneficial than fast charging in the following ways:

Preserving Older Devices 

Smartphones that are a few years old may not be designed to handle the high currents of modern fast chargers. For instance, the REDMAGIC 7 Pro can take on an impressive 65W of charging power, while the REDMAGIC 9 Pro can take it a notch further with up to 80W of power. Using a slow charger with older devices can prevent potential damage and ensure safer charging.

Battery Health and Energy Efficiency 

Slow charging generates less heat compared to fast charging, which can help in maintaining the battery’s health over a longer period. Excessive heat from fast charging can degrade the battery’s chemical components more quickly, reducing its overall lifespan. Even with the proper care, most Android smartphones including REDMAGIC devices have a lifespan of about 3 to 5 years because the battery starts to lose power after this period. 

Because of this, slow charging is often more energy-efficient because it reduces the heat loss associated with higher current levels used in fast charging. This efficiency can lead to less electricity consumption over time.

Overnight Charging

Charging a smartphone overnight with a slow charger ensures that the device is fully charged by morning without causing unnecessary stress to the battery. It also minimizes the risk of overheating, which can happen with fast chargers left plugged in for extended periods.

Temperature Control

Our innovative internal cooling mechanisms are proof that temperature management is one of the best features of REDMAGIC devices, from  REDMAGIC 5 all the way up to the latest generation. However, that doesn’t mean that the phone isn’t prone to heat. In environments with extreme temperatures, slow charging is safer as it reduces the risk of battery overheating or overcooling, which can be exacerbated by the high currents of fast charging.

 

Slow Charge for Optimal Performance Over Time 

 

While the latest flagship smartphones boast impressive battery life, large capacities, and fast charging capabilities, it’s crucial to consider the long-term effects of these features on battery health. Although fast charging your REDMAGIC gaming smartphone offers convenience and allows you to get back to gaming quicker, it can accelerate battery degradation due to increased heat generation. 

In contrast, slow charging, which can be viewed as “not fast charging,” provides several benefits such as preserving older devices, enhancing battery health and energy efficiency, ensuring safe overnight charging, and better temperature control in extreme environments.

By understanding and utilizing slow charging, you can maximize the lifespan and performance of your REDMAGIC gaming smartphone, and every other flagship device that boast fast charging batteries, ensuring you get the most out of your devices in the years to come.