MTS: Cellphone first charge

[Mr. T]

So, I finally caved in and bought a cellphone (after a near 4 year struggle against them... 'tis a long story). This one, in case you're curious.

Now, the clerk at the store told me that I should first fully charge it for 24 hours before using it (so that the battery can last longer, bla bla). I've seen and used several other portable devices where the manual mention this, and I've fully complied with this. Yet the manual I got for this cellphone... doesn't even mention this. It just mentions how to charge it like any other device. I doesn't mention anything about a 'first charge'.

I can tell by the blue light on the cover that the device is already fully charged, and even the screen tells me so. Should I just unhook it or should I wait a few more hours 'til the 24 hour quota is fulfilled?

[Andrusi]

Go ahead and let it keep charging for a while. My brother unhooked his early and after that it wouldn't behave properly. 24 hours is probably longer than is actually needed, but better safe than sorry.

[Admin]

Mine never said anything about 24 hours.... when I first got my cellphone, I was told to "keep it charging in one go until it says it's completely full", and "maybe a bit longer just to be sure".
Still, it doesn't hurt to keep it on the charger for a good while just in case. I don't think it'll be a big deal if it's 22, 20, or even just 12 hours, but yeah. Like Andy said. Better safe then sorry.

[Mr. T]

Very well then.
I'll wait the remaining... 3 hours.

Thanks.

[Epon]

www.zbattery.com/memoryeffect.html

[Robert]

epon said:

www.zbattery.com/memoryeffect.html

My prior cellphone was down to about a 10 minute operation max per charge. Since I got it replaced (entire phone, since the battery cost just as much as a new one...), I'm going to play it safe and let it run down before charging it anyway.

[Sz]

The ion batteries are still pretty sketchy, so I'd follow any manufacturer provided advice I got. ;>

[Oni Lukos]

Bah, Li-ion batteries are ages ahead of NiMH or NiCad batteries.

[Sz]

onilukos said:

Bah, Li-ion batteries are ages ahead of NiMH or NiCad batteries.

Also true. But even Li-ion batteries have pretty obscene failure rates.

Durability sucks for all these things, even the Li-ion (get in the car!) ... so being prudent means taking as many precautions as you can, so you can get 2 years out of the thing instead of 1.

[Oni Lukos]

I dunno, you can usually get two years out of a Li-ion, but after that they do get pretty bad.