How to Select the Correct Cell Phone Battery

Cell phones have become not only a convenience, but a necessity in today's world of business and communication. We take for granted the fact that we can make or receive a phone call from practically anywhere in the world. In order to perform effectively and efficiently, cell phone manufacturers have developed better battery technology.

The cell phone battery is one of the most important components in its construction. The size and type of battery has a great determination on the size, weight and performance of modern cell phones. In fact, cell phones have decreased in size in large part, relative to the size of the battery. Of course, there are as many different battery configurations as there are cell phone manufacturers, but the real distinction to be made is what material and technology makes up the battery cell. By taking a look at the types of materials batteries used in the past, today and in the near future, one can get an idea of future performance.

Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) Batteries were the first to be widely used in cell phones. They provided the ability to recharge, and could be made relatively small and still have enough efficiency to provide effective performance. They are relatively inexpensive but have a memory effect. This means that if the battery is not fully discharged before recharging a memory can be created. This means that eventually the battery will stop performing while it still has some power left in it. This is obviously greatly inconvenient and not cost effective.

Nickel Metal Hydrid (NiMH) Batteries are a variation on the NiCd batteries which eliminates cadmium from the design. Cadmium is an expensive and toxic heavy metal with disposal problems. Also, the Nickel Metal Hydrid battery has very little memory effect.

Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) Batteries are the most popular current cell battery technology. They are small, light, and powerful and exhibit no memory effect. They are used in most high end cell phones. Their only real drawback is their expense but the performance and size make them highly cost effective.

Li-Polymer (Lithium Polymer) represents the newest in cell battery technology. They have the advantage of being even smaller than Li-Ion batteries at the same output and a faster charging rate. They are still quite rare but as the cost to manufacture drops they will begin to be used in the next generation of cell phones.

A fully charged battery is essential to getting the best performance out of your phone so no matter what type of cell battery you have; make sure to keep it fully charged. Knowing what cell phone battery type is available is more important than picking out other cell phone accessories and will help you make an informed decision for your next phone purchase.