Battery Frequently Asked Questions and Wireless Guru's Tips: Back to Top

Q.1 OEM? What does it mean?
Q.2  What is the standard Cellular Phone battery’s Capacity?
Q.3 What’s mA?
Q.4 How many Different types of cellular batteries exists?
Q.5 Average Life Cycle of Cellular Phone battery?
Q.6 My charger shows that my battery is fully charged, but it’s not working… why?
Q.7 My Phone is dead, how do I make sure its the Battery or the charger that is not working?
Q.8 Will my cellular phone work if I use a battery brand that is different than the brand of my device?
Q.9 I just received my new battery - Why isn’t it working?
Q.10 How to get Optimum Output from your batteries?
Q.11 How to store your un-used Cellular Phone Battery?
Q.12 Disposal of Old Battery?

- OEM? What does it mean?

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) - Top

- What is the standard Cellular Phone battery’s Capacity?

Battery Capacity is mostly counted with the amount of charge it can store. Most standard batteries are anywhere between 500mA to 900 mA.  - Top

- What’s mA?

mA is the unit of electric charge. MA is pronounced as “milli-Amperes” or simply milli amp! The More mA your battery will have, the longer talk time and stand by time will you get from your phone. - Top

- Types of Batteries:

Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) is the most popular type of rechargeable battery, although it tends to suffer from “memory effect” (see below). It has a high rate of energy discharge, meaning that it is low maintenance with high performance. Nickel Cadmium can deliver even power until nearly all of the battery has been used. - Top

Nickel Metal Hydride (NiH) is the most advanced commercial rechargeable battery. Nickel Metal Hydride batteries last 40% longer than Nickel Cadmium batteries. This battery is generally much more environmentally friendly than Nickel Cadmium, as well.  Not used in Cellular Phone Batteries. - Top

Lithium Ion (Li-ION) batteries do not suffer from the “memory effect” at all (see below). These batteries have twice the energy of Nickel Metal Hydride, although they weigh 33% less. This is especially nice for portable items, such as laptops, camcorders and cellular phones. Most new cellular Phone batteries are made with Lithium Ion Batteries.  This type of battery is the best Choice. - Top

- Average Life Cycle of Cellular Phone battery?

Under normal conditions, the life of a rechargeable battery is anywhere from 500 to 800 charge-discharge cycles under optimum conditions. On an average, most Cellular Phone batteries will last between 10 months to 24 months. A decrease in the battery’s running time is the best indication that it is time for a new battery. - Top

- My charger shows that my battery is fully charged, but it’s not working… why?

This is known as “false peak” and is very common condition during first time battery use (or using a battery that has been discharged for several months). The charger light may go out after only five or ten minutes, indicating that it is fully charged when it is not. Should this happen, simply leave the battery on the charger for about an hour. Remove it, and return it to the charger immediately. The battery will resume normal charging and the charger light will indicate when the batter is ready for use. - Top

- My Phone is dead, how do I make sure its the Battery or the charger that is not working?

Simple questions that you may wanna ask yourself?

Before the phone stopped working, was the battery holding regular charges for normal periods or was it getting discharged really quickly?

----> if your answer is that it was already showing weak signs of holding the charge that the possibility is that your battery's life cycle has met its end. You should get a new Battery for your phone.

----> If your answer is No than look for problems with your Charger. Look for places on the cord that may have been cut or exposed. Look at the mini LED light and see if it is turning on. If you do find out that the charger has a cut cord or the LED isnt working, probably you may have to get a new Charger for your phone. 

If everything looks good on your charger, than move to the next step.

----> "Plug in Turn On Test" (this test only works on new Phones that have been manufactured within past 2 years) 

Take off your phone battery. Plug the Charger directly into your phone (Home Charger that plugs into the bottom of your phone. If you have a desktop charger, than we suggest that you try this test with your Car Charger). Turn on the power on your phone. If your phone turns on than the problem area lies within your battery and thats the only thing that you need to replace. If the phone doesnt turn on at all, maybe the problem lies within your phone. We suggest that you take the phone to your nearest service center. - Top

- Will my cellular phone work if I use a battery brand that is different than the brand of my device?

Due to technological advancements, replacement batteries or “after market” batteries will often last longer than the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) batteries that came with your device. Although Manufacturer always suggest to only use their manufactured battery but our research has shown that Original as well as Branded (sometimes also called after market) batteries are mostly manufactured by the same manufacturer overseas. We suggest that you should pick the one you feel most comfortable with. Most of the times, you can buy branded batteries at half the cost of OEM batteries. - Top

- I just received my new battery - Why isn’t it working?

Don’t worry. There is nothing wrong with your battery. Your battery will arrive to you in a discharged condition. Therefore, it must be charged in order for it to work. We recommend that new batteries should be charged and discharged two to four times in order to allow them to reach their capacity. - Top

- How to get Optimum Output from your batteries?

There are several things that you can do to ensure the maximum production from your battery:

·         Never leave your battery in its charger for more than 24 hours. Doing so will shorten the life of your battery.

·         Break in your new batteries. The best way to do this is by fully charging and discharging your new battery several times in order to reach its maximum capacity.

·         Keep your batteries clean. Clean dirty batteries with a cotton swab and alcohol. A clean battery will ensure a good connection between your battery and its device.

·         Do not leave your battery dormant. Generally, a battery should be used every two to three weeks. - Top

- How to store your un-used Cellular Phone Battery?

Batteries should never be left in direct sunlight or in extreme temperatures (below 30 degrees Fahrenheit or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit). They should always be stored in a cool and dry place and should be fully charged before being stored for long periods of time. - Top

- Disposal of Old Battery?

Old batteries are harmful if disposed off in the environment or in fire. We suggest that you dispose them off at your local recycling facility. Batteries contain toxic metals and chemicals. Humans and animals should never be exposed to such toxics. - Top