It’s not just humans who aren’t enjoying this icy Arctic blast – your smartphone can’t cope in the cold either.
You may have already noticed it being glitchy, perhaps the touch screen has been behaving oddly, or more likely, your battery is dying even faster than normal.
With the chill set to continue, tech expert Christoph Cemper has issued a warning for iPhone owners to be aware of the effects freezing temperatures can have on your device.
‘Ever wondered why your iPhone suddenly powers down faster than a snowball rolling downhill?,’ said Christoph, from AIPRM.com.
‘Well, extreme cold temperatures are no friend to your gadget. In the icy throes of winter, your iPhone’s battery faces a serious struggle. Leave it out in the cold, and you might find yourself wondering why it’s playing hard to get.
‘This chilly weather doesn’t just slow down your iPhone, it throws its battery performance off balance, leaving you in the lurch. In some cases, your iPhone might just decide to call it quits and turn off entirely.’
The issue, says Christoph, is the lithium-ion batteries that power almost all smartphones – meaning it isn’t just Apple devices that get the chills.
‘It’s those lithium-ion batteries that decide to go on a strike in freezing temperatures, refusing to discharge electricity.
‘This rebellion leads to a shortened battery life, display glitches, and, if you’re really unlucky, a shattered display glass.’
Both Apple and Samsung recommend that phones are used between 0C and 35C – because high temperatures can be even worse for your device.
‘Low- or high-temperature conditions might cause your device to change its behavior to regulate its temperature,’ notes Apple. ‘Using an iOS or iPadOS device in very hot conditions can permanently shorten battery life.
‘Store your device where the temperature is between -20C and 45C. Don’t leave your device in your car, because temperatures in parked cars can exceed this range.’
Samsung adds: ‘Continuous use or charging in extreme temperatures may accelerate battery deterioration.
‘Temporary exposure to extreme temperatures will activate the device’s safeguards to minimise the battery performance issues, and charging will be limited to protect the battery if the temperature goes outside of a certain range.’
How to protect your phone in cold weather
So, what can you actually do to look after your phone?
Well in an ideal world it would stay indoors, tucked up and kept at a lovely ambient temperature – something we’d all love.
Unfortunately that isn’t always possible, so if you will be outside for long periods of time, there are a few things you can do to keep it in the best shape possible:
- Charge it before you go out We know the battery might drain faster, so give yourself the best change of keeping it going
- Turn on battery-saver mode No explanation needed
- Buy a weatherproof cover Yes, it’s annoying to keep taking your phone in and out of what is essentially a tiny sleeping bag, but it will help keep it toasty
- Wear a watch If you have a smartwatch, you can keep your phone safely tucked in an inside pocket for longer, where it can sap some of your own dwindling body heat. Remember, you don’t actually have to reply to WhatsApps immediately
- Have back-ups Be sure that, if your phone does die, you won’t be stuck. If you’re travelling, take a battery pack, and maps or other navigation tools so you won’t be stuck if you no longer have Google Maps
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