Phone Battery Draining or Swelling?
7 Habits to Extend Life in NZ/AU
Keep your phone safer and lasting longer. Spot early risk signals, follow practical charging habits, and know where to recycle batteries in New Zealand and Australia.
Swelling can lift screen/back glass
Christchurch · Auckland
What We See In-Store (Symptoms)
Value Proof
We replace 5–10 batteries daily. Most cases are fast drain or swelling that lifts screens/back glass. Early checks prevent secondary damage.
“Yes, that’s me” (Common Pattern)
100% → 80% in minutes → 20% → shutdown.
Swollen packs can push up the display or back panel, causing cracks or frame separation.
7 Habits to Extend Battery Life
- Keep charge between 20–80%. Avoid constant 0–100% cycles.
- Limit heat. Don’t leave phones in hot cars; remove thick cases while charging.
- Use fast charge only when needed. Daily use is safer at standard speed.
- Avoid overnight 100% trickle charging.
- Use safety-certified chargers/cables. Tested products reduce risk.
- Treat “battery health %” as an estimate. Judge by real symptoms: fast drain, sudden shutdowns, heat.
- Get service early if swelling signs appear. Gaps, lifted screens, warped backs need immediate attention.
Using While Charging — Caution
Using your phone during charging is possible, but the device draws extra current and heats up. For longevity:
- Avoid long calls, gaming, or heavy tasks while charging.
- Prefer standard-speed charging; use fast charge only when needed.
- Remove thick cases while charging to improve heat dissipation.
- If the device shows swelling/heat/frame lift, stop and get it checked.
Summary: heavy use + charging = extra heat → faster wear. Keep it cool and steady.
Battery Swelling Risks
- Cover glass only: shards/moisture may harm deeper layers — repair early.
- Digitizer damage: ghost touches, touch dead zones.
- Panel damage: bleeding, lines, blackout → prompt replacement.
What Swollen Batteries Look Like
Example of a swollen battery lifting the screen seam (Source: Tom’s Guide).
Bulging lithium battery — recycling & fire-risk example (Source: NEDT).
Recycle Batteries Safely (NZ / AU)
New Zealand
Australia
Drop-off policy: Repair customers can leave the old battery with us at no charge.
For battery-only drop-offs (no repair), a small handling & compliance fee applies to cover safe storage and certified disposal.