Does excess heat damage your phone?

This is a myth that actually holds up: Excess heat can spell trouble for your device, affecting performance and potentially causing damage to its internal components.

How hot is too hot?

Much like you and me, smartphones are designed to operate within a specific temperature range.

Manufacturers typically recommend that smartphones be used in environments with temperatures between 0 to 35 degrees Celsius. Within this range, your phone functions optimally, delivering peak performance without any adverse effects.

What happens when your phone overheats?

When your phone exceeds its recommended temperature range, it can lead to a host of issues.

Excessive heat can cause your phone to experience performance issues such as slowdowns, freezes, and unexpected shutdowns.

Moreover, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can pose a significant risk to your phone's lithium-ion battery.

A lithium-ion battery is a complex little parcel filled with a bunch of components, some of them very sensitive to excess heat. Keeping them cool is vital for safety, performance, and longevity.

Excessive heat can lead to safety risks like thermal runaway, where the battery expands, rapidly heats up and may catch fire. It also degrades battery performance, reducing capacity and lifespan.

To prevent damage and ensure user safety, smartphones are equipped with built-in temperature monitoring systems.

When your phone reaches a critical temperature threshold, typically around 45 degrees Celsius, it will automatically initiate safety measures to prevent overheating. This may include throttling performance, dimming the screen, or even shutting down entirely until the temperature returns to a safe level.

How to keep your phone cool

To protect your phone from excess heat, it's essential to take proactive measures.

Check out our guide on how to keep your phone cool to find out more about beating the heat.

Remember to treat your phone like the valuable asset it is, and always prioritise its well-being to enjoy uninterrupted performance for years to come.