Cold winter temperatures can cause smartphone batteries to drain faster due to chemical changes in lithium-ion cells. Experts explain why this happens and how users can reduce battery loss.
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| Phone batteries often lose power quickly in cold weather because low temperatures slow chemical reactions inside lithium-ion cells, a problem that usually reverses when the device warms up. Image: CH |
Tech Desk – December 26, 2025:
As winter temperatures fall, smartphone users frequently notice that their battery levels drop far more quickly than usual. Phones may lose power rapidly outdoors or even shut down without warning. Although many people assume this means their device is aging or defective, scientists and manufacturers agree that cold-weather battery drain is a normal and well-understood physical phenomenon.
Most modern smartphones are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which generate electricity through the movement of lithium ions between electrodes inside the battery. This movement depends on a liquid electrolyte that performs best at moderate temperatures. When the temperature drops to around 10 to 15 degrees Celsius or lower, the electrolyte thickens, slowing ion flow and increasing internal resistance. As a result, the battery must expend more energy to deliver the same performance, leading to faster power loss.
The impact becomes more severe in freezing conditions. Researchers have found that at temperatures below zero degrees Celsius, a lithium-ion battery’s effective capacity can drop by as much as 70 percent. This does not mean the battery is permanently damaged, but rather that much of its energy becomes temporarily inaccessible until the device warms up.
Major smartphone manufacturers have acknowledged these limitations. Apple has stated that iPhones may automatically shut down in cold environments and recommends operating temperatures between 0 and 35 degrees Celsius. Samsung has issued similar guidance, warning that phones consume more power during winter and advising users to keep devices warm, such as in a pocket close to the body. Sudden shutdowns often occur because cold temperatures lower battery voltage, causing the phone’s power management system to interpret the charge level as critically low.
Older batteries are particularly vulnerable to winter conditions. After roughly 500 charge cycles, lithium-ion batteries naturally degrade, and their chemical structure becomes more sensitive to temperature changes. This is why older phones often experience sharper battery drops in cold weather compared with newer devices.
Cold temperatures can also make charging risky. When a battery is very cold, lithium ions may fail to properly enter the electrodes, leading to metallic lithium buildup. This process can permanently reduce battery capacity and, in rare cases, pose safety risks. For this reason, experts advise allowing a phone to warm up before charging and avoiding charging in environments below 10 degrees Celsius.
Despite these challenges, winter battery drain is usually temporary. Once a phone returns to a warmer environment, the chemical reactions inside the battery normalize and performance improves. Understanding how cold weather affects battery chemistry can help users manage expectations and protect their devices during the colder months without assuming permanent damage.