The trick to never run out of battery: how to transform an old cell phone into a portable charger

Few things annoy the user more than Run out of battery before arriving home. Hyperconnectivity, excessive use of social networks and video consumption are responsible for a energy drain without precedents. For this reason, a few years ago the power banksexternal batteries that can charge a smartphone anywhere. But what if that role is covered by a antique phone?

Today’s smartphones generally have large, integrated batteries, which range between 4000 and 5000 mAh (milliampere/hour), and which cannot be extracted like those models from more than a decade ago.

If you have one with one discarded in a desk or closet drawer and whose battery is removableit could be salvation.

The trick is that Most cell phone batteries are the same. or very similar. Therefore, it will be possible to use that old energy storage source as a spare.

You just have to make sure that your old phone’s battery is charged. Then, the user can carry it along with the secondary phone or just the battery. And the moment the device runs out of battery proceed to change.

It must also be clear that handling removable batteries they are not dangerous, but precautions must be taken when handling them outside of the phone. For example, they may be more likely to be damaged if dropped or bumped, which may cause fluid leaks or overheat if used in extreme conditionssuch as very high or very low temperatures.

On the other hand, The problem with this trick is that there are few cell phones in 2024 with a removable battery that are sold worldwide. The most recognized are Fairphone 5, TCL ION V and Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro, but they are not sold in Argentina. The other complication is the need to have two cell phones with the same battery model.

Another option to use your old mobile phone as a kind of “homemade” power bank is the reverse charging functionif the devices are compatible.

Some cell phones have the ability to manage their battery power to charge other devices. Thus, in the event that that outdated smartphone has this charging option, it could be use as external batterythe same way you would do it with a power bank.

The main smartphone models that are compatible with reverse charging are the following:

• Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro.
• Xiaomi Mi 10.
• Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro.
• Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra.
• Xiaomi Mi 11.
• Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra.
• Samsung Galaxy S10.
• Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus.
• Samsung Galaxy S10e.
• Samsung Galaxy S20.
• Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus.
• Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra.
• Samsung Galaxy Note 10.
• Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus.
• Samsung Galaxy Note 20.
• Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
• Samsung Galaxy Fold.
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2.
• Motorola Edge+.

The differences between each product, including battery capacity, power ports and physical size, are usually the main items to consider when choosing external battery which will serve as an emergency in case the cell phone runs out of charge.

The theoretical mAh provided by the manufacturer does not correspond to reality due to the contribution of factors such as the efficiency of the device itself or the operating temperature.

Furthermore, as also happens with cell phones, Portable batteries have a finite life cycle. That is, it will progressively lose capacity. A good estimate of its real capacity is to approximate it to 60-70% of its theoretical capacity.

Regardless of the phone connector, The portable battery charges through the USB port at one end. It is important to know that this cable is not included in many models.

Furthermore, this type of battery is usually powered through a micro-USB port or a USB-C. This cable is included when purchasing them, but not its charger.

Another option in this segment allows you to load the cell phone wirelesslysimply placing the phone on its surface, if it has this feature.

It is not only important to look for a model that has the appropriate ports, but also to know the number of ports in case of charging several devices simultaneously, and their specifications: 5W (5V, 1A) is slow and 10W (5V, 2A) is fast.

We must also keep in mind the models that allow several devices to be charged at the same time, since they have multiple cables for all types of connectors: from micro USB or USB-C to Lightning from old iPhones.

Although the electrical charge is not distributed uniformly, with a tendency to have a fast port and a slow port, this type of battery implements an intelligent system that distributes it.

The charging speed is another important data, but not only in regards to charging a phone, but also for the battery itself. If you choose a portable battery with fast charging, you will have to use a charger that allows it.

In terms of charging speed, connectivity and price, Anker PowerCore 20100 brings out its main virtues. With a large battery capacity of 20,100 mAh, the phones can receive more than two full charges during the day.

Slim and sharp in design, the Anker PowerCore 20100 battery can charge two devices simultaneously through its pair of 2.4-amp USB ports, and if those devices use PowerIQ or VoltageBoost fast charging, it will do so faster.

The Adata brand has 4 different models of Power banks, but the ADATA C20 model is very successful in several countries in the region due to its extreme quality, durability and excellent price.

According to its characteristics, the ADATA C20 external battery offers a power of 3.7V / 20,000mAh (74Wh), allowing efficient charging of up to three devices simultaneously through two USB-A ports and one USB-C port.

Furthermore, its built-in LED indicator provides a clear display of the power status, while multiple circuit protection mechanisms ensure the safety of the device, protecting against overcharge, over discharge, over temperature, short circuit, over voltage and over current, providing complete peace of mind to users. users.

“Unfortunately I have to say that today in Argentina products from totally unknown brands are being consumed, what we call “cheap products”… But you have to be very careful with this due to two risks, the main one is that absolutely They always end up damaging the battery of our devices that we connect there, and on the other hand there is also a great risk that the internal batteries of these chargers overheat and explode,” says Fabio Selvaggio, country manager of Argentina and Uruguay for the ADATA brand.

The renowned brand of portable radios with more than 60 years of history, Spica, sells its SW-400 portable charger with a percentage indicator that allows you to display the amount of energy.

This power bank has the ability to charge almost any device (smartphone, tablet, smartBand) through its four USB, USB-C, micro USB and Lightning (iPhone) connectors.

With a capacity of 20,000 mAh, Spica ensures that up to six mobile devices, tablets, cameras, and smartwatches can be charged simultaneously.

The other Chinese technology giant also has its product in the portable battery segment. One with the capacity of 13000 mAh that allows you to charge cell phones, tablets or smart watches anywhere and at any time.

Depending on its capacity, users can charge an old iPhone 6 five times or any current Samsung or Motorola model up to two times a day. In addition, it has two USB ports to recharge two devices at the same time.