There are a range of different mobile
phone, video camera/camcorder and digital
camera batteries out there with varying
capacities and battery chemistry. We will
explain what the differences are for each
battery chemistry and try to clear up
the jargon used on the labels of mobile
phone batteries. There have been several
developments in battery technology and
below, we will outline each battery chemistry's
features, pros and cons and their applications
to mobile phones today.
"Memory Effect" in Batteries
Memory affect refers to the need for
certain batteries to be "serviced" by
regularly discharging the battery completely
before recharging. Ni-Cad batteries are
the main type of battery chemistry that
requires this cycling and newer types
of batteries such as Li-Ion and NiMH do
not suffer from memory affect.
Battery Capacity Ratings
A battery capacity rating refers to the
load or current that can be placed on
a specific battery type. The battery capacity
rating is usually measured in milliampres
(mAH)
Ni-Cad (Nickel Cadmium) Batteries
In the past, majority of rechargable
batteries used in portable devices such
as mobile phones, camcorders and cordless
phones used Nickel Cadmium as the main
battery chemistry. Although this type
of battery has drawbacks such as the "memory
effect", it is still one of the most commonly
used battery in cordless phones, CD players,
Radios and other portable devices due
to their low cost per battery cycle. The
use of these batteries in mobile phones
today is rare due to their memory effect
problems and inconveniences. Despite these
obvious drawbacks, it also has environmental
implications due to the metal used to
manufacture these batteries and are fast
becoming replaced by Nickel Metal Hydride
Batteries.
NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) Batteries
NiMH batteries are one of the growing
battery chemistries today mainly due to
the fact that it does not suffer from
memory effects like a NiCad battery does.
Because of this advantage, they are mainly
used in Laptops and mobile phones and
sometimes also as a battery source for
video cameras and digital cameras. This
is an important and main feature that
makes NiMH batteries attractive as consumers
are not burdened by having to "service"
their batteries by discharging it fully
before recharging. They also have a higher
capacity rating compared to Ni-Cad (approx
30% higher) and Alkaline batteries, however
their main drawback is that these batteries
self-discharge over a short period of
time which makes them not suitable for
storage.
Li-Ion (Lithium-Ion) Batteries
These batteries are quite new to the
market and have the lowest discharge rating
compared to Ni-Cad and NiMH batteries.
They do not suffer from memory effect
and is one of the most commonly used type
of batteries in mobile phones today. They
have an excellent power to weight ratio
which makes them highly attractive to
portable devices such as mobile phones,
video cameras and digital cameras. All
our mobile phone batteries we offer are
Li-Ion as they are superior compared to
other battery alternatives.
Li-Polymer
This is relatively new and we are beginning
to see more of these batteries appear
in mobile phones today. They are considered
as the best battery chemistry today for
mobile devices due to their high capacity
and low weight. Li-Polymer batteries do
not suffer from "memory loss".
This article was posted on November
26, 2005
