The evolution of cell phone batteries has altered the type of battery found in mobile devices. The first type of battery used in mobile phones was the nickel cadmium, but by 2010, the majority of new cell phones were equipped with lithium ion batteries.
History
Nickel cadmium batteries were used in early cell phones before being replaced by nickel metal hydride batteries that allowed a 30 percent increase in battery life over nickel cadmium, according to Cell Power. Both of these types of batteries were susceptible to the memory effect, where charging before the battery was completely drained reduced the available battery life.
Lithium
Lithium ion batteries are both lighter and carry more power than their predecessors. Compared to nickel metal hydride batteries, lithium are 20 to 35 percent lighter and offer a 10 to 20 percent increase in battery life, according to Cell Power.
Technology
Despite offering an increase in battery life, lithium ion batteries are failing to keep up with the technology found on smartphones, according to a 2008 MSNBC report. Lithium ion batteries offer cell phone talk time of between three and seven hours on most phones, which is quickly reduced when technology, such as video and web browsing, are used on a cell phone.
Tags: battery life, cell phone, increase battery, increase battery life, according Cell, according Cell Power