My singular8125 started to act up few weeks ago. It will die on me after 10 minutes of usage and it keeps rebooting each time it searches for a signal. Before tossing of my 2 year old investment I decided to consider getting a new battery.
It was a bit surprising to see a range of prices from 2$ up to 30$. So I decided to get something around 10$. My purchase was done at Buy.com. The service was good, but it took USPS almost 2 weeks to arrive!
Yesterday I tried the new thing and it seems to be working. I did some research to see the best way to use a new battery, only to discover the following facts:
1. First off, if you need a new battery after following all the recommendations below, make sure you buy a new battery. Most online resellers are selling used batteries and calling them OEM. The battery you will receive will be wrapped in bubble wrap or paper. Make sure your battery comes in a retail package. You don't want to replace a used battery with someone else's used battery. And that was my first mistake since I got something that was manually wrapped in a plastic bag.
2. DO NOT fully discharge a lithium-ion battery! Unlike Ni-Cd batteries, lithium-ion batteries' life is shortened every time you fully discharge them. Instead, charge them when the battery meter shows one bar left. Lithium-ion batteries, like most rechargeable batteries have a set amount of chargers in them.
3. When buying lithium ion batteries, be aware that oxidation begins at the time of manufacture, not the time of first use. As such, older lithium batteries will have reduced capacity (about 20% per year stored at room temperature). If you buy a battery at a clearance sale price, expect that you will get less life out of the mobile phone.
I felt a bit concerned after reading such material. But it is only 10$ after all, I will see how long this battery will last me. I guess one more year will be acceptable. Then it might be the time to switch to a new phone.
Sourse: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Cell-Phone-Battery-Last-Longer
