MacDirectory Magazine

Charlie Adlard

MacDirectory magazine is the premiere creative lifestyle magazine for Apple enthusiasts featuring interviews, in-depth tech reviews, Apple news, insights, latest Apple patents, apps, market analysis, entertainment and more.

Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/1176476

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designed to spec, or possibly even if the Lightning to USB- C cable interfered with the negotiation, it's definitely possible for the charger to supply too much voltage. We suspect this is one of the main reasons why Apple took so long to license its Lightning to USB- C chips even to its own MFi partners. We strongly recommend against ever buying a USB-C to Lightning cable from anybody but Apple or a known Apple- certified MFi partner. The higher power levels employed by USB-PD chargers — up to 100 watts, or 20 volts at five amps — make this a much more serious risk; pumping 20 volts into your iPhone because your cable/charger failed to negotiate the proper charging profile is guaranteed to permanently fry your iPhone's internal components, and you might even get some nice acrid blue smoke to go along with it. 1. So Why Do iPhone Batteries Explode? So if it's not the charger or the cable, why do we hear stories of iPhone batteries exploding? The most common scenario where this happens is third- party battery replacements. While you may save a few bucks by getting your battery replaced at that local sketchy electronics shop, you're taking a serious risk by doing so. Not only are the batteries themselves potentially substandard, but modern batteries also include electronic circuitry which helps to handle the charging and power regulation. In fact, the problem with counterfeit third-party batteries has gotten so bad that Apple may soon be locking down replacements to ensure that they're done properly at Apple-authorized repair shops. There's already a feature in iOS 13 that will let you know if you have an unauthorized battery, but for now at least this is just informational. While third-party batteries are the number one cause of exploding iPhones by a sizeable margin, there is also the rare possibility of defective or damaged charging circuitry in a particular iPhone that prevents it from knowing when to stop charging the battery, and of course if you let your iPhone get overheated by doing things like leaving it in direct sunlight or in a hot car, that can certainly contribute to battery problems. Along the same lines, it's always good to charge your iPhone in a cooler environment, and remove any bulky cases, especially when using fast charging, which will heat up the battery even more. Even though the risk of battery fires from charging is extremely small, these are good practices any way as following them will help to prolong the life of your iPhone's rechargeable battery. Images courtesy of www.idropnews.com

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