25/07/2026 03:48 - Tecnologia
Those who lived through the transition from traditional mobile phones to smartphones experienced a technological revolution. However, modern devices, packed with screens and apps, rarely exceed two days of battery life. Faced with this limitation, the industry opted for fast charging as a standard solution: instead of installing larger batteries, companies decided to reduce charging time.
According to reports published in July 2026 by National Geographic, proprietary technologies can charge a device from 0% to 100% in less than 10 minutes. For example, Realme's SuperVOOC at 240W charges a 4,600 mAh battery in about 10 minutes, while Xiaomi's HyperCharge at 210W recharges 4,300 mAh in just 9 minutes. In contrast, manufacturers like Samsung, Google, and Apple maintain lower power levels in their high-end models, usually between 100W and 120W.
The main drawback of fast charging is the amount of heat it generates. Lithium-ion batteries, which dominate today's market, suffer natural degradation over time and are especially sensitive to high temperatures. By increasing the charging current, heat rises, accelerating wear.
This process can cause lithium deposition on the electrode surface, reducing storage capacity. Researcher Stanislaw Zankowski from the University of Oxford compares this process to traffic in a city: 'We can imagine lithium ions as a traffic flow. Fast charging means accelerating that flow without causing congestion.' If ions don't enter the cathode in time, they form needle-like crystals called dendrites, which can pierce internal layers and cause short circuits. In extreme cases, overheating can lead to thermal runaway, deforming the battery or causing fires.
Professor Jiang Zhiyuan from Xi'an Jiaotong University (China) explains that conventional charging uses a lower current, generating less heat and stress. To mitigate the risks of fast charging, modern batteries incorporate Battery Management Systems (BMS). These systems continuously monitor voltage, current, and temperature, automatically reducing charging speed if the device gets too hot.
A similar phenomenon occurs in electric vehicles, where fast chargers can add hundreds of kilometers of range in short stops, but require strict temperature control. Manufacturers redesign the internal architecture of cells and use materials that facilitate ion passage to reduce electrical resistance.
For those looking to take the best care of their devices, experts recommend following these simple and effective guidelines:
Sources: Infobae and National Geographic.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
