Excessive Heat and Its Impact on Cell Phones in Montana

While out doing live remote broadcasts at the 2023 Montana State Fair, it occurred to me the heat probably isn't all that great for my phone.

After a few calls, the thing was cooking!

Well, turns out there are several issues that excessive heat can cause.

After some research, here's what I found out.

How Excessive Heat Affects Cell Phones

Battery Performance

High temperatures accelerate chemical reactions within the lithium-ion batteries commonly used in smartphones.

This leads to increased self-discharge rates, reduced battery capacity, and potentially permanent damage, shortening the battery's lifespan.

Research has shown that exposure to high temperatures, especially above 35°C (95°F), can significantly reduce a smartphone's battery life.

A study conducted by researchers at Purdue University found that a lithium-ion battery stored at 60°C (140°F) could lose 20% of its capacity in just three months.

Processor and Performance

Mobile phone processors can also be negatively affected by heat.

Excessive heat can cause thermal throttling, where the phone's CPU automatically reduces its speed to prevent overheating.

This results in slower performance and may cause apps to crash or freeze.

Screen Damage

Prolonged exposure to heat can lead to screen discoloration, image retention, or even permanent screen damage, affecting the visual experience and potentially rendering the device unusable.

Internal Components

Heat can cause specific internal components, such as camera modules or connectors, to become brittle and prone to failure, leading to potential malfunctioning or permanent damage.

Real-Life Impact
The biggest issue I've experienced is the fact that the stupid thing shuts off unexpectedly.

In such regions, users often experience difficulties charging their phones to total capacity due to the excessive heat interfering with charging processes.

Keep it cool, folks!

Check out these old-school phones!