Why the iPhone 5 battery dies in cold weather? Unexpected reasons

Why does the iPhone 5 battery dies in cold weather? Have you ever asked this question before? Cold weather will bring us perfect together moments near a fire or exciting skiing but it also makes poor battery performance. Many situations blame that your iPhone is possible to suddenly die in spite of 30% battery life left. Today, Weather Forecast will be with you to find the reasons for the circumstance as well as ways to prevent it.

Why the iPhone 5 battery dies in cold weather? Unexpected reasons.

Why the iPhone 5 battery dies in cold weather?

The people who live in cold weather often meet the situation of the iPhone 5 battery dies in cold weather. When the temperature drops very low, the battery life span diminishes quickly. Within a few minutes, the battery can drop from 100% to 3% or even 1% enough power to shut down the device. 

The cause is due to the material of its battery. All iPhones versions use a type of battery with the name of Lithium-Ion (or abbreviated Li-ion) and so does the iPhone 5. This type of battery is the most common technological battery used for rechargeable devices.

The biggest advantage of the Li-ion batteries is that they can charge fairly quickly and you do not need to wait for it to be completely depleted before recharging. However, it is still better if you charge it at 20% battery instead of waiting for your phone to die.  

Unfortunately, these batteries do not work so well when the temperature outside drops. According to Apple, your iPhone device is designed to perform well in a wide range of ambient temperatures, with 62° to 72° F (16° to 22° C) as the ideal comfort zone. Besides, it is also warned that you should not let your phone in ambient temperatures higher than 95° F (35° C) because it can permanently damage battery capacity. 

Why the iPhone 5 battery dies in cold weather? Because the iPhone battery works well at from 16° to 22° C

The lithium-ion battery simply cannot perform at extremely cold temperatures. The lithium ions slow down under cold temperatures, diminishing the flow of electricity. The colder the weather is, the worse the battery capacity is. Look at the picture below to see that. 

The colder the weather is, the worse the battery capacity is

Therefore, the shorter life span is not the flaw of Apple. This can happen to any lithium-ion battery-powered device. Your iPhone definitely still works well when you leave the cold places. 

iPhone 5 tips for cold weather

Why the iPhone 5 battery dies in cold weather? You have already found the cause. So, how to limit this situation? Let’s apply some cold weather tips below for iPhone 5 or other iPhone versions. 

1. Turn off your phone when unnecessary

To reduce the influence when the iPhone 5 battery dies in cold weather, the first way you should try is to turn off your phone when unnecessary. When turned off, these iPhone devices may be a bit more robust and can withstand temperatures from -20° to 45° C.

For example, the weather forecast app shows that the temperature is -10° C. If you need to go outside such as go jogging, ride your snowmobile and do not really need your smartphone, let it turn off. That time, the iPhone battery lifespan will last longer.

Especially, make sure to turn it off, because some people misunderstand when just putting it to sleep. To turn off your device, you hold the sleep/wake button and then swipe the “slide to power off” switch.

If you need to go outside such as go jogging, ride your snowmobile and do not really need your smartphone, let turn it off

When returning to a warmer environment, please do not turn on your iPhone immediately. This is a popular mistake people often make, they will switch on the iPhone right away. This action really damaged iPhone 5 devices, even every electronic device and some forms of media, such as video and audio cassettes. 

The reason is the rapid change in temperature from cold to warm. Turning on a cold device can make it warm itself quickly and as a result, components can expand too quickly, and your iPhone can form condensation. All we know the danger of condensation in electronic devices, smartphones

To sum up, it is better for you to wait some minutes for your device to come up to room temperature. With the new, metal-encased iPhone, just make sure it does not feel cold to the touch, and then you can turn on it to use.

2. Keep your iPhone warm

The iPhone 5 battery dies in cold weather due to a low temperature so simply, let’s keep your phone warm. When it is harsh outside, warm clothes you are wearing will be things to protect your iPhone from the weather. Put the iPhone in an inside pocket, between your body heat and the jacket’s insulation, your phone will remain operational in ideal temperatures. If you are not able to do that, try to put the device as close to your body as possible.

The iPhone 5 battery dies in cold weather is due to a low temperature so simply, let’s keep your phone warm

However, as mentioned above, the rapid change in temperature in this type of weather is very dangerous. It is advised that you do not take the phone out and return it to its warm location repeatedly. Instead, you can try to use shortcut buttons. The buttons on Apple’s headphones actually allow users to control some iPhone functions. For instance, one can invoke Siri simply by pressing and holding the center button on the headphones.

3. Use a High-Tech Thermal Protection Case

We want to introduce you to a thing protecting your iPhone 5 effectively. That is Optimal - an active, electronic thermal protection case. Developed currently, it promises to be the high-end solution to using an iPhone in extreme temperatures. 

This cold weather solution for the iPhone will maintain the temperature in hot or cold weather. The operation of this case is that fans cool down and heating elements warm your devices so that your phone makes sure to be at the optimal operating temperature. Therefore, you will not worry about the iPhone 5 battery dies in cold weather. 

The operation of this case is that fans to cool down and heating elements to make warm your devices so that your phone makes sure to be at the optimal operating temperature 

This is a high-tech case that is developed to monitor and maintain the optimal temperature. It is also accessible with Touch ID and will not obscure the camera lens. That’s so great, however, not everyone can afford to purchase it. The price of each case is around $200. If you have enough finance, you should try this device.

4. Don’t Leave Your iPhone in the Car

Will leaving your iPhone 5 or any iPhone version devices in the car be better? The answer is absolutely no. Given the operational and non-operational temperature range for the iPhone, that’s why you should not put it in a cold car. 

Don’t Leave Your iPhone in the Car

Even for convenience, you leave it in your car, at least make sure to turn it off and wait until it warms up before turning it on again. The best cold weather tip for iPhone is to take it with you. Your smartphone is tucked in a warm pocket, that looks fare better.

5. Keep a Car Charger for Emergencies

The iPhone 5 battery dies in cold weather! How dangerous your phone does not work while you are stuck in the snow. This can place you in a life-threatening situation. Although the battery lifespan may become shorter in cold weather, it will probably get some power if you plug it into a charger. Make sure to keep a car-compatible iPhone charger in your automobile or bring a phone backup charger by yourself at all times. Nowadays, most modern cars are designed to have a standard electric or USB outlet which enables users to use just about any charger.

Although the battery lifespan may become shorter in cold weather, it will probably get some power if you plug it into a charger

Ideally, you should use the genuine charger provided by Apple. Fake chargers with the ability of rapidly charging can damage the battery from overheating. Even if you stay in a cold environment, a rapid charger could raise up the temperature to the peak, influencing your device age. You should watch out. 

6. Use an Old iPhone

A backup plan for the situation of the iPhone 5 battery dies in cold weather is to use an older iPhone version. Prior to the iPhone 5, Apple smartphone products were sandwiched between two glass layers and glass is an insulator. Therefore, the iPhone 4 and 4S can withstand better under cold conditions.

Although Apple recommends the same temperatures for these older version iPhones, the glass-sandwiched layer also helped iPhone bear the temperature better. Of course, if the device is left in the cold for a long time, it won’t matter. However, if you take it out of your pocket to use briefly, it should remain operational longer.

A backup plan for the situation of the iPhone 5 battery dies in cold weather is to use an older iPhone version

No need to go out and buy an old iPhone for this purpose. You are able to keep your old iPhone 4 or 4S to just use outdoors in the harsh winter. Many carriers will enable you to use your old device activated for free.

7. Use the Apple Watch to Access iPhone Functionality

How about using the Apple Watch to access iPhone? The iPhone 5 battery dies in cold weather even updated versions also have a similar situation so that you can limit that weakness by using an Apple Watch.

The iPhone 5 battery dies in cold weather even updated versions also have a similar situation so that you can limit that weakness by using an Apple Watch

The Apple Watch may be a better alternative in cold weather. The device’s operating temperature range is also announced to be the same as the iPhone from 0º C to 35º C. Nevertheless, some constructive aspects of the Apple Watch may allow it to fare better in cold weather. 

For example, the front of the device is sapphire glass - a good insulator while the back is either a composite or ceramic material (depending on the model) and metal. It is warm enough to operate well in cold weather. Moreover, the Apple Watch is worn on your wrist, heat from your body will keep it from getting too cold.

With the Apple Watch, you can do some basic tasks on it instead of picking your iPhone from your pocket with the higher risk of power down. 

Conclusion

Now, with cold-weather tips for iPhone versions above, hope you never meet the situation iPhone 5 battery dies in cold weather. Due to its battery construction, iPhone devices can be power down quickly in harsh winter when the temperature can be negative a lot. The best thing you can prevent this is to make your devices warm. Read more useful information about the weather at the Weather Forecast.