Calculate battery life, charge cycles, and estimated lifespan based on capacity and usage
Battery life depends on three key factors: battery capacity (measured in mAh), device power consumption (measured in mA), and usage patterns. Understanding these relationships helps you estimate how long your device will run between charges and how long the battery will last before needing replacement.
Different battery chemistries have varying efficiency rates and cycle lives. Lithium-ion batteries, the most common type in modern devices, typically offer 90% efficiency and can handle 500+ charge cycles before capacity degrades significantly.
| Battery Type | Efficiency | Cycle Life | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium-Ion | 90% | 500+ cycles | Smartphones, laptops, EVs |
| Lithium-Polymer | 88% | 400+ cycles | Tablets, drones, wearables |
| Nickel-Metal Hydride | 75% | 500+ cycles | Power tools, hybrid vehicles |
| Lead-Acid | 70% | 300+ cycles | Car batteries, backup power |
With 4 hours of daily active use, the battery lasts approximately 5.4 hours per charge, requiring charging every 1.4 days. At this rate, you'll complete about 260 charge cycles per year, giving the battery an estimated lifespan of 1.9 years before noticeable degradation.
With 6 hours of daily use, the battery lasts approximately 2.25 hours per charge, requiring charging every 0.4 days (multiple times daily). This results in about 913 charge cycles per year, giving an estimated lifespan of 0.5 years (6 months) before replacement is needed.
With 12 hours of daily use, the battery lasts approximately 5.4 hours per charge, requiring charging every 0.5 days (twice daily). This results in about 730 charge cycles per year, giving an estimated lifespan of 0.7 years (8 months) of optimal performance.