Modern phones can be used immediately after being delivered or taken out of a box. Older battery technology needed significant charging before it was ready for use, but this is no longer the case. When you first get a new phone, including a used phone, you can use it and charge it however you want.

So, if you want to find out how long your new cell phone needs to charge before you use it for the first time, you’ve come to the right place.

Can I Use My Phone Right Out Of The Box Without First Charging It?

Most of the time, using the phone as soon as you get it is perfectly acceptable.

By design, phones come with enough battery life to turn on and run for at least a few hours. The battery life of brand-new phones might slightly differ from used phones, but they all can be used right out of the box.  

If you purchase a new phone in a store and add a data transfer service, they will open it and turn it on immediately.

After activating the new phone, you are ready to leave the store and use it as usual for the rest of the day.

Why Modern Phones Are Shipped With Charged Batteries 

A phone is functional as soon as you receive it for two main reasons: 

The first reason is the customer experience. When someone receives a new phone, they are frequently delighted and eager to use it right away. Instead, if they have to wait a whole day for the phone to charge, it negatively affects both the initial response and overall customer satisfaction. Manufacturers of mobile devices are aware of this and desire enthusiastic and delighted users. Phones are therefore shipped with charged batteries. They have calculated the costs and benefits and conclude that it benefits their bottom lines.

Technical Details of Contemporary Phone Batteries

The second reason is exclusively technical. Lithium-polymer or lithium-ion batteries are used in the majority of modern phones. You’re looking at an excellent battery in either scenario, one that doesn’t lose charge in storage as quickly as many older batteries do.

Additionally, lithium-based batteries operate under different optimal conditions compared to older batteries. It’s best to charge the battery to about 70% if you’re going to leave a phone off for a long time (like when it’s being shipped and then put on a shelf for a retailer). This is because the battery itself is chemical.

A fully charged lithium-based battery puts a slight strain on the gadget because of how strong the internal voltage is. This stress shortens the battery’s lifespan by potentially warping its internal chemistry. Now, this occurs in incredibly tiny bursts. Batteries could be shipped by a cell phone manufacturer with a full charge, and most users wouldn’t notice.

However, it’s best to ship with less voltage in the battery to lessen that strain if the engineers want everything to be at its best. On the other hand, a battery that is completely discharged experiences strain. Because of how the battery functions, if the battery is completely discharged, there is a voltage buildup on the opposite side.

This puts strain on the battery in the same way that a full charge does, but because the voltage is on the wrong side of the battery, it accelerates battery ageing.

Therefore, shipping batteries that are at least partially charged is preferable. When all the numbers are added up, you discover that the best storage charge for most modern batteries is between 50 and 70 percent. When buying a used phone, you must check its battery health. 

To maximise battery life and the user experience, phone manufacturers typically aim for the 70% mark when shipping their products. A battery will gradually lose charge over time, even when fully charged. While batteries are being transported or stocked on shelves, that undoubtedly occurs. When you first open the box of a new phone, it’s typical for it to be between 50 and 70 percent charged.

Where Did You Get the Idea That You Need to Charge It First?

As was mentioned, you can use modern phones right away. But why do so many people hold different opinions? Is the old saying that you should charge a phone for eight hours when it’s brand new true, or is it just a crazy myth?

This advice was once very accurate and trustworthy. The majority of batteries were created using nickel compounds. Physically, these batteries functioned very differently from lithium batteries used today. Manufacturers advise that you fully charge the battery before using the phone for the first time because of the outdated technology. This took about eight hours to complete, on average. The charging cycle would be disrupted if you disregarded this advice and used the phone before the battery was fully charged. A phone that was intended to last for 12 hours might only last for eight because the battery wouldn’t be able to hold as much charge.

Is It Okay To Charge A New Phone Right Away?

As a result, you can start using your phone right away. But what if you want a phone that is fully charged? Can you immediately plug it in?

Yes, it won’t be harmed if you want to charge a lithium battery to capacity immediately. The ideal storage percentage is 70%. It’s acceptable to charge a phone to capacity while in use frequently. You can continue using the phone with the battery fully charged for a considerable time.

When left plugged in, lithium-based batteries don’t overcharge. With new, contemporary technologies, this is not a problem, but it was another issue with older batteries. Avoid allowing your battery to discharge to zero percent if you want to maximize its lifespan.

Conclusion 

To conclude, you can use the new modern phones right after buying them. Charge the new modern phones before using them immediately because lithium-polymer or lithium-ion batteries are used in modern phones. These batteries don’t lose charge in storage as quickly as many older batteries do. Even when buying used phones, you can use them immediately without charging them first, as they also have the same batteries.