It is generally not recommended to fully drain a lithium-polymer (LiPo) battery in your phone to 0% regularly. Here’s why:

1. Battery Chemistry Sensitivity:

• LiPo batteries, like all lithium-based batteries, are sensitive to deep discharges. Draining the battery to 0% can cause stress on the battery’s chemistry, leading to potential capacity loss over time and shortening its overall lifespan.

2. Memory Effect Misconception:

• Older battery types, like nickel-cadmium (NiCd), had a “memory effect,” where they would lose capacity if not fully discharged before recharging. LiPo batteries do not have this memory effect, so there is no need to fully drain them before charging.

3. Voltage Cutoff Risks:

• LiPo batteries have a safe voltage range, and discharging them too deeply can bring the voltage down to a level that might trigger the battery’s safety cutoff or even damage it. Most phones have built-in safeguards to prevent the battery from being discharged too deeply, but it’s still not advisable to regularly allow it to reach extremely low levels.

4. Optimal Charging Practices:

• For the longest battery life, it’s best to keep your phone’s battery level between 20% and 80%. Frequent shallow discharges and partial recharges are actually better for the health of LiPo batteries compared to full discharge/recharge cycles.
• Occasionally letting the battery drop to around 10-20% before recharging is okay, but it shouldn’t be a regular practice.

5. Calibration:

• Some people occasionally let the battery drain completely to help calibrate the battery percentage reading on the device. While this may be beneficial for the accuracy of the battery meter, it should not be done frequently. Once every few months, if at all, is usually sufficient.

Conclusion:

It’s best to avoid fully draining your phone’s LiPo battery regularly. Keeping the battery charged between 20% and 80% is ideal for maintaining its longevity and performance. If you need to calibrate the battery meter, fully discharging it once in a while is fine, but doing so repeatedly can harm the battery over time.