Smartphone Myths Debunked: 7 Persistent Beliefs

Debunking Common Smartphone Myths

Although smartphones have only achieved widespread adoption in the last ten years, a number of persistent myths have emerged regarding their functionality.

These misconceptions, spanning both software and hardware aspects, continue to circulate despite readily available evidence to the contrary.

The Persistence of Tech Myths

It’s common for all technologies to attract myths and legends. This phenomenon isn't unique to smartphones; similar beliefs have long existed around personal computers and even operating system optimization.

From widely-held beliefs about battery life to concerns about data security, these myths often stem from a lack of understanding or outdated information.

Areas Prone to Misconceptions

Myths surrounding smartphones frequently relate to performance optimization, security vulnerabilities, and the capabilities of the devices themselves.

Understanding the origins of these myths is crucial for users to make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary anxieties.

Smartphones, despite their complexity, are often subject to oversimplifications and inaccurate assumptions.

Why Myths Persist

• Word of Mouth: Misinformation can spread rapidly through casual conversations.
• Lack of Technical Knowledge: Many users don't fully understand the underlying technology.
• Outdated Information: Myths often originate from older versions of software or hardware.

Addressing these myths with clear, concise explanations is essential for promoting a more accurate understanding of smartphone technology.

The Myth of Speeding Up Your iPhone by Closing Apps

A common belief persists that closing applications on your iPhone enhances its performance. However, this is largely a misconception, as demonstrated by recent findings.

Contrary to popular opinion, dismissing apps from your recently used applications list doesn't actually improve speed. These apps aren't actively consuming processing power in the background.

Instead, they are held in a suspended state within your iPhone’s RAM, allowing for quicker resumption. The iOS operating system efficiently manages RAM allocation, automatically offloading inactive apps when more memory is required.

Manually closing apps actually forces them to fully reload when reopened, resulting in a slower launch time. This process consumes more resources than simply leaving them suspended.

Background App Functionality in iOS

While Apple’s iOS does permit certain apps to operate in the background, their capabilities are restricted. These apps can continue functioning even when not visible in the “recent apps” list.

If you wish to manage background activity, you can control app permissions within the Settings application. This allows you to selectively limit which apps are allowed to run in the background.

Therefore, focusing on managing background app permissions offers a more effective approach to optimizing your iPhone’s performance than habitually closing apps.

Optimizing Android Performance: Why Task Killers Are Counterproductive

A common misconception persists regarding Android smartphones. The belief that utilizing a task killer application to automatically clear apps from Random Access Memory (RAM) will enhance device speed is widely circulated. However, this notion is inaccurate.

In reality, applications are often retained in RAM in a cached state. This caching process is designed to facilitate quicker resumption of tasks when you return to those apps.

Just as it's unnecessary to manually clear apps from the recent applications list, employing a task killer is not recommended. Android efficiently manages these applications by freezing them in the background.

While Android permits applications to operate in the background with fewer limitations, intervention is typically only required if an app exhibits problematic behavior. Actively closing apps can, paradoxically, result in a slower overall user experience.

How Android Manages Background Processes

Android’s operating system is designed to intelligently handle background processes. It prioritizes resource allocation to ensure smooth performance.

The system automatically manages RAM usage, freezing apps that aren't actively in use. This minimizes battery drain and optimizes system responsiveness. Forcing closure of these apps disrupts this efficient process.

Therefore, unless an application is demonstrably malfunctioning, allowing Android to manage its background activity is the most effective approach to maintaining optimal performance.

The Practice of Fully Discharging Your Phone Battery is No Longer Necessary

Related: Dispelling Common Misconceptions About Battery Life in Mobile Devices, Tablets, and Laptops.

It's true that a majority of users don't typically allow their phone batteries to fully deplete before initiating a recharge. However, some individuals may be reluctant to partially charge a device already at 80% capacity, particularly if they recall earlier rechargeable battery technologies susceptible to a "memory effect."

Modern Lithium-ion batteries do not suffer from the memory effect, eliminating the need for complete discharge cycles before recharging. Feel free to incrementally charge your device whenever convenient, or connect it overnight for a full charge without concern.

Essentially, you are able to charge your smartphone’s battery at any time and to any level without negatively impacting its performance or lifespan.

Understanding Lithium-ion Battery Technology

The advancements in Lithium-ion battery technology have rendered older charging practices obsolete. These batteries function optimally with frequent, partial charges.

Unlike older Nickel-Cadmium batteries, Lithium-ion batteries don't develop a "memory" where they remember a specific charge level and reduce capacity if not fully discharged.

• Partial Charges are Beneficial: Regularly topping off the battery is actually preferable to consistently allowing it to reach zero.
• Overcharging Protection: Modern smartphones incorporate circuitry to prevent overcharging, safeguarding the battery even when left plugged in overnight.
• Heat is the Enemy: While frequent charging is fine, excessive heat can degrade battery health over time.

Therefore, the optimal strategy for maximizing your smartphone battery’s longevity is to charge it whenever it suits your needs, without adhering to outdated discharge protocols.

The Importance of Utilizing Your Device’s Original Charger

Related: Is Universal Charger Compatibility Possible?

Contemporary smartphones rely on USB-based charging solutions, and these have become largely standardized. Provided a USB charger delivers sufficient power, it is generally safe for use with your smartphone or any other device accepting USB charging.

It is permissible to connect your phone to a charger with a higher wattage. The device will regulate its power intake, preventing damage and potentially accelerating the charging process. Conversely, employing a charger with lower output may result in slower charging speeds, or even a failure to charge if the power provided is inadequate.

Understanding Charger Power Dynamics

The ability of a device to manage power input is a key safety feature. Modern smartphones incorporate circuitry designed to prevent overcharging and damage from higher-powered chargers.

However, while generally safe, consistently using a charger significantly different in power output than the original can, over extended periods, potentially impact the long-term health of the device’s battery.

• Power Delivery: Devices negotiate the optimal charging rate with the charger.
• Voltage Regulation: Smartphones regulate voltage to ensure safe operation.
• Current Limits: Devices draw only the current they require.

Therefore, while interoperability is common, adhering to the charger supplied with your device is often the most prudent approach for optimal performance and longevity.

Safeguarding Your Smartphone Screen: Is a Protector Still Necessary?

Screen protectors, thin plastic films applied to smartphone displays, were once considered essential. Their primary function is to absorb scratches, shielding the underlying screen from damage. Replacing a protector is significantly more affordable than repairing or replacing a smartphone’s screen.

However, the necessity of screen protectors has diminished with advancements in smartphone technology. Contemporary devices frequently incorporate Gorilla Glass or comparable materials, engineered for exceptional scratch resistance.

Provided your phone isn't subjected to excessively harsh treatment, the screen is likely to remain unscathed. Many substances capable of scratching a plastic protector will not affect the integrity of a modern smartphone screen.

Numerous online videos demonstrate this point vividly. Tests often show knives being unable to penetrate the glass of current smartphones, while easily slicing through a typical screen protector.

The Evolution of Smartphone Screen Technology

The development of durable glass compositions has fundamentally altered the landscape of screen protection. Previously, screens were highly susceptible to damage from keys, coins, and other everyday objects.

Now, these materials offer a substantial degree of protection against common abrasions. This reduces the likelihood of needing a protector for basic scratch prevention.

• Gorilla Glass provides enhanced resistance to scratches and impacts.
• Similar technologies from other manufacturers offer comparable durability.
• Regular handling, avoiding abrasive materials, further minimizes risk.

Therefore, while screen protectors aren't inherently harmful, their benefits are increasingly marginal for many users. Consider the advancements in screen technology before investing in an additional layer of protection.

The Megapixel Myth: Camera Quality Explained

It's a common misconception that a higher megapixel count automatically equates to a superior camera, not just in smartphones, but across various digital camera types.

Manufacturers frequently emphasize megapixel numbers as a key selling point, as they appear impressive on technical specifications.

A megapixel is simply a unit of measurement representing one million pixels. The total megapixel count indicates the number of pixels that comprise a photograph captured by the camera.

For example, while the Apple iPhone 6 features an 8-megapixel camera, many advanced Android devices boast 16-megapixel sensors.

However, increasing the number of pixels on a sensor, while simultaneously decreasing their individual size, doesn't necessarily improve image quality. A sensor with fewer megapixels, but a larger physical size, will generally have larger individual pixels.

Larger pixels are capable of capturing more light, which is a crucial factor in image clarity and detail. Furthermore, the quality of the sensor itself, the lens used, and the sophistication of the image processing algorithms are equally, if not more, important.

When evaluating smartphone cameras, avoid focusing solely on megapixel counts. Instead, prioritize reviews that include direct photographic comparisons between different models.

Don't allow yourself to be misled by specifications alone; real-world performance is the true indicator of camera quality.

Key Considerations Beyond Megapixels

• Sensor Size: A larger sensor generally captures more light and detail.
• Lens Quality: The lens plays a critical role in sharpness and clarity.
• Image Processing: Software algorithms enhance image quality and reduce noise.

These factors, combined with the megapixel count, determine the overall photographic experience.

Android Phones and the Risk of Malware

Related: Is an Antivirus App Necessary for Your Android Device?

The common perception that phones are frequently infected with "viruses"—self-replicating software—is technically inaccurate. Malicious software, should it infiltrate a phone, generally doesn't attempt to spread to other devices.

Android devices are often mistakenly believed to be heavily susceptible to malware and viruses. However, the actual number of Android phones compromised by malicious software remains relatively low. While Android malware does exist, its primary source is typically outside of the official Google Play Store.

Downloading applications exclusively from Google Play significantly reduces risk. Conversely, acquiring pirated versions of paid Android apps and installing them through sideloading dramatically increases vulnerability. Users in China utilizing local app stores are also at a heightened risk of downloading applications that have been repackaged with malware.

Android’s openness, allowing installations from sources beyond the official app store, makes it more vulnerable to malware compared to iOS. However, exercising caution and sticking to the Google Play Store provides a reasonable level of security. A further consideration is that Android operating system updates are not consistently delivered to all devices, potentially creating security gaps.