Is it OK to unplug charger before fully charged?

Yes, it is generally okay to unplug your charger before your device is fully charged, especially with modern devices like the R36S. Here's why:

1. Lithium-ion Batteries Are Designed for Partial Charging

Most modern devices, including the R36S, use lithium-ion batteries, which are designed to be safe and efficient whether they're charged to 100% or not. These batteries do not suffer from the "memory effect" that older battery types (like Ni-Cd) experienced, where partial charging would reduce the battery's overall capacity.

2. Overcharging Protection

Devices today come with built-in protection against overcharging. Once the battery reaches 100%, the charger will usually stop charging, or the device will switch to a trickle charge to keep the battery at full. This means you don’t need to worry about the battery being damaged by leaving it plugged in for longer than necessary.

3. Avoiding Stress on the Battery

While overcharging isn’t a concern, charging up to 100% constantly and leaving the device plugged in for extended periods can slowly degrade the battery over time. To help prolong battery life, it's recommended to unplug the charger once it reaches 80-90% if you want to optimize battery health, though occasional full charges won’t harm the device.

4. Charging in Short Bursts

Unplugging the charger before it reaches 100% is fine if you’re charging in short bursts throughout the day. These partial charges are just as good for lithium-ion batteries as a full charge, and they prevent the battery from staying at a high voltage for too long, which can degrade its lifespan over many cycles.

5. Safe Practice

While it’s okay to unplug the charger before fully charged, if you don’t need to unplug it immediately, it’s safe to leave it plugged in until it reaches 100% and then unplug it. The key is not to habitually keep the device charging for long periods past full charge, as doing so over time can stress the battery.

Conclusion

In short, it’s perfectly fine to unplug the charger before the device is fully charged. Doing so won’t harm your device, and it’s a common practice. Just avoid constantly keeping your device plugged in for extended periods once it’s fully charged to optimize battery health over the long term.

Happy charging!