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Heat in the car destroys your mobile phone: This is the best place to keep it
๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Technology

Heat in the car destroys your mobile phone: This is the best place to keep it

From Veฤernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • High temperatures inside a car can damage smartphones, especially when exposed to direct sunlight or during charging.
  • Manufacturers like Apple recommend operating phones within specific temperature ranges and warn against leaving them in hot cars.
  • To prevent overheating, keep phones out of direct sun, ensure good ventilation, and consider using a car mount near an air vent.

Leaving your smartphone in a hot car during summer can lead to significant damage, as high temperatures can negatively impact its performance and longevity. Smartphones generate heat during operation, and this is exacerbated by functions like navigation, screen use, and mobile data connections. When combined with direct sunlight penetrating the car's windows, the device's temperature can quickly become dangerously high.

Manufacturers like Apple advise that iPhones are designed to operate in ambient temperatures between 0 and 35 degrees Celsius (32 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit). They specifically warn against leaving devices in heated vehicles or using navigation systems under direct sun for extended periods. Phone mounts attached to the windshield can be particularly problematic, as they position the device directly in the sun's rays while the screen is often illuminated for navigation.

Wireless charging can also generate additional heat. This does not mean that the inductive charger is harmful in itself, but the phone can heat up during such charging, especially if it is intensively used at the same time or is in the sun.

โ€” N/AThe article explains how wireless charging can contribute to a phone's overheating in a car.

Overheating can cause a smartphone to reduce screen brightness, slow down its processing speed, or even halt charging until it cools down. Wireless charging can also contribute to heat buildup, especially if the phone is in use simultaneously or exposed to sunlight. Both Apple and Google recommend charging devices in cooler, well-ventilated areas.

To mitigate these risks, it's crucial to keep your phone out of direct sunlight and ensure adequate airflow. Placing a phone mount near a car's air vent can help dissipate heat using cooler air from the climate control system. While extreme cold is also detrimental, the primary goal is to prevent excessive overheating and maintain the device within its normal operating temperature range. Removing thick protective cases, which can trap heat, is also advised if the device gets unusually warm during charging.

If the device overheats excessively during charging, both Apple and Google suggest removing the case as one of the possible measures.

โ€” N/AManufacturers offer advice on how to manage phone overheating, including removing protective cases.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.