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Cold Weather Can Disable Smartphones as Bitkom Urges Winter Precautions

A representative survey reports 68% of users have faced cold-related problems, with only about half protecting their devices.

Overview

  • Low temperatures slow battery chemistry, cutting available energy and risking sudden voltage collapse and shutdowns.
  • Devices may power off to prevent damage during cold-induced drops in voltage, according to coverage citing chip.de.
  • Bitkom advises keeping phones warm near the body and using headphones outside to limit exposure to freezing air.
  • Users should avoid rapid temperature changes to prevent condensation, power off very cold phones, and let them warm gradually for about an hour.
  • Further tips include maintaining charge above 50%, limiting charging in the cold, using insulating neoprene cases, and handling carefully because glass is more brittle in low temperatures.