15 replies to this topic

[lruggier]

Ok, this may be a stupid question but i just want to make sure my phone will be alright if i lay it face down with the speaker up (so i can hear my alarm loud) on a window sill that is very cold in my room. My dad always told me it wasnt good to keep electronics in cold temperatures and my room is warm but the window sill that it will be sitting on face down is pretty cold! So will it be ok or should i put something under it or move it somewhere else?

[LUTZIFER]

I don't think coldness matters, it's moisture that's not good for electronics.

[saxondale.]

Depending on how cold it is, it could affect the battery life, but your biggest concern should be moisture.

[osuwildlifer]

I've always heard that the colder the device, the faster the battery will drain. But I have no real explanation for this or evidence that it's true.

[Billus]

osuwildlifer, on 23 January 2013 - 11:44, said:

I've always heard that the colder the device, the faster the battery will drain. But I have no real explanation for this or evidence that it's true.

I remember as a kid we put our digimon device out in the sun when it was nearly flat and we thought we were recharging it. It did boost the battery and the screen did turn much darker for a short period of time so yes, temperature does affect the battery.

OP, how about getting a stand/dock for your phone of eBay and put that on your windowsill? Even if your speaker faces the window, the sound will reflect and sound much louder and you don't need to worry about coldness issue. Either way, as everyone else has pointed out, as long as there is no moisture you should be alright.

[Guth]

I left a 2 week old ipod in a car, it snowed that night and the car was sooo cold in the morning
iPod was broken and never worked again

[shakey]

Heat is more damaging to the battery and phone than cold. It takes degrees of like 10F and less to really start to affect a phone due to cold.

[Richteralan]

Temperature is not quite big deal.

What you should watch out is condensation.

[z0phi3l]

Yeah cold is not an issue, we're having heating issues here, and with these crazy cold days, we're lucky if this one room in the house ever gets above 50f, no issues at all with my GS3, even taking it outside in single digit weather and it works just fine. Like most are saying heat and humidity will kill most devices before cold will

[+littleneutrino]

you will be fine , the phone can handle a lot more than you could normally throw at it as far as temperatures are concerned

[shakey]

To add on to what I said as well. Heat can damage the phone, cold will only make it run oddly. Once returned to regular temps from cold, your phone should return to normal.
As others stated, Heat and Moisture are the worst of your worries.

[Xenomorph]

Safe operating temperature is above freezing.

Cold can damage the battery.

Cold in general can promote condensation (even some that you cannot see) on the device's internals, which can lead to corrosion and breakage.

Maybe you could lie the device on a small towel to better insulate it from the surface.

[jerzdawg]

lruggier, on 23 January 2013 - 05:32, said:

Ok, this may be a stupid question but i just want to make sure my phone will be alright if i lay it face down with the speaker up (so i can hear my alarm loud) on a window sill that is very cold in my room. My dad always told me it wasnt good to keep electronics in cold temperatures and my room is warm but the window sill that it will be sitting on face down is pretty cold! So will it be ok or should i put something under it or move it somewhere else?

Crazy question.. but what is the temperature of the room that you are sleeping? While I understand its near the window but the difference in temperature shouldnt be that great.

[REM2000]

As others have said it's the battery and moisture especially if you move it from the window to your pocket.

It's the reason why i always put camera battery's in my pocket when it's cool and out for shoot, keeps em warm and ready for use...... and the batteries work better aswell . Although all joking aside i do keep batterys in my pocket to keep them warm.

[lruggier]

jerzdawg, on 23 January 2013 - 15:57, said:

Crazy question.. but what is the temperature of the room that you are sleeping? While I understand its near the window but the difference in temperature shouldnt be that great.

the room temperature is like 72 degrees F, but the window sill is significantly colder