Digital specialist Jean-Baptiste Nicolet has addressed common smartphone user habits on French television broadcast Bonjour ! La Matinale TF1, dispelling widespread misconceptions about battery care, device hygiene and charger compatibility.
Nicolet focused first on the practice of closing background applications by swiping up after use. While users often expect this to improve battery autonomy, Nicolet explained that shutting an application completely forces the operating system to reload it entirely upon its next launch. When left in the background, the application simply enters a standby state that consumes neither battery power nor system autonomy.
Bonjour ! La Matinale TF1 is the flagship morning news program of TF1, France's primary private national television network. Modern mobile operating systems manage background tasks automatically by freezing inactive apps in RAM, which uses significantly less power than continuously initializing software afresh from internal storage.
Battery charging habits
Nicolet next tackled the common question of whether users should wait for a smartphone battery to discharge completely before plugging it in. He noted that while fully draining a device was recommended for older mobile phones, manufacturers have since updated battery technology and eliminated the memory effect.
According to the digital specialist, users can safely connect their smartphones to power at 20 percent, 40 percent or 80 percent without damaging the device. Modern smartphones rely on lithium-ion battery technology, which functions most efficiently through frequent partial charges rather than deep discharge cycles.
Screen cleaning and hygiene
Addressing device cleanliness, Nicolet referenced a landmark 2015 British study which revealed that smartphones carry between seven and ten times more germs than a toilet seat. Despite the clear need for regular cleaning, he cautioned against using wet wipes or chemical cleaning wipes on touchscreens.
Nicolet explained that smartphone screens feature a thin protective film designed to stop fingers from sticking and to ensure smooth touch gliding. Using wet wipes can damage this specialized coating. Instead, Nicolet recommended cleaning screens with a soft microfibre cloth dampened with a small amount of water.
Microfibre cloths use fine synthetic fibers to trap dust and oil without scratching glass surfaces. Touchscreens feature an oleophobic coating designed to repel oils, a chemical layer that can be stripped away by harsh solvents or alcohol found in commercial wipes.
Laptop charger compatibility
Challenging popular misconceptions about hardware power adapters, Nicolet revealed that users can safely recharge smartphones using a computer charger. He explained that high numbers printed on laptop chargers, such as 100 watts or 140 watts, indicate maximum power capacity rather than continuous delivery.
Power output adapts dynamically to the requirements of the connected device. If a smartphone requests 25 watts, a 100-watt or 140-watt charger will supply only 25 watts, providing a faster charge without risking damage to internal electronics.
