Preserve Your Battery Life
Loving your PSP battery life is a thing in the portable console community, and preserving it is a monthly ritual for many users. The PSP, in particular, is praised for still holding 4-5 hours of battery life with its original Sony battery. Many users have come up with creative names for this event, such as “The Great Rejuvenation” or “Power Stasis.”
But what is the best way to preserve your PSP battery life? Some users suggest fully charging the device and letting it drain naturally for a month before recharging, claiming it helps preserve battery life. However, others argue that this method is incorrect for Li-Ion or Li-Po batteries, which prefer to be stored at around 40-50% charge and at cooler temperatures.
The first screengrab in the discussion is from a PSP battery test by TechRax, which shows the original Sony battery’s impressive capacity after several years of sitting around. In the thread, user Taelia_the_Quiet says, “I’m amazed at how well the original Sony battery is still holding up after all these years.” Another user, notafish, replies that they have been performing the ritual since 2016, and it has helped them maintain around 70% of the original battery capacity.
Fond Memories of the Portable Console
A few users mention their fond memories of the portable console. Some share their love for the tactics-style games on the PSP, specifically mentioning games like Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions and Rainbow Moon. Other users praise the PSP for introducing them to new experiences, such as their first Metal Gear Solid game with MGS Peace Walker or the first time they played a Monster Hunter game on the PSP.
One user, though, shares a rather…interesting memory involving the PSP and hentai at school.
Some users also lament the missed potential of the PSP and the failure of its successor, the PS Vita. One user says they “wish[ed] the Vita was more like the PSP,” while another replies, “I wish it was as successful as the Switch.”
Others share their positive memories of the portable console, specifically the emulation capability and the popular games. One user mentions how they were “raised on FF7 Crisis Core,” while another mentions the addictive quality of Lumines.
A few users also mention the Vita’s battery life, with one saying that their Vita still holds around 3 hours of battery life. Another says, “The Vita will not boot without a battery, even when plugged in.” This is mentioned in relation to the Switch as well, and it is pointed out that the fact that the 3DS will not boot without a battery, even when plugged in, is “a bit more worrisome,” since there are more 3DS devices out there.
The user with the Vita battery stats says that they have not touched their Vita for 3 years, and the battery still has 90% capacity. They also mention that their Nintendo DS Lite still has a battery that holds 80% of its original capacity after being left untouched for around 3 years.
Another user shares their experience of the battery preservation ritual, saying, “I do this to all of my devices. I don’t recommend fully draining them and letting them die, just top up to 60-80% and let them drain naturally, then charge up to 60-80% again. I do it every 6 months to a year for inactive devices.”
This user is then asked about what “full charge occasionally” means, since it is said to decrease battery lifespan. They reply, “Ah, this is the misconception. It’s not topping up to 100% that’s the problem, it’s topping up to 100% and letting the battery sit at 100% for long periods of time. Commercial battery companies will tell you the same thing.”
Another user then asks, “So they really do lose the ability to hold a charge if you don’t charge them?” The reply is, “Well, not exactly. I mean, it’s not like they lose the ability to hold a charge forever, but losing the ability to hold a charge over time is the norm, not the exception.”
The ideal charge level for long-term storage is debated, with some suggesting 40% and others mentioning 80%. One user refers to the ritual as “Feeding Day” due to the number of devices they have to preserve.
The Monster Hunter Portable 3rd PSP and Monster Hunter 4 3DS editions are admired by many users, and one says, “I wish we had a MH game on the Switch.” Another replies, “You know we’re gonna get one.”
The need to preserve batteries is also emphasized for the Vita and Switch consoles. One user says, “All my consoles are either sitting on their charger or plugged in.” They are then asked if they are worried about the Vita battery dying, but the reply is, “It won’t die, I’m careful about it.”
The fact that the 3DS will not boot without a battery, even when plugged in, is mentioned, and another user says, “I think they should really put a warning on the packaging [of 3DSes], because people are gonna throw them [away] when they’re dead.”
Another user shares the longevity of a Nintendo DS Lite’s battery after being left untouched for 3 years, saying, “Mine was still around 40% after 3 years,” followed by, “I don’t know about you but I’d gladly pay 40% extra for a console that could last that long.”
The question of whether it’s worth getting a PSP or Vita in 2023 is also raised. While some users say it’s not worth buying one now due to the shutdown of the PS Store on the Vita, others say they would get a Vita if they had an SD card, and one asks if the Switch is worth getting instead of a Vita. There are concerns about the shutdown of the PS Store on the Vita, and it is suggested that it might be worthwhile getting a Vita due to the possibility of future firmware updates.
