Now, though, Xiaomi has revealed that it canfully charge a phone in eight minutesflat.

That may seem great, but experts say shorter charging times could come at a cost.

“These redesigns, however, can result in a loss of energy density.

Smartphone showing is has a 100% charged battery

veronka & cia / Getty Images

The alternative, higher charging rates without these modifications typically lead to a reduction in cycle life.

The reason fast charging has become such a divisive technical issue is because of how it works.

Heat, experts say, is the number one reason fast charge is such a worrying feature.

“A fast charger works on an increased voltage.

Finding Solutions

While heat is a concern, there are ways around it.

For one, some batteries are designed specifically to work with their fast-charging components.

A fast charger may therefore place your smartphone at a higher risk of overheating in the long run.