Compared with other kinds of chemical batteries, lithium ion cell has longer life. Of course, it still has limited calender life and cycle life. In other words, lithium ion cell also will be aging like people and any other objects. Cycle life can symbolizes lithium ion battery life. When you tend to buy a battery, you may browse product description like battery capacity and cycle life and so on.
One complete charge cycle is the process of charging a rechargeable battery from empty to full and then discharging current from full to zero. Typically, this term is used to specify a battery’s expected life. The number of charge cycles represent the expected charging-and-discharging times. And it is usually given by manufactures.
As in the case of 1000 life cycles, in ideal condition, 1000 life cycles means that this 18650 battery can undergo 1000 times complete charging and discharging process with nominal capacity. When life cycles has been over 1000 times, battery capacity will decrease which will affect battery performance. Then you will find that your battery is not durable and you will charge your battery frequently. When battery capacity decrease to limit level, its capacity will drop to its limited 75%. If its capacity drops, low capacity will effect battery performance.
Generally, in ideal condition, after 1000 times charge cycle, this 18650 battery will lose its performance, the life task of this battery is almost finished. However, this battery still can be used with relatively poor performance. The best advice for you is that you need to buy another battery before it dies.
Therefore, when you tend to buy batteries, you may browse product description like battery capacity and cycle life and so on!