Just like most folks, my smartphone is an integral part of my working life. It's the camera that I always have with me, my lifeline to clients, the controller for the Spark, my navigation system, and my #1 information source. So keeping it charged is critical to all of these activities.

In the waning days of my iPhone 6S, it would only hold a charge to about 5 pm each day. My routine had been to plug it in at night, then unplug it the next morning and use it until it ran out of gas.

At first that routine lasted me an entire day, unless I was engaged in something unusual, such as serving as navigator on a road trip. But over time, it began to lose its endurance.

I did a little research on the subject, and I made a few notes. I can't substantiate any of these because I am not a Lithium battery expert. But here's what I came up with.

• The best time to recharge a battery is when it's about half empty.
• Leaving a battery in the charger long after it's reached 100 percent capacity puts it through unnecessary cycles, thereby shortening its life.

Based on this, I decided to try a new routine with my iPhone X. Here's my current approach:

• Do Not plug in the iPhone at night and leave it charging until morning. Instead, I put it in Low Power Mode (which is very easy via the Control Center).
• During the day, I give it a quick top off when it's at 50 percent level. I can do this at my desk or with the portable charger that's always in my bag (since the firestorm). This usually only takes an hour or so. Then, I unplug it when it's at 100 percent.
• When I don't need the phone, such as at the movies, I put it in Low Power Mode at the same time I silence it. Again, the easy access via the Control Center makes this simple.

That's all there is to it. I've made a few minor adjustments that are already natural. And over time I'll be able to gauge their effectiveness.

The iPhone X seems to have an excellent battery. I'd love to keep it that way for years to come.

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.