Does Using SmartPhone as Hotspot Ruin Battery?

Pluses for the hardware hotspot is typically that the battery will last longer than the one on your phone. It doesn't need to power the screen, apps, etc.

Negative is cost.

So, do the hotspot on your phone. There are a limited number of charges to any battery but for practical purposes you will not "ruin" it.

The monthly rate hot spot is another income source for Verizon so they would naturally prefer everyone to use one. I went thru the same conversation with ATT, however eventually the sales guy agreed that there was no benefit to using a mi-fi versus my cell phone. At first he said it may tie up my ability to answer calls during use however I found the phone rings and I can answer, talk, and surf the web at the same time. Sometimes I charge my battery during use, but most of the time I don't. It uses the battery just slightly more than talking on my phone but not enough to be of concern.

As mentioned by another here that it is best to have phone plugged into to the charger when using as a hotspot. Also, as for me I do not purchase a smartphone if unless it has a replaceable battery. Reason being, if the battery dies prematurely I can replace the battery myself for $10.00 or so. My current phone is a Samsung S5.

I stream movies to my apple tv using the amazon app on my iphone. Never had a battery issue. If it gets low I plug it in. I think your salesperson was either trying to upsell you or didnt have a clue.

I try to only use my phone as a hot spot when the phone is plugged into the charger or my battery depletes pretty fast...

Yes...he's BSing you.... It drains the battery but doesn't ruin it

Just leave it plugged in while using it. I do it all the time with my iPhone and have never needed a new battery.

You are being BSed.