It is important to understand that a SMART battery is simply a better option to an already good design. Whether or not a battery is “smart” has nothing to do with the assurance that the battery is safe, of good quality, is capable of meeting the power requirements of a device or indicate that the battery has no level of intelligence at all. In many cases a non-SMART battery is equipped with very comparable circuitry and processor technology as a SMART battery is, but lacks the communication contacts necessary to interface with host equipment.
Where a SMART battery benefits a user over a non-SMART battery is in its ability to communicate with a user: remaining runtime predictions, remaining useful life, end of discharge/charge warnings, protection modes, and preferred method of charging, etc. Such pieces of information allow a user (via the host equipment) to make better decisions regarding how to best use their battery, especially in situations where the battery is being remotely used.
SMART chargers exist to collaborate with SMART batteries, which typically allow for a faster charge rate, higher operating temperature and early identification of any possible battery faults.
