Disclosed is an apparatus (and method) for charging a battery having a voltage measuring unit for measuring a voltage, a control unit for outputting a charge control signal corresponding to an early charging mode in which the battery is charged until a voltage of the battery rises to a preset cut-off voltage (Vc) and a charge control signal corresponding to a late charging mode in which the battery is charged while lowering a charge power in phases, and a charging unit for providing a charge power corresponding to the charge control signal to the battery, wherein a point of lowering the charge power in phases is associated with a point at which the voltage of the battery reaches the cut-off voltage again by the lowered charge power. Therefore, a voltage level reached at full charge of a battery may be raised in a simple and efficient way.