I wish that, once in my life, I could afford to sit in the first few rows of an NBA game and watch those world-class athletes play. And when I watch on TV, I am amazed at all the people in those front-row seats with their cell phones in front of their faces and their fingers busily texting away. Are they telling their friends how great the game is? How could they possible know? Sure, it's a waste of batteries, but it seems like it's a waste of a lot more. (Go Blazers!)
11
I've replaced the battery on my Samsung Galaxy Android once and it was like new again. I haven't found the need to do it again but this freedom to easily swap out a lazy battery for a new one is what keeps me from transitioning to an iPhone. With an iPhone, when the battery no longer sufficiently holds a charge, I believe you have to buy a whole new phone, which seems like a waste.
14
We had similar situation during a multi-state road trip where my wife and I forgot to carry the phone chargers. Middle of the trip both of our phone battery drained completely and end-up buying two phone chargers, one for iPhone and other for Android at gas station. We used the car's audio USB port to charge the phones. After the road trip, we designed our own phone charger with dual connectors, small in size to connect with our keychain, "DuoKeyCharge" born in a year. With the phone charger and OTG (On-The-Go) adapter, Ashlei could have asked some person in Disneyland having Android phone to charge from that phone to her phone easily that would have helped her. New stylish phone are introduced every quarter but the battery performance is not really great. We need to carry power bank and OTG Charger to share the smartphone battery power during emergency.
3
Great article . Thanks. I was using a Halo and have switched to a Nebo Pal ( very small and doubles as a flashlight) for those times when I'm on the run and the battery runs out (not too often). Hope these aren't hurting my iPhone6.....
3
Had to laugh... They claim that leaving wi-fi on all the time has little hit on battery life, but then proceed to say don't stream with wi-fi on!
Essentially, they're saying, you can leave wi-fi on as long as you don't use it! But why do that? It's still going to check on its network connections and use juice. It's definitely better to turn it off when not in use.
And, as to auto-brightness, it just doesn't work that well! It's never the level you want it to be... and generally it's too bright and consumers far more battery life as a result.
With the ease of a finger slide, it's far better to set it at a low level. Backlighting is known to be one of the biggest battery hogs, so keep it low--and even lower at night--makes good sense.
Essentially, they're saying, you can leave wi-fi on as long as you don't use it! But why do that? It's still going to check on its network connections and use juice. It's definitely better to turn it off when not in use.
And, as to auto-brightness, it just doesn't work that well! It's never the level you want it to be... and generally it's too bright and consumers far more battery life as a result.
With the ease of a finger slide, it's far better to set it at a low level. Backlighting is known to be one of the biggest battery hogs, so keep it low--and even lower at night--makes good sense.
3
It seems like this article is more just about how to save power on your iPhone. The vast majority of people use Android, so why are most of these examples about iOS?
15
If your phone is using LTE and you have only one or two signal bars go into settings and disable LTE. Your phone will drop down to 4G (still really good speeds) and will usually get four or five bars. It can add hours of usage.
6
Rayovac makes a backup power unit which uses 4 AA batteries. Great for travel or at home. Think looking for an outlet in an airport! Most backup units are like your phone- dead until you can plug in again.
3
In Android phones...go to Settings, then Battery, and then turn on Battery Saver. This significantly improves battery life. It reduces performances, but if you are out hiking for the day or are in Disneyland, it sure beats a dead phone.
8
Here's the simplest solution — BIGGER BATTERIES. We don't need thinner phones. We need bigger batteries.
4
In addition to some of the good comments for Ashleigh, I would suggest when you are at Disneyland to put away your phone and enjoy the park and your family. Then you will have battery power for when you might really need it.
Regarding Hey Siri, I believe that you cannot use that feature unless your iPhone is plugged in to power. Therefore, it is not an issue for losing battery capacity.
Regarding Hey Siri, I believe that you cannot use that feature unless your iPhone is plugged in to power. Therefore, it is not an issue for losing battery capacity.
4
Just think about again, what's the function necessary of the smartphone. I always block the unnecessary function just like social media app and email until I need to use it, when I go outside.
We don't need so much thing until we need to use is.
Compare how to extend the phone battery, I just want to charge my phone faster like this website said: http://www.easyacc.com/media-center/how-to-charge-phone-faster/
We don't need so much thing until we need to use is.
Compare how to extend the phone battery, I just want to charge my phone faster like this website said: http://www.easyacc.com/media-center/how-to-charge-phone-faster/
2
I bet most are unaware that a smartphone is never "off".
I head usher at a local theater. One evening, a patron having left the theater at the end of the show discovered she'd dropped her iPhone. Of course, it had been turned off prior to the show, and was still off.
We searched and couldn't find it. Her husband had his, dialed her number, punched in a secret code -- and it rang.
Moral of the story: Your modern phone is never off so long as it has a charged battery. You can be tracked, everywhere you go -- and, dollars to donuts, that is being done for commercial purposes. Where in the supermarket did you stop to look at products? What store displays caught your eye and you stopped to look? What restaurants do you visit frequently? Where do you stop for gas? Where does your secret girlfriend live, and when are you there?
If you think this isn't happening: Think again. You worry about what the authorities know about you? They know next to nothing compared to those who want to influence how you spend your money.
And you gave them the totality of your existence voluntarily! I’ve been a computer systems nerd for over half a century, starting with the IBM 7090 in 1963. But I use a 15 year old flip top phone, make calls, get calls, that's it. When it’s off, it’s off.
I head usher at a local theater. One evening, a patron having left the theater at the end of the show discovered she'd dropped her iPhone. Of course, it had been turned off prior to the show, and was still off.
We searched and couldn't find it. Her husband had his, dialed her number, punched in a secret code -- and it rang.
Moral of the story: Your modern phone is never off so long as it has a charged battery. You can be tracked, everywhere you go -- and, dollars to donuts, that is being done for commercial purposes. Where in the supermarket did you stop to look at products? What store displays caught your eye and you stopped to look? What restaurants do you visit frequently? Where do you stop for gas? Where does your secret girlfriend live, and when are you there?
If you think this isn't happening: Think again. You worry about what the authorities know about you? They know next to nothing compared to those who want to influence how you spend your money.
And you gave them the totality of your existence voluntarily! I’ve been a computer systems nerd for over half a century, starting with the IBM 7090 in 1963. But I use a 15 year old flip top phone, make calls, get calls, that's it. When it’s off, it’s off.
40
Best power-saving hint... Put it in your pocket and leave it there.
19
Here's a big one that's often overlooked. If you're not in cellular coverage and or in a metal building that's blocking an already weak signal your VZW phone will be constantly looking for a signal thus killing your battery.
12
Why didn't Ashlei just ask someone to borrow their phone for a few minutes?
Or why didn't Ashlei just go to some office or store in Disneyland and use the phone there? Doesn't she have any common sense?
Or why didn't Ashlei just go to some office or store in Disneyland and use the phone there? Doesn't she have any common sense?
46
In 2016, I am sorry, but I don't feel much sympathy for Ms. Temeña, a San Francisco **support technician**. As others have mentioned, she had an iPhone and was in Disneyland. A quick stop to any Disney store would have likely yielded someone with an iPhone charger or instructions on where to go to get some juice (at worst, I'm guessing there's something in Guest Services). Here's an entire ARTICLE about various options, which she would have learned of if she asked a Cast Member rather than wandering aimlessly for four hours. http://travelmamas.com/how-to-charge-your-smart-phone-battery-at-disneyl...
But more importantly, as that link references, her trip was Thanksgiving 2015 and she's a support tech. She really didn't know to bring an extra battery pack (and/or carry your charger with you) when you go to places like Disneyland? And didn't know that when she failed that step and had a dead phone separated from her group to ask a Disney Cast Member for assistance? Come on.
With all due respect, the focus of the article should be on trip planning and what to do when you get into this situation (i.e., not just search Disneyland for four hours). Or, alternatively, the story on extending your battery life should not use the anecdote from Ms. Temeña because her issue during her Disneyland trip, one I trust she won't make again, is a lack of planning and a lack of understanding to just ask a someone for help.
But more importantly, as that link references, her trip was Thanksgiving 2015 and she's a support tech. She really didn't know to bring an extra battery pack (and/or carry your charger with you) when you go to places like Disneyland? And didn't know that when she failed that step and had a dead phone separated from her group to ask a Disney Cast Member for assistance? Come on.
With all due respect, the focus of the article should be on trip planning and what to do when you get into this situation (i.e., not just search Disneyland for four hours). Or, alternatively, the story on extending your battery life should not use the anecdote from Ms. Temeña because her issue during her Disneyland trip, one I trust she won't make again, is a lack of planning and a lack of understanding to just ask a someone for help.
29
And if she knew any of her family member's phone numbers, she could have just asked to use a friendly stranger's phone (or a disney employee) to call them.
Alternatively, the family should have done what many families and all camp/youth/school groups do, which is to say, if you get separated, we all will meet at such and such landmark.
Alternatively, the family should have done what many families and all camp/youth/school groups do, which is to say, if you get separated, we all will meet at such and such landmark.
15
I checked my iPhone's battery usage tab to see which app has been consuming the most power. Answer: the NYT app. More than twice as much as the next one.
23
When on vacation and taking lots of photos and videos, it's important for android phones to set the photo backup function to run only when plugged into a power source.
5
Hey, Siri. Conserve battery power! That's all one should really need to do. Siri-ously.
20
Tip 7 Android is impossible on a modern unrooted Android device.
2
Very useful article! I found that the NYT app was the single biggest user of background battery minutes on my phone! I just disabled background refresh for the app. Thanks NYT!
11
There are several external chargers which are pretty small and light.
Wouldn't go anywhere without one.
Wouldn't go anywhere without one.
4
Another useful tip: if your phone is 2 years old or more and you use it a lot every day, consider replacing the battery. Yes, this is usually much easier for most Android phones than for iPhones, but after hundreds of 'charge cycles' any battery will begin to lose its capacity, and after a while battery life will almost drop off a cliff.
On my Samsung GS4 I replaced the battery after about 2 1/2 years and the difference in battery life was strikingly noticeable - almost double I would estimate. Additionally as the article states, Li battery technology advances slowly but it does advance. The new battery you buy today will be 20-30% better than the one that came with your 2-3 year old phone originally.
I even did the same thing with my tablet when I found myself having to plug it back into the charger after only a couple of hours use.
On my Samsung GS4 I replaced the battery after about 2 1/2 years and the difference in battery life was strikingly noticeable - almost double I would estimate. Additionally as the article states, Li battery technology advances slowly but it does advance. The new battery you buy today will be 20-30% better than the one that came with your 2-3 year old phone originally.
I even did the same thing with my tablet when I found myself having to plug it back into the charger after only a couple of hours use.
26
Galaxy Note 4 user here...and I get 2-3 DAYS of usage out of my phone per charge! I wouldn't buy a phone which couldn't last this long, as there have been times where it's 2-3 days before I can get to the next working power outlet.
ALSO: Portable battery packs. They're cheap enough now that everyone should have one for emergency purposes. I use mine when flying cattle class and the plane doesn't have in-seat power. I've also used it when I'm out in the boonies and there's no power for miles, or I'd have to fire up a large, noisy generator just to charge my phone.
Fail to prepare -- prepare to fail! I don't have much sympathy for Ms. Temeña. She works in the IT field testing software. I'd hope she'd have enough sense to understand how bad battery life on some smartphones can be.
ALSO: Portable battery packs. They're cheap enough now that everyone should have one for emergency purposes. I use mine when flying cattle class and the plane doesn't have in-seat power. I've also used it when I'm out in the boonies and there's no power for miles, or I'd have to fire up a large, noisy generator just to charge my phone.
Fail to prepare -- prepare to fail! I don't have much sympathy for Ms. Temeña. She works in the IT field testing software. I'd hope she'd have enough sense to understand how bad battery life on some smartphones can be.
5
Thank you for this!! For an unsophisticated user like me, this article is a great help! I've been fretting over rapid battery depletion on my iPhone 6 for a long time. Suddenly I'm feeling in more control. Much appreciated.
12
Why didn't she just go to Disneyland customer service and ask to borrow a charging cable? Surely someone who works at Disneyland has a charging cable! But no ... she chooses to walk around aimlessly for 4 hours! She could have charged for 15" to call her family.
22
My first thought as well. Better yet, once connected the phone would have powered on and she could have called immediately then powered if off once they agreed at a meeting location.
4
And obviously there's thousands of other visitors yakking on their cells in the Park. If battery life is so fleeting, how do they do it?
2
Completely agree with you and Disney staff are extremely helpful. Also, at the end of this article, she says that the phone needs to have a better battery. That's valid, but cars could have bigger fuel tanks and still some people would run out of fuel. Everyone has to learn to be a little bit responsible.
7
I travel two hours, away from home, for work. If I don't Power Off, by the time I get to my destination, I have no juice. Forget about using my phone, at work. I don't plug it in, for fear of forgetting it, there. Yes, indeed! It's a NY HUGE problem.
3
I've noticed I've gone from charging every evening to now every evening and midday at work, and the only thing that changed is my Android OS updated to an "improved" version. The only other change I noticed is the screen icons are slightly different, visually. Thanks Android.
4
I have been using a Casemate wallet with battery pack with my iPhone 6S since September and the charge lasts from morning until I put it on the chargers around 10PM at night. I stream podcasts, music, and audio books for at least half of that time while I'm working in my shop and the charge on the phone by the end of the day rarely drops to under 80%. Most of the time it's at 100% all day long. It also keep my wallet and my phone in one package and that's convenient. With a bluetooth headset (spend the money on the LG HBS900 - it's worth it) you're set.
1
How about a link at Wirecutter to this study? It is not featured on their home page.
2
It's on their homepage on the right side under the "New Things" header.
1
I was thinking that these same principles would apply to the GPS Tracker for Pets that are gaining popularity.... I just purchased one for my Lab and I hope I can extend the batty life of the device. Here is where I bought mine. GPS Tracker
Hello? Apple and Android phone developers? Are you there? How about we make the batteries simple to change in phones so consumers can bring along a spare or two? If battery technology isn't going to change, how about the design of the phone itself? This can't be that hard. Oh wait, why do I suspect you already know how to do this....hmmmmm.
14
Not a problem on Android phones....
5
This is vastly better tech reporting than what is commonly found in the NYT Tech heading.
9
I have a Samsung Galaxy S5. The phone is an older smartphone model but it has excellent battery life. Additionally, there is a power saving mode and an ultra power saving mode. I have it set up so that my ultra power saving mode gives me text, phone and internet access only. If I'm at 15% power and decide to turn ultra power saving mode on, the phone can last ANOTHER day. If I was in Ashlei's situation and noticed that I was losing power, I would have switched to ultra power saving mode. It would have likely saved her heartache.
3
Dont buy an S6. It is 10 times worse then the S5 for battery life.
And the battery on S6 is not replaceable.
And the battery on S6 is not replaceable.
7
Or you could stick with the Samsung Note 4. The LAST GREAT smart phone. Replaceable battery and expandable storage. I carry 2 extra batteries in my bag and I'm never S.O.L. (fyi, the batteries cost $8 each on Amazon). These people don't know what they're missing. Of course, now that Samsung has followed the leader Apple and changed the replaceable battery in the note 5 & Edge, I may never update again. Long live the Note 4.
7
You'd think someone at Disneyland, the happiest place on earth, could have let her use their cell phone, or charger. Good grief - are people really that isolated from reality that they wouldn't just ASK?
21
One rarely mentioned, but that I find has a huge impact, is use of the ring/silent switch on the iPhone. When that is in silent mode, it seems to have a significant impact (15-20%) on shortening battery life. No idea why this should be the case, but others have verified the same problem.
3
It's very easy to replace the battery on an iPhone. Lots of vendors sell them and provide tutorials.
We see something like this every week and have for years. We simply need better battery life.
Moore's Law lets manufacturers double the "smarts" in smart phones every few years, which significantly increases power demands. Battery technology is on a 5-10 year cycle. The only reason this works is better power management software, but improvements in this technology haven't been enough to keep up with Moore's...
Another battery hog is your phone's camera, which could be the culprit in places like Disneyland. If you're going to be snapping a lot of pictures throughout the day, it's a good idea to being along a camera or an external battery pack.
6
Proper planning prevents poor performance
2
Best of all, buy a phone with a removable battery and carry a charged spare if you think you may need it.
2
Another tip: turn off Bluetooth if you don't need it. Haven't noticed it so much on my iPhone, but it made a big difference the Android I used to use (which had terrible battery life). And I can attest that GPS does indeed consume a lot of battery power.
3
I don't use my Sony Experia Android phone very much: with just 1 or 2 short calls per day, the battery lasts maybe 3 or 4 days. But if I go to the Recent Apps page (the right hand button at the bottom), and flick away the phone app each time after I use it, the battery lasts for at least a week! How come?
Another option to save battery life could be to put the phone down and talk to the people around you.
80
Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!
1
I recently switched to a motorola droid 2 turbo. I notice a huge difference from my prior 3-yr old phone (a samsung galaxy 3s). I can literally go for almost 2 straight days of normal use (I usually have wireless off, no gps unless needed and auto brightness as recommended). This phone also goes from zero to 100% charged in less than 2 hours when you use the turbo cable. Perhaps having the right phone - if battery power is important to you - is better than practicing all these tips. And BTW - I can no longer swap out the used battery for a fresh one, but now I carry a very small power pack for emergencies. They are pretty inexpensive.
6
I am a classic early adopter when it comes to smartphones. However, I am sticking with my Samsung galaxy 4 until another Samsung phone with a replaceable battery comes along. I carry 3 small batteries the size of hotel soap in my purse. I never ever worry about running out of juice. It's ironic that in the interest of slim design, phone makers forgo replaceable batteries forcing users to carry clunky fat cases or bulky tethered chargers.
14
For a long time I accepted only phones with batteries I could swap out when depleted. Finally had to give up to get the service I want. But, that's the only sane way to make portable devices -- provide a way to keep using them when away from the mains.
5
Thats why I'm hanging on to my Galaxy s5. Its the last Galaxy with a battery that can be swapped out.
You have no idea how great it is to be able to buy a new battery for $15-$20 (and not some Chinese knockoff either) and then *poof*, all the weak battery problems go away.
I really don't understand why cell phone makers have made it so you can't change the batteries.
Really think its planned obsolescence. Force people to buy a new phone every 2-3 years because even if your phone is perfect, the batterys so weak you cant get a decent charge. And yes, I know you can send it iff to have the battery replaced. But really, whos going to go without a phone for a week or two in this day and age?
Heres a question that I would be interested in people responding to: Would you be willing to have a ever so slightly thicker and heavier (according to a phone site .32in thick for the s5 vs .27in for the s6 and 5.11oz s5 vs 4.87oz) phone for the option to swap out the battery and extend your phone's functional life?
You have no idea how great it is to be able to buy a new battery for $15-$20 (and not some Chinese knockoff either) and then *poof*, all the weak battery problems go away.
I really don't understand why cell phone makers have made it so you can't change the batteries.
Really think its planned obsolescence. Force people to buy a new phone every 2-3 years because even if your phone is perfect, the batterys so weak you cant get a decent charge. And yes, I know you can send it iff to have the battery replaced. But really, whos going to go without a phone for a week or two in this day and age?
Heres a question that I would be interested in people responding to: Would you be willing to have a ever so slightly thicker and heavier (according to a phone site .32in thick for the s5 vs .27in for the s6 and 5.11oz s5 vs 4.87oz) phone for the option to swap out the battery and extend your phone's functional life?
6
How about a smaller phone? I still use my HTC incredible 4, just waiting for someone to come out with something that isn't a phablet.
1
Why didn't she go to Disneyland customer service and ask to borrow a charging cable? Surely someone working at Disneyland had one. Tops wandering around for FOUR hours!!!
35
In 4 hours it never occurred to Ms. Temeña to borrow some other Disneyland visitor's phone for 20 seconds to call her family? Please update the story with her place of work so I can be sure to ask for another "support technician" should I ever need to call her employer.
25
unfortunately it's possible that she does not know the numbers by heart. That is a quickly dying skill as most people just have phone numbers stored in their phone and not their head.
She probably did not know their numbers!
People don't feel the need to memorize the phone numbers (even the important ones) anymore. During land line only days, I used to be able to recall at least 20 numbers of friends and relatives but not anymore.
1
Can someone please answer this question: Is it true that if i have my iPhone 5 plugged in and the battery is fully charged, that it will negatively affect the battery life? So if I plug it in when I go to sleep, obviously it will be charged fully but I will be asleep and won't be awake to unplug it. I was told this by an Apple Genius when I went in because my one year old battery went from 100% to 14% over the course of two hours when I had the phone turned off. (Also he tested my battery and said that it was "consumed" but not defective so I would have to pay for a new battery!)
If the answer is yes, why doesn't Apple put that in BOLD on their welcome pamphlet? I told this to all my friends and no one knew this. Everyone I know plugs her phone in at night so it is fully charged to start one's day.
If the answer is yes, why doesn't Apple put that in BOLD on their welcome pamphlet? I told this to all my friends and no one knew this. Everyone I know plugs her phone in at night so it is fully charged to start one's day.
5
Leaving the charger plugged in will almost certainly not hurt the battery if you use brand-name equipment - all reputable manufacturers build their chargers so they shut down when the battery is charged. But with no-name batteries or phones, you should err on the side of caution and charge only when you are present, and awake.
See: http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/lithium_ion_safety_concerns
See: http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/lithium_ion_safety_concerns
2
That habit alone won't deplete a battery. Most people charge their devices at night.
Running the battery hard (from full to really low, recharge, and repeat) is generally what ruins a battery. This varies slightly by manufacturer. One reliable way to ruin a battery is to use your phone as a hotspot/tether. That capability should be used very sparingly.
There are also environmental factors, like heat and extreme cold. Batteries don't like either end, and mostly heat. There is circuitry to protect against excessive heat.
The further below 50% your battery falls, the less you need to use it. By the time you are at approx 30% or less, you might as well turn it off or put it to deep sleep and use it only for the essentials. Doing this once will not damage a good battery, doing it all the time guarantees battery depletion in the first year.
This holds true of most rechargeable devices of current battery tech (lithium-ion and related). Your best bet is to go online and find out what your device manufacturer recommends to extend battery life.
Running the battery hard (from full to really low, recharge, and repeat) is generally what ruins a battery. This varies slightly by manufacturer. One reliable way to ruin a battery is to use your phone as a hotspot/tether. That capability should be used very sparingly.
There are also environmental factors, like heat and extreme cold. Batteries don't like either end, and mostly heat. There is circuitry to protect against excessive heat.
The further below 50% your battery falls, the less you need to use it. By the time you are at approx 30% or less, you might as well turn it off or put it to deep sleep and use it only for the essentials. Doing this once will not damage a good battery, doing it all the time guarantees battery depletion in the first year.
This holds true of most rechargeable devices of current battery tech (lithium-ion and related). Your best bet is to go online and find out what your device manufacturer recommends to extend battery life.
1
Permanent batteries are the smart phone manufacturers form of planned obsolescence. I had a corporate Blackberry for years and a few extra batteries that could be popped in quickly, allowing me to go days without a charger.
I was talked into an Android Motorola phone and now have to lug around a bulky external battery and cable to back up the tired "old" permanent battery after just barely two years of use.
Last time I checked, Samsung still makes a replaceable battery phone. That will be my #1 criteria for the next phone.
I was talked into an Android Motorola phone and now have to lug around a bulky external battery and cable to back up the tired "old" permanent battery after just barely two years of use.
Last time I checked, Samsung still makes a replaceable battery phone. That will be my #1 criteria for the next phone.
5
Battery packs are one solution to the dead phone problem. If you rely heavily on your phone, you should have one.
3
another option is to go with a "dumb" phone. I only needed to recharge that twice a week.
5
Lithium ion batteries are not safe, not from the air freight carriers point of view.
1
Oddly, people never complain that they need to fill up their car's gas tank after they do a lot of driving, but they do blame phone manufacturers when they use their devices more and more and have to keep charging it.
This may be because people have a poor sense of what activities use more energy and which use less. Phones could readily display the current drain at the moment if manufacturers wanted them to.
This may be because people have a poor sense of what activities use more energy and which use less. Phones could readily display the current drain at the moment if manufacturers wanted them to.
28
If we needed to drive constantly throughout the day, and your gas tank ended up empty at least once a day, and refilling took several hours, and you could only refill it at home or by carrying a spare tank of gas with you ... you bet people would be complaining about refilling their gas tank.
17
A phone can be charged in a car and in almost any public space with an outlet (Hello? Carry a cable in your pocket.) If the battery doesn't last a day, it's a user issue.
5
I have a Net 10 Android phone. When I purchased it I had to install the battery. I like Net 10 because I can purchase "pay as you go" minutes. I'm not locked into any contract. The phone cost about $70. If I can't replace it the battery when it dies, I'll just buy a new phone.....$70 people!!!!
2
Had one of those and it was terrible. Not just the bad Android operating system, but the battery life was terrible - could run down completely in a few hours with GPS and bluetooth on. And Net10 connectivity coverage was terrible (might be fine in the city, but very definitely not in the country).
Much happier with my much more expensive iPhone.
Much happier with my much more expensive iPhone.
Given that this article was written in February, I was astonished that there was not any mention of the temperature effect on battery power. My phone consistently dies at temperatures which I would only rate as chilly, even when in a pocket of my clothing. The phone bounces back to life when brought back to room temperature with a reasonably full charge showing. A little more insight on how long these phones function at low temps would be useful.
9
Cameras with ion batteries face the same problem.
1
I had my phone in my purse on the floor during a long flight. I wondered why when I looked at the time halfway through the flight it said 10% remaining on the battery, and then when I sat in the terminal for an hour or so during layover, it came back to 90% or so. Thanks!
1
Simple solution, Galaxy Note 4, 10,000 Mah battery. You can leave EVErYthINg on and your battery will last three days!
3
Agreed. Galaxy Note 4 is the last GREAT smartphone. Replaceable battery and expandable memory. These people don't know what they're missing.
I haven't figured out why it works but when I put the phone into airplane mode by using GPS apps I can wake up the GPS only (but not the cell receivers or bluetooth or wifi or whatever other radios are jammed in there) and get a lot of days of life off any cell phone grid while still keeping track of where I am. I like that.
1
Monitor your apps. Any time I add an app and the battery suddenly starts draining faster, the app gets the 'heavy ho' unless it's rapacious nature can be tamed.
The statement "buyer beware" should be thought of as "installer beware" when it comes to cellphones.
The statement "buyer beware" should be thought of as "installer beware" when it comes to cellphones.
3
I work on the bleeding edge of high tech, yet I am struck that the new digital reality brought on by the trendy parts of my industry is somehow branded as social.
Having social skills, my parents taught me, means that you have the ability to interact with anyone you encounter including during times of need.
It is ironic that a dead device battery can incapacitate someone who is surrounded by a sea of people with fully charged batteries, adapters and power banks.
FYI, as another commenter so well put it, batteries obey laws of physics and regrettably they are not easily replacable because most of the target consumers want thin and light. The batteries on most recent phones need to fit on what is essentially an air gap within the case. A very careful service center can replace any battery without destroying miniature antennas, connectors and sensors in the process.
Having social skills, my parents taught me, means that you have the ability to interact with anyone you encounter including during times of need.
It is ironic that a dead device battery can incapacitate someone who is surrounded by a sea of people with fully charged batteries, adapters and power banks.
FYI, as another commenter so well put it, batteries obey laws of physics and regrettably they are not easily replacable because most of the target consumers want thin and light. The batteries on most recent phones need to fit on what is essentially an air gap within the case. A very careful service center can replace any battery without destroying miniature antennas, connectors and sensors in the process.
39
I was hoping to see here whether it is preferable to always let the phone run down considerably before recharging, or whether it is OK to charge it up each night regardless of how much charge is left. I've seen a lot of anecdotal evidence on both sides, but no scientific answer.
8
Charge it when convenient, regardless of the state of charge of the battery. Lithium Ion batteries do not suffer from the Ni-Cd memory effect. The battery should withstand 500 full charges over its lifetime. Note that if you routinely charge it from 50% to 100%, then that is considered one-half of a full charge, so you'd get 1000 of them (3 years or so, roughly).
hth.
hth.
5
I heard a news story on the radio today regarding a study which reports that a large majority of people are literally addicted to their cell phones - checking them an average of 256 times per day --
The report goes on to say that the researchers were able to discover that the pleasure signals triggered in the brain from checking one's phone are the same as those triggered by a dosage of cocaine...
Also -
Not surprisingly - of those 256-plus instances in a day when people check their phones - a large majority of them are for social media -
And - oh yes -- If you've enjoyed reading this article on the New York Times website -- please make sure to follow "like" them on Facebook - share it with your friends on Google+ - and send connect with other readers on Twitter --
The report goes on to say that the researchers were able to discover that the pleasure signals triggered in the brain from checking one's phone are the same as those triggered by a dosage of cocaine...
Also -
Not surprisingly - of those 256-plus instances in a day when people check their phones - a large majority of them are for social media -
And - oh yes -- If you've enjoyed reading this article on the New York Times website -- please make sure to follow "like" them on Facebook - share it with your friends on Google+ - and send connect with other readers on Twitter --
9
I give your comment a "Like".
1
If your phone battery is always running out the problem may be you.
Put the phone down and focus on the real world.
Put the phone down and focus on the real world.
16
Illuminating your phone's screen uses far more battery than any other feature. Turn your screen off immediately after every use. The screen will time-out eventually, but the time before it darkens uses a lot of battery life.
6
Saw that 60% of my average usage was just because the screen was on
1
Good info. Another thought would be to consider living a little without your phone. I get two full days of active usage. But I also don't stare at it all day. Look around, listen to the wind. Have some thoughts from your own brain.
Try to remember that just a few years ago it was OK to wait until you got home to pick up messages or emails. It still is.
When you lost someone in a park or store, they made announcements. This woman lost fours hours wandering around because she didn't ask for help.
Try to remember that just a few years ago it was OK to wait until you got home to pick up messages or emails. It still is.
When you lost someone in a park or store, they made announcements. This woman lost fours hours wandering around because she didn't ask for help.
76
In the I-phone 6 under settings battery, I set it at low batterry mode which reduces mail fetch and some refresh functions.
I use Mophie Great for long trips when using gps apps that really drain the battery
I use Mophie Great for long trips when using gps apps that really drain the battery
1
that someone's phone died and ruined her day at Disneyland is a symptom of the times. There was a time when folks didn't have these things, the rule would be, if we get separated we all meet at such and such. A little forethought and a little less dependence would have saved someone a lot of grief, how easily we are addicted.
96
Did your examples fully charge their phone the night before? Never needed to tweak my settings.
1
"support technician"?
Is that like a "process facilitator", or an "activity provider"?
Is that like a "process facilitator", or an "activity provider"?
2
To slow down the process of loss of battery capacity with age, try to avoid leaving the phone on overnight with the battery plugged in. The battery ages faster when being constantly recharged while at nearly 100% capacity. Try to charge only overnight with the phone "off", if the phone permits this. If not, charge if to 100% in the evening and turn it off overnight without charging. Also, keep the battery between 30% and 90% of capacity, if you don't really need 100% to get through the day.
15
" The battery ages faster when being constantly recharged while at nearly 100% capacity. "
I know this is true for NiCad but it is it true for LiOn?
I know this is true for NiCad but it is it true for LiOn?
Thanks for your comment APS. My Macbook has a lithium battery. I can't find the original source of my assertion, but this source definitely states that it is bad to keep the charger on all the time due to the higher voltages when a fully charged battery is plugged in. http://www.cultofmac.com/147994/getting-the-most-out-of-your-macs-batter...
The Guardian ran an article recently about the Facebook app on Android devices. The appS (FB, Messenger, pages, etc.) are hungry with memory and batteries. The journal estimated the drain to about 20%. I uninstalled them and can only concur : it works, I gained battery life and my phone feels faster (and my limited data plan holds a month now). Please app makers : take into account that not everyone wants to use your app on the latest most powerful phone and that your customers prefer a snappy interface rather than autostarting videos...
4
Bring along an extra usb style battery - think ahead.
1
First I couldn't believe this woman (in tech support?!?) wandered Disneyland for four hours missing the obvious.
Then I read some comments here, and couldn't believe how many people likewise completely missed the obvious by suggesting "Why not borrow someone's phone," and others correctly responding "But maybe she forgot the numbers" but themselves STILL missing the obvious.
Disneyland probably has DOZENS (if not hundreds) of places and kiosks and people with cables/chargers to plug in your phone for TWO MINUTES to turn it on and CALL YOUR FAMILY.
Thank you. I'm better now.
/rant
Then I read some comments here, and couldn't believe how many people likewise completely missed the obvious by suggesting "Why not borrow someone's phone," and others correctly responding "But maybe she forgot the numbers" but themselves STILL missing the obvious.
Disneyland probably has DOZENS (if not hundreds) of places and kiosks and people with cables/chargers to plug in your phone for TWO MINUTES to turn it on and CALL YOUR FAMILY.
Thank you. I'm better now.
/rant
98
Ditto!
@Danr: Not a rant at all, but rather exactly the course of action that should have been taken. Even if NO other guests had a charger to loan, Disney cast members would have found an iPhone charger in no time. Given iPhone market penetration, the odds are about 1 in 3; even if she has an old 3GS, 4 or 4s, a few quick calls by staff could probably turn up an old 30-pin adapter. Take 2-5 minutes to reach a charge level that allows the call, then ask your family to meet you where you're charging and get another ~15 minutes to get to 10-15%.
I understand that, for the author, leading with this tale of woe makes a good intro, but I can't find much sympathy for a "support technician" who couldn't figure a way to get a minimal charge – and moreover ignored her battery status as it plunged below 20% (red icon) to 10%, 5% and finally off. "[T]hrow my iPhone on the ground"? My goodness, is this kind of tantrum where we're all headed in lieu of common sense? If so, we're doomed.
I understand that, for the author, leading with this tale of woe makes a good intro, but I can't find much sympathy for a "support technician" who couldn't figure a way to get a minimal charge – and moreover ignored her battery status as it plunged below 20% (red icon) to 10%, 5% and finally off. "[T]hrow my iPhone on the ground"? My goodness, is this kind of tantrum where we're all headed in lieu of common sense? If so, we're doomed.
4
Avoid buying phones that do not allow you to swap batteries - that eliminates apple- or buy one with a very long battery life such as the sony xperia which can last several days on a charge.
1
When I go with my family to a very crowded place such as Disneyland, we agree beforehand a very specific place to go in case we get separated and cannot find each other. This is something I learned from my father when there were no such things as mobile phones and, as in the case of Ashlei Teme, it can still be useful.
7
omg--a dead battery. It's amazing you survived.
7
Gosh, maybe Ashlei's story is a wake-up call to all parents to start teaching their kids how to handle basic life situations without the aid of a smartphone.
The fact that it didn't even occur to Ashlei to solicit help from other humans is alarming. Her coping skills and self-reliance appear to be non existent.
And for this article to say she "realized she had no way to find anyone" is just plain silly. She was in Disneyland, not the Mojave desert!
The fact that it didn't even occur to Ashlei to solicit help from other humans is alarming. Her coping skills and self-reliance appear to be non existent.
And for this article to say she "realized she had no way to find anyone" is just plain silly. She was in Disneyland, not the Mojave desert!
17
A Mophie Juice Pack will more than double your battery life. The only downside is that your phone is now slightly heavier and slightly bigger. However, this can be a plus, since light cell phones, like the iPhone, can easily slide off your lap and fall into the street -- when you open your car door. Believe me, it happened to me. And I lost my phone. Now I have a Mophie, I never run out of battery and I never have lost my new iPhone. The Mophie also protects my iPhone -- it's a strong case.
1
The writer does not mention the feature on my android samsung s5 phone called simply"power saving" on the settings menu. Activate ultra savingpower mode and you can text, call, use the internet (and Facebook) in black and white screen. My phone currently at 77 percent projects 9.6 days of power in this mode. I use it frequently when traveling to make sure I have the ability to call and text, when I can't recharge. Even at very low percentages of battery life, it can last for a day or two.
2
The article left out the one trick that worked best for me - just switch the phone to Airplane mode when you're not using it, rather than turning it off.
I found that when I charge the phone and unplug it just before I go to bed, the following morning the power charge still reads 100% if it spends the night on Airplane mode.
Before, it would read 85% the following morning. And it also doesn't get hot anymore, either.
I also removed my email accounts from my phone because the synch stopped working very well anyway, and most communication with friends has shifted to texting anyway.
Buying external batteries is like buying a larger pants to help you lose weight. It's best to work with what you have rather than keep feeding the greedy phone!
I found that when I charge the phone and unplug it just before I go to bed, the following morning the power charge still reads 100% if it spends the night on Airplane mode.
Before, it would read 85% the following morning. And it also doesn't get hot anymore, either.
I also removed my email accounts from my phone because the synch stopped working very well anyway, and most communication with friends has shifted to texting anyway.
Buying external batteries is like buying a larger pants to help you lose weight. It's best to work with what you have rather than keep feeding the greedy phone!
5
One tip/trick that I did not see mentioned is incorporated in the iOS. In Settings under the Battery tab just turn on Low Power Mode which will greatly conserve battery life until it is recharged above 85%. Works perfectly for those long days at Disney.
These are fine preventative tips, but they can only forestall the inevitable: You will be stuck with a dead phone at some point. We always carry an external battery (or case such as a Mophie) when there's a possibility of the phone running out "in the field." Or, at a minimum, put the power adapter in your pocket. Also: don't be afraid to ask to borrow a phone or even a phone charger for a few minutes.
8
Flintstones, kindling, and a large sanitized blanket are all good equipment. If you're afraid to borrow a phone or charger, you may be easily frightened. Stay home.
No one should be that addicted to a phone, but I do need to gloat:
Motorola Droid Turbo 2. I don't have to do any of those things and the battery lasts two days, no need to carry around a battery extender. Oh yes, I also enjoy the unbreakable screen and ballistic nylon/metal exterior: no need for a bulky case. Did I mention that it is waterproof? Lighting fast? Amazing camera?
Motorola Droid Turbo 2. I don't have to do any of those things and the battery lasts two days, no need to carry around a battery extender. Oh yes, I also enjoy the unbreakable screen and ballistic nylon/metal exterior: no need for a bulky case. Did I mention that it is waterproof? Lighting fast? Amazing camera?
9
I know I am hard on things but I have definitely gouged up the case of my turbo 2 and also scratched (but not shattered) the screen.
Although it is true I can use airplane mode and then get enough battery to gps a weekend backpacking trip while taking all the pictures I want. That is pretty cool.
Love it!!!
If having power is critical,I guess you could turn it "off" when you aren't using it would save a lot of battery? Turn it on every hour to check in or whatever.
2
If you buy a battery case, you have to replace it when you replace the phone. I bought a sleek Mophi, a short USB cable and a nice black sleeve for the Mophi. It goes well with the Otterbox. I can hike all day using the GPS.
1
All of this is a result of Apple making their phones thinner and thinner, throwing aside battery life for a phone that's too thin to comfortably hold. A clear failure of design in which form does not follow function.
16
couldn't she just have found a phone booth and called who she lost.
7
What's a phone booth?
41
When have you last seen a phone booth, John?
18
She could've easily visited Disney customer service and I'm sure they would have charged her phone a bit to get her going.
1
Although I can sympathize with Ashlei Temeña predicament at Disneyland, I cannot agree with her rather thoughtless solution: wander aimlessly around for three hours in hope of sighting her family.
Disney parks are jammed with very helpful staff members (in uniform and out) who could have gotten Ashlei back in touch with her family within a few minutes. All she had to do was ask.
Disney parks are jammed with very helpful staff members (in uniform and out) who could have gotten Ashlei back in touch with her family within a few minutes. All she had to do was ask.
85
Well, as others have said, she perhaps did not remember the numbers. I carry paper lists of numbers with me but also do not use my contacts to make calls to important people. I just dial. So I do have my spouse's phone number and my boss's phone number committed to memory by using them from scratch often.
But I bet Disney folks have other ways of locating patrons. She did not have a true emergency, it seems, so maybe they would not have searched, but it must have been frustrating. I once "lost" my college age kid near the World Trade Center site when there was still a huge crater in the ground. I did not have a cell phone with me at that point. My technique was to get close to a subway entrance and stand still, not wander. He found me.
But I bet Disney folks have other ways of locating patrons. She did not have a true emergency, it seems, so maybe they would not have searched, but it must have been frustrating. I once "lost" my college age kid near the World Trade Center site when there was still a huge crater in the ground. I did not have a cell phone with me at that point. My technique was to get close to a subway entrance and stand still, not wander. He found me.
9
Call me old school, but I have memorized the phone number of my husband and each of our grown kids. Sometimes it's really important to rely on our own brains, which never run out of power!
4
An excellent way to do this is by not having a smartphone. You think you need it? If your answer is yes -- you're lying in a grand way to yourself.
But you say "no .. I just want it". You're still lying to yourself. You have talked yourself into needing and wanting it -- for whatever reason.
Why am I so certain? a. we lived millenia w/o them. b. many of us don't buy in. c. cell phone towers. d. incredible repository of your time and money. e. they interrupt, cubed. f. dependency is never good.
Break your cellphone-opiate habit!
But you say "no .. I just want it". You're still lying to yourself. You have talked yourself into needing and wanting it -- for whatever reason.
Why am I so certain? a. we lived millenia w/o them. b. many of us don't buy in. c. cell phone towers. d. incredible repository of your time and money. e. they interrupt, cubed. f. dependency is never good.
Break your cellphone-opiate habit!
20
I don't "need" a washing machine or a refrigerator, but I'm very happy I have them.
45
If you want to shop and hold food, you in fact do need a refrigerator. If you want clean clothes, you will need a washer. There is no corresponding cannot-do-without benefit a smartphone provides. You can keep in touch with a Tracphone if you 'need' to.
17
I got rid of the smart phone. The stupid phone (a nice little flip phone) does all I need it to do and a charge lasts 10 days
2
I have been very happy with my (Apple) Smart Battery Case!
One (lightning) cord to charge the case and phone simultaneously.
No more mid-afternoon battery refills!
I did have trouble adjusting to seeing 100% whenever I checked the battery level on my phone but, after a few months, I lost the habit of constantly glancing at the upper right corner of my screen.
One (lightning) cord to charge the case and phone simultaneously.
No more mid-afternoon battery refills!
I did have trouble adjusting to seeing 100% whenever I checked the battery level on my phone but, after a few months, I lost the habit of constantly glancing at the upper right corner of my screen.
3
I find it troubling that your second recommendation is an ad blocker, especially when digital journalism relies on mobile ad revenue to survive. I understand that ads drain battery. But they also allow users to access nearly all content on the Internet for free. If ad blocker adoption continues at this rate, digital publishers will be forced to institute paywalls - per month or per article payments to enjoy content you currently access for free. I for one choose slightly lower mobile web load times and battery drains over this inevitable alternative.
6
Which big online newspaper sites don't already have paywalls?
Sorry, Brad, but when most content that I pay to download ends up being ads, and those ads are so intrusive that they prevent me from reading the content itself, consumers are forced into using an ad blocker. A more judicious placement of ads, and elimination of obnoxious autoplay video ads, would obviate the need for blockers.
4
You missed the biggest one: Turn off background content refresh.
14
agree, that's the biggest one I've learned for my iPhone
This is why I still have an excellent-functioning 6 year old Blackberry. Yes, it is useless for anything more than phone calls, e-mail and texting, but at least I can still replace the battery! The built-in obsolescence of the "latest and greatest" shows it is not so great after all. . . Would have upgraded last year to the new Blackberry "Classic" with full keypad and touchscreen but unfortunately it does not have a removable battery.
6
I replaced the battery on my iPhone 5 myself with an online kit. I'm technologically brave and was willing to try. For the less courageous Batteries + will change them.
7
My iPhone 5 (or is it a 5S? I don't even know!) is 35 months old and the battery life is abysmal. I'm debating whether to get a new battery or buy a new phone. This was my first cell phone, having relied on a land line previously. The cost of potentially buying a new phone every three years (and the incumbent cost of having a "plan") is deeply dismaying. How do people afford this? I have become a prisoner of my phone!
28
If the phone otherwise still works fine, replace the battery. They'll do it for you at the Apple Store for $79 (in the US, at least).
4
I recommend a basic non-smartphone. They still wear out, but are easier to replace. Unlimited calling and texting are more affordable this way as well.
@dag
I don't know if Google's Project Fi is offered in TO but if it is consider switching to it (you'll need a compatible phone though and iphones are not supported). It is a very economical offering. My spouse LOVES it. And the customer experience is the exact opposite of what you get with Rogers or the other big telcos.
If your phone does work for you (aside from not holding a charge for too long) consider having the battery replaced if that is cheap. If you need a new handset you may as well do some research and evaluate what mobile offering options will work with your budget. It sounds like you are not a heavy user of mobile data and shouldn't have to pay into a high premium plan.
I don't know if Google's Project Fi is offered in TO but if it is consider switching to it (you'll need a compatible phone though and iphones are not supported). It is a very economical offering. My spouse LOVES it. And the customer experience is the exact opposite of what you get with Rogers or the other big telcos.
If your phone does work for you (aside from not holding a charge for too long) consider having the battery replaced if that is cheap. If you need a new handset you may as well do some research and evaluate what mobile offering options will work with your budget. It sounds like you are not a heavy user of mobile data and shouldn't have to pay into a high premium plan.
The saddest article about anything that I have read in the last 24 hours.
Don’t know what is worse - the story itself or the helpful commenters.
Inventing the wheel was world changing technology, folks.
Facebook, Uber and battery life do not compare.
Don’t know what is worse - the story itself or the helpful commenters.
Inventing the wheel was world changing technology, folks.
Facebook, Uber and battery life do not compare.
11
Saddest article you've read in 24 hours, and you're sarcastic towards the commenters? That's sadder than anything here. You're using technology to pretend that you're above us "folks" reading about the exact same technology.
3
I second the comment about Bluetooth. It is really easy on an iPhone to inadvertently turn Bluetooth on from the control screen when there is not a device within listening distance. If my iPhone battery level is tanking, it’s usually because Bluetooth was turned on accidentally. The penalty is substantial.
4
It's a phone, not a desktop computer. Give your phone number to colleagues and friends. Disable email. Disable wifi. Disable mobile data. Use it only for phone calls and texting. Lasts all day, maybe even two or three.
23
Actually it IS a computer. We call it a phone for historical reasons, but it's a camera, a gps navigator, a weather forecaster, an argument settler, a taxi hailer and dozens of other useful things. After protesting that "It's a phone" you say it should be used for texting, something that phones didn't do for their first 100+ years.
David Pogue, late of this newspaper, tried to get people to call these devices pocket computers. It didn't work. Language changes slowly. We still talk about "dialing" a number even though most phones haven't had dials for a long time.
David Pogue, late of this newspaper, tried to get people to call these devices pocket computers. It didn't work. Language changes slowly. We still talk about "dialing" a number even though most phones haven't had dials for a long time.
5
So, everyone's needs are identical to yours. A primary reason I have a smartphone is so that I can quickly respond to email while on the road. Please recognize that others have different needs from yours, and stop being so condescending.
2
For some of us, mobile connectivity is essential to our professional lives.
3
My favorite trick to extending battery life is to turn off the phone when I know I won't be needing it for a while.
15
After a series of Blackberries I purchased my first iPhone about 6 years ago when making the purchase I told the sales person "I also want a second battery" I was informed "Their are no second batteries their is only one battery that you recharge" I thought that odd
2
Nobody seems to point this out but it is heinous of Apple to have started making the battery a permanently fixed feature of the phone. Now everybody follows along.
How about a replaceable battery like the old phones? I used to buy a device and three extra batteries for exactly this reason.
How about a replaceable battery like the old phones? I used to buy a device and three extra batteries for exactly this reason.
113
Heinous schmeinous; it's just Apple being Apple.
I remember when upgrading the memory in a Mac Plus meant buying not only SIMMs but either a case cracker or a very very long allen wrench - and ignoring a stern warning that merely opening the box would void the factory warranty. So junior high.
I remember when upgrading the memory in a Mac Plus meant buying not only SIMMs but either a case cracker or a very very long allen wrench - and ignoring a stern warning that merely opening the box would void the factory warranty. So junior high.
1
The culture of Narcissism. I stand outside after work every day waiting for the bus and my fellow riders refuse to engage in normal standard discourse. They are so focused on their smartphones it's unreal. Why can't people just talk face to face anymore?
122
I don't understand why you expect strangers to provide you with entertainment. They don't owe you a conversation, and the real "culture of Narcissism" is expecting them to drop whatever they're doing and pay attention to you.
Maybe the reason no one wants to talk to you is because you're uninteresting, rude, or irritating? I often pretend to be texting or listening to music when someone I don't want to interact with is nearby. (Before cell phones, I would hide behind my newspaper--unfortunately, reading the NYT on a phone gives me less space to hide behind!)
Maybe the reason no one wants to talk to you is because you're uninteresting, rude, or irritating? I often pretend to be texting or listening to music when someone I don't want to interact with is nearby. (Before cell phones, I would hide behind my newspaper--unfortunately, reading the NYT on a phone gives me less space to hide behind!)
5
Because face-to-face conversations are so often filled with rudeness, snark, insults, obscenity, condescension, shaming, misinformation, personal attacks, commercial promotions, and outright incomprehensibility. Not like the Internet, a nice safe space where most people treat each other with politeness, fairness, and compassion.
2
My droid has a replaceable battery smaller and cheaper than most power packs. I have a spare. Pop open the case and replace. Crisis over.
10
Carry important phone numbers in your wallet. Then a kind stranger can make your call for you.
76
Great idea. Indeed how many people today even know the number of their closest family member or friend? I have had the same phone number for years and I still don't know my own number exactly.
2
Yep - had trouble connecting with my aunt at Paddington after she arrived at Heathrow - because her phone had died during the overseas flight but I had no idea. Carrying one of those backup batteries in your purse is a good idea in case you need extra power right away (mine is a Power Monkey - going to refresh the charge on taht right now ...)
3
Turn your phone off when charging it.
7
Or maybe Ashlei Temeña could have charged her phone before heading out. I mean, is it really that hard? Or maybe brought along the charger just in case?
9
Then what would you have had to scold her about?
1
Uninstall the Facebook app, it uses far more energy than others. The problem is being worked on (https://www.facebook.com/arig/posts/10105815276466163?pnref=story), but Facebook has a long history of not caring about users' wellbeing.
32
Stop fidgeting with it all day long like an agitated toddler and you'll be pleasantly surprised at how long the battery lasts.
157
Here's an idea- don't use your phone incessantly!
63
I put my phone on Airplane Mode when I'm in the subway to prevent it from continually searching for service while underground -
If you spend more than an hour a day traveling underground, you can conserve some battery life via this method -- but you must remember to turn the Airplane Mode OFF once you exit and return to street level -
If you spend more than an hour a day traveling underground, you can conserve some battery life via this method -- but you must remember to turn the Airplane Mode OFF once you exit and return to street level -
22
Another battery saver on iPhone is turning off LTE under the Cellular settings, allowing only 3G data. LTE requires more battery than 3G.
4
I mean, this is all assuming "low power mode," right?
2
Is there no way to get a phone charged at Disneyland? Nobody who would lend this stranded visitor a phone? Seems ludicrous.
68
Yes, I agree. Surely any Disney rep would be able to direct someone to a charger they could use if only for a minute.
1
Carry a [fully charged] battery pack with you when traveling. You never now when you'll need that extra charge.
1
Yeah, how about some advice about how to not let the US Government plumb it like a ... coal mine.
6
I'm pretty sure that Airplane Mode will disable the phone function, in addition to Bluetooth, wi-fi, & GPS.
That makes it a very drastic battery-saving strategy — only if you need your phone or tablet for something other than to be connected to anyone or anything.
That makes it a very drastic battery-saving strategy — only if you need your phone or tablet for something other than to be connected to anyone or anything.
7
Seriously? Four hours? No one else in Disneyland had a phone she could use? Ah, the critical thinking skills of a support technician.
68
On Android, install a battery monitoring application like battery monitor widget and GSAM and monitor your normal usage to see where the battery goes. Once you have a baseline adjust based upon suggestions here and by going from live and on-demand to push+stored on sdcard/phone. Secondly, on Android ... always backup everything to the cloud and do a hard factory reset after major updates from the cellular provider, and when the device starts acting "not normal". Android's update method for all version is bad, and leads to buggy kernels, and even application upgrades have been known to cause the system to burn extra juice. If at that point your love of mobile phones/tablets means you are still dead in the water midway through, learn to carry an external usb battery pack (like mophie XL 12000maH) or carry a spare battery if removable. IF that is not desirable get a battery case for your phone .... problem solved .... If even that bothers you .... get a device that goes the distance ... such as the Droid Turbo 2, or a phone with a 4,000maH battery ... or with replacable ... get a double density battery and run with a "phat" phone .....
1
What about 'memory', does the battery life get shorter if you charge it too much/too often?
3
This raises the fundamental issue applicable to so many products. Why are manufacturers just so STUPID? As the story says, everyone whom I know wants longer battery life, and is willing to pay for it - in both dollars and weight.
Motorola flip phones used to have a double size battery available. Why aren't they made today?
Motorola flip phones used to have a double size battery available. Why aren't they made today?
12
Wrong on the location services. I keep mine turned off unless I need it. I can go to bed with 100% battery and wake up with 98% on my iPhone 6. With location services on it would be 70% in the morning.
8
Buy a phone with a removable battery. Really, it's that easy.
9
What phone would that be? And having a removable battery would only help if you had a spare, in which case having an external battery is just as useful.
1
What about the "Auto-Lock" feature which locks the phoneif not used for an amount of time (similar to hibernate on a PC)? In my view that is by far THE most important setting to conserve battery. If that feature is off the phone will quickly burn through the battery while idle.
1
Vanity is why battery life sucks, not technology. Putting a big battery would give any phone much longer useful life. But people care about mm differences in depth, etc. phones get slimmer and slimmer.
3
I carry two wireless phones; a simple flip phone and a cheap smartphone.
I bought two spare batteries I can easily change in the smart phone. I keep them charged all the time by swapping them in and out of the phone and using the AC adapter.
In the last two months I bought two high capacity ( 13,000 MaHr ) portable batteries that will recharge my phones several times on a single charge. They come with a simple USB cable you can plug into a computer or AC adapter to charge the power pack. They are about 6 inches long by 3/4 thick and can be easily carried. They will charge a phone or tablet several times.
I am loaded with many dozens of rechargeable batteries for lots of devices in the interests of living comfortably during a blackout or storm.
Another tip to save battery power with your phone is to send short text messages instead of long voice calls to save battery power.
I bought two spare batteries I can easily change in the smart phone. I keep them charged all the time by swapping them in and out of the phone and using the AC adapter.
In the last two months I bought two high capacity ( 13,000 MaHr ) portable batteries that will recharge my phones several times on a single charge. They come with a simple USB cable you can plug into a computer or AC adapter to charge the power pack. They are about 6 inches long by 3/4 thick and can be easily carried. They will charge a phone or tablet several times.
I am loaded with many dozens of rechargeable batteries for lots of devices in the interests of living comfortably during a blackout or storm.
Another tip to save battery power with your phone is to send short text messages instead of long voice calls to save battery power.
I extended my iPhone 6 plus battery life by about 2x when I turned off cellular data for most of my apps. I also turned off background refresh. I originally set my phone up this way when traveling to countries where bandwidth costs are high and there is little Wifi. (Japan, Mexico). Now I keep them that way for most apps and have great battery life in the US.
2
How did we live in the dark ages before ubiquitous cell phones? Tough to get worked up by a first world problem like smart phone battery life. Back up plans to stay connected with fellow travelers despite a smart phone blackout exist. And it doesn't require rocket science to figure out.
7
Go offline by using airplane mode for peace and quiet and to extend the battery.
3
Whenever I go to a theme park, like the story mentioned, I turn on airplane mode. Saves me so much battery life while still being able to use the phone as a camera whenever I want. If I need to contact someone else, I turn off airplane mode for a bit, make my call or text, then turn it back on.
3
Thanks! I was aware of most of the tips, but had been closing my unused apps for years in an (apparently vain) attempt to conserve my battery. It's a myth! I'll probably still continue to do it, out of sheer habit.
5
There are some battery saving features that are a no go on my phone. Turning Bluetooth off is not an option as I happen to wear Bluetooth enabled hearing aids, which without my iPhone I cannot control the volume.
1
I love my mobile tech, and fully agree with the opening paragraph of the nightmare that happens when your battery dies. Suddenly communicating, ordering a car, trying to navigate with GPS all stops. Even before my battery dies, once I get down towards 25% I start to get worried. I've occasionally had to take a step back and smile about how I preach how much these devices have improved our lives, while trying to quell my growing anxiousness as the battery turns red.
Agree that products like Mophie external power banks, or solutions like Poros and Everpurse can save the day. How long until we get infinite battery life?
Agree that products like Mophie external power banks, or solutions like Poros and Everpurse can save the day. How long until we get infinite battery life?
3
Cameras have faced this problem for years. Some use only AA batteries to solve this problem.
One solution is a empty battery case that can be filled with AA batteries. The advantage is this case could be 5 years old but it still can be filled with easily available fresh cheap batteries for a quick charge.
One solution is a empty battery case that can be filled with AA batteries. The advantage is this case could be 5 years old but it still can be filled with easily available fresh cheap batteries for a quick charge.
1
False advertising personified is the story here!
That this even has to be written is proof & reason that a full refund should be provided to anyone requesting one for these over promising yet underwhelming battery performance mired gadgets.
That this even has to be written is proof & reason that a full refund should be provided to anyone requesting one for these over promising yet underwhelming battery performance mired gadgets.
1
Why didn't Ms. Temena simply ask a passerby to use his/her phone to call her family?
20
she probably didn't know their number ... it was stored in her phone's memory - not HER memory
13
The latest version of iOS on the iPhone has a low-power mode. This turns of various background activities like fetching mail and dims the screen. You can access it through the Battery section of System Settings.
8
Me and this good dog wanted a phone up in our attic where we spend a lot of time, so we got one on those new high-tech ones that attaches to the wall with a copper wire, and so far it's been working fine.
83
Study physics, and then you will understand why battery storage cannot keep up. Really, if you want more power you have to carry it around or plug it in. Heavy or not, that's the state of electrical energy storage across the board, solar, etc. getting better but no overcoming the laws of physics yet, until some Einstein comes along. And makes a zillion.
4
I turn off cell data when I'm not using it, which means it is off 99% of the time. I regularly get 4-5 days of standby on my four-year-old iPhone 4S, original battery. Sure, I don't get Facebook notifications, but . . . so what?
4
I use Rokform cases for my family's iPhones and they have a mount system. Last year they too made a battery for extra juice and designed it to lock into the case, so it's attached when you need it and can detach when you don't. While not form fitting, it's big enough that it can (and has) charged my iPhone twice from approx 20% life before the battery died and had to be recharged.
Unfortunately it, like all batteries, is made in China. But the Rokform case for the iPhone 5 & 6 (not 5s for some dumb reason) is made in the USA.
And I still abide by the adage "a percentage here and there saved can equal an extra few precious minutes" so I'll be turning off those "minor" things
Unfortunately it, like all batteries, is made in China. But the Rokform case for the iPhone 5 & 6 (not 5s for some dumb reason) is made in the USA.
And I still abide by the adage "a percentage here and there saved can equal an extra few precious minutes" so I'll be turning off those "minor" things
Since I am outside for many hours a week, I just buy three inexpensive prepaid Android phones (They are constantly discounting unused-but-perfectly functional $100 phones for $30, or $20, or less.), and use the two INACTIVE phones as mere.chargers (or backup phones in case the ACTIVE phone gets lost or damaged.)
(Just have your phone company switch your number to your backup phone.)
Thus, I always have a fully-charged backup phone, and when my battery gets to zero: I merely switch the charged battery in to the active phone, and when I get back to my charging station, I charge the now-empty-battery backup-phone -- and take the third, fully charged phone on the road as the new backup!
Thus, I always have a fully-charged backup phone and battery at all times in case of loss or damage.
Of course, if your phone is too expensive to buy three of them, just buy a wall charger and two backup batteries.
P.S. Why didn't the person in your story -- instead of wandering around for four hours -- just ask one of the thousands of mobile phone users (or park employees) to borrow their phone to make one call to find her family?
People are usually very generous of spiri in a mobile phone emergency!
(Just have your phone company switch your number to your backup phone.)
Thus, I always have a fully-charged backup phone, and when my battery gets to zero: I merely switch the charged battery in to the active phone, and when I get back to my charging station, I charge the now-empty-battery backup-phone -- and take the third, fully charged phone on the road as the new backup!
Thus, I always have a fully-charged backup phone and battery at all times in case of loss or damage.
Of course, if your phone is too expensive to buy three of them, just buy a wall charger and two backup batteries.
P.S. Why didn't the person in your story -- instead of wandering around for four hours -- just ask one of the thousands of mobile phone users (or park employees) to borrow their phone to make one call to find her family?
People are usually very generous of spiri in a mobile phone emergency!
1
Maybe she could have used a good samaritan's phone, or told a Disney employee she needed to call and locate her family.
25
Since I am outside for many hours a week, I just buy three inexpensive prepaid Android phones (They are constantly discounting unused-but-perfectly functional $100 phones for $30, or $20, or less.), and use the two INACTIVE phones as mere.chargers (or backup phones in case the ACTIVE phone gets lost or damaged.)
(Just have your phone company switch your number to your backup phone.)
Thus, I always have a fully-charged backup phone, and when my battery gets to zero: I merely switch the charged battery in to the active phone, and when I get back to my charging station, I charge the now-empty-battery backup-phone -- and take the third, fully charged phone on the road as the new backup!
Thus, I always have a fully-charged backup phone and battery at all times in case of loss or damage.
Of course, if your phone is too expensive to buy three of them, just buy a wall charger and two backup batteries.
P.S. Why didn't the person in your story -- instead of wandering around for four hours -- just ask one of the thousands of mobile phone users (or park employees) to borrow their phone to make one call to find her family?
People are usually very generous of spirit in a mobile phone emergency!
(Just have your phone company switch your number to your backup phone.)
Thus, I always have a fully-charged backup phone, and when my battery gets to zero: I merely switch the charged battery in to the active phone, and when I get back to my charging station, I charge the now-empty-battery backup-phone -- and take the third, fully charged phone on the road as the new backup!
Thus, I always have a fully-charged backup phone and battery at all times in case of loss or damage.
Of course, if your phone is too expensive to buy three of them, just buy a wall charger and two backup batteries.
P.S. Why didn't the person in your story -- instead of wandering around for four hours -- just ask one of the thousands of mobile phone users (or park employees) to borrow their phone to make one call to find her family?
People are usually very generous of spirit in a mobile phone emergency!
15
you know there is something called a battery power pack?
12
These are helpful work-arounds, but the fundamental problem is that the phone manufacturers are obsessed with thinness. Adding just a few millimeters to make room for a bigger battery would make all these problems go away.
We need to tell Apple and Samsung and the rest what our priorities are. Professional reviewers need to get on board too, putting functionality over appearance instead of praising the "thinnest phone ever" of the moment.
We need to tell Apple and Samsung and the rest what our priorities are. Professional reviewers need to get on board too, putting functionality over appearance instead of praising the "thinnest phone ever" of the moment.
143
Charlie B for President 2016 !
5
So, what are people's priorities? They whine about battery life, but how many will choose a thicker, heavier phone when they next upgrade?
Hey Ashlei! Don't be so shy! Everyone in the park had a smartphone. Ask someone to borrow theirs to call your family and tell them your phone's dead.
36
Ashlei probably didn't remember any numbers since we use "contacts" in auto address books. Seriously, everyone: MEMORIZE your two best emergency numbers!
32
Joe, like many people, she probably hasn't memorized those phone numbers. It is easy for people to forget those numbers (or never even learn them) when they are programmed into your phone. I keep a few written down in my wallet for just this reason.
4
Mark, one of the best comments today. I need to do this (more than 2) and will.
1
I could have empathized with this lost soul in the middle of the woods with a dead battery and spending hours to find her loved ones. But in the middle of a Disney complex? Really? Didn't it occur to her to ask a Disney rep to help her? Or how about borrowing a phone amount the millions of cell phones wandering around her? Have we all lost our power of speech? I see this poor soul standing in the middle of the crowd frantically texting on that dead phone.....
165
Perhaps she was like those of us who don't always remember our family's cell phone numbers because they're programmed into our phones.
4
You're assuming one knows the phone numbers of the people one wants to call. I'm guessing the person at Disneyland did not -- and I'm guessing that's not too uncommon.
3
Sylvia - I completely agree! I can tell you the phone numbers of my childhood home, my grade school friends' homes, the pizza place we ordered from 20 years ago, etc., but not of anyone I've called in the last 10 years. When it comes to family, I'm even less likely to know--I live with my husband, and I've probably called him twice in the last year, both at crowded locations where I was trying to find him. If nothing else, this article was a great reminder to set up a meeting location when we go places.
2
Having Bluetooth on, even if I'm not actively using it, seems to really drain my Android phone's battery.
19
Interesting. I've tested having it on and off. The difference in is minimal on my particular setup (iPhone 6 with iOS 9.2.1). Yet it does drain my older iPad.
2
A better option would be to turn off wifi on the phone. That way you still have access to your carrier's data to check email and the internet. Airplane mode shuts off the phone signal, so no data access.
I learned to do this in airport terminals, where the "free wifi" is often crap - alternately connecting and disconnecting in the hope that you'll become so frustrated that you'll pay for their premium wifi. I just turn off the wifi (under settings) to prevent battery drain from all of that useless connecting and disconnecting, and use my data for the limited amount of time needed.