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In this article, DANIEL ADAJI examines practical strategies and settings tweaks you can employ to extend your smartphone’s battery life without compromising on performance or functionality.
Smartphones have become indispensable in our daily lives, powering everything from communication and social interaction to productivity and entertainment. Yet, one of the most critical issues users face is battery life.
A phone that dies in the middle of the day is a problem no one wants to encounter, but by optimising your smartphone’s battery life, you can minimise the frequency of such occurrences.
Understanding battery basics
Before diving into the nitty-gritty, it’s essential to understand how smartphone batteries work.
Most smartphones use Lithium-Ion batteries, which charge by moving lithium ions from the positive to the negative electrode.
Over time, these batteries lose their ability to hold a charge due to wear and tear. Factors like temperature, charge cycles, and software efficiency also play a role in battery degradation.
Factors affecting battery life
Capacity
The total energy a battery can store is measured in milliampere-hours. This value determines how long your phone can run before it needs recharging.
A higher mAh generally translates to longer usage times, meaning phones with larger batteries can sustain activity for extended periods.
For example, a phone with a 5000mAh battery will last significantly longer than one with a 3000mAh battery under similar conditions.
Power consumption
This refers to how much energy your phone uses during its operation. Different activities demand varying levels of power, and more intensive tasks, such as video streaming and Global Positioning System, will drain your battery faster than lighter tasks like reading or browsing.
The screen brightness and background apps also contribute to power consumption. Using power-hungry features or applications consistently can lead to a noticeable drop in battery life.
Efficiency
Efficiency refers to how well your phone’s hardware, operating system, and apps manage power. Some operating systems are optimized to use energy more efficiently, meaning they can prolong battery life by reducing background activity or intelligently managing resources.
Likewise, app design also matters; apps that are poorly optimised can drain your battery even when running in the background. Battery-saving modes or optimisations built into newer phones and software updates aim to improve efficiency and extend battery life.
Tips and strategies for optimising your phone’s battery life.
Manage screen brightness and display settings
The display is one of the most significant battery drainers on smartphones. Fortunately, reducing its power consumption is easy:
Lower screen brightness
Keep your screen brightness at a reasonable level or set it to auto-brightness. Auto-brightness adjusts the screen brightness based on ambient lighting conditions, optimising energy use.
Reduce screen timeout
Set your phone’s screen timeout (the time it takes for the screen to turn off when idle) to the shortest setting that works for you. The shorter the screen timeout, the less energy your display consumes.
Use dark mode
If your phone has an OLED or AMOLED screen, dark mode can save significant power because black pixels don’t emit light. Many popular apps and operating systems support dark mode.
Wallpaper and themes
Using dark wallpapers or themes can slightly extend battery life on OLED screens, as these panels light up only coloured pixels, consuming less energy for darker backgrounds.
Turn off features when not in use
Your smartphone comes packed with various sensors and connectivity features, all of which consume energy. Turning off unnecessary features when not in use can save a substantial amount of battery power.
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS
Disable these features when they aren’t needed. For example, if you’re not connected to a Wi-Fi network or using a Bluetooth device, it’s a good idea to switch them off.
Airplane mode
If you are in an area with no cellular service, your phone constantly tries to find a signal, which can drain your battery. In such cases, consider enabling aeroplane mode.
NFC and Location services: Turn off Near Field Communication and location services when not in use. Many apps don’t need to track your location constantly, so you can disable background location access for these apps in settings.
Optimise background app activity
Apps running in the background can eat away at your battery life, especially if they constantly check for updates, sync data, or refresh content. You can mitigate this by managing how apps behave in the background:
Limit background app refresh
On both iOS and Android, you can go into settings and restrict how often apps refresh their data in the background. Apps like email, social media, or news apps tend to sync frequently, which can be a significant battery drain. Allow only essential apps to refresh in the background.
Close unused apps
While smartphone operating systems are pretty good at managing memory, it doesn’t hurt to periodically close apps that you’re no longer using. Apps running in the background can still consume energy.
Disable unnecessary notifications
Notifications can wake up your phone, and each time your phone lights up, it uses battery power. Turn off notifications from apps that aren’t important or limit them to essential apps.
Update software regularly
Manufacturers and app developers regularly release software updates to fix bugs, improve efficiency, and optimize power usage. Keeping your phone’s operating system and apps up to date can improve battery performance:
Operating system updates
Always install the latest version of your operating system. OS updates often include battery optimisation tweaks that help your phone run more efficiently.
App updates
Developers frequently optimise their apps for battery efficiency. Make sure your apps are up to date by regularly checking the app store for updates.
Use power-saving modes
Modern smartphones come equipped with power-saving modes that extend battery life by reducing performance, limiting background processes, and tweaking display settings:
Low Power Mode (iPhone) or Battery Saver (Android)
Enable this feature when your battery is running low or when you anticipate being away from a charger for a while. These modes reduce display brightness, disable background activity, and limit visual effects to extend battery life.
Custom battery-saver options
Some Android phones (like those from Samsung, OnePlus, and Xiaomi) allow you to create custom battery profiles that adjust settings based on your usage.
Control vibration and haptic feedback
Vibration and haptic feedback can be useful for notifications and typing, but they also consume energy:
Turn off unnecessary vibrations
Disable haptic feedback for your keyboard and turn off vibration for notifications, especially if you’re getting a lot of them.
Use do not disturb mode
Enable this when you don’t need constant notifications. It can help conserve battery life by preventing unnecessary vibrations and screen wakes.
Monitor battery usage
Modern smartphones come with built-in battery usage monitoring tools that provide detailed information on how your battery is being consumed. You can use these tools to identify power-hungry apps and adjust your settings accordingly:
Check battery usage stats
Go into your phone’s settings and check which apps or processes are consuming the most power. If you find an app that’s draining more battery than expected, consider uninstalling it or limiting its background activity.
Battery health
Some smartphones, particularly iPhones, provide insights into battery health, showing whether the battery is functioning at peak capacity. If your battery health is low (typically below 80 per cent), it might be time to consider a battery replacement.
Optimise charging habits
Your charging habits have a significant impact on your battery’s long-term health. Here are some best practices for ensuring your battery remains healthy for as long as possible:
Avoid overcharging
While modern batteries and chargers are smart enough to stop charging once they reach 100 per cent, it’s still a good idea not to leave your phone plugged in overnight or for extended periods at 100 per cent.
Don’t let your battery fully drain
Lithium-ion batteries don’t need to be fully drained before charging. Keeping the battery level between 20 per cent and 80 per cent can prolong its lifespan.
Use the right charger
Always use the charger that came with your phone or a certified replacement. Using cheap or counterfeit chargers can damage your battery.
Fast charging
While fast charging is convenient, it can generate excess heat, which reduces battery health over time. Use it sparingly or when you’re in a hurry, and opt for regular charging whenever possible.
Avoid extreme temperatures
To ensure your smartphone’s battery maintains its longevity and efficiency, it’s essential to avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures. Both high heat and extreme cold can have negative effects on the battery’s performance and overall lifespan.
Overheating
One of the most common causes of battery degradation is overheating. Leaving your phone in direct sunlight, inside a hot car, or near other heat sources can cause the battery to overheat. This not only shortens the battery’s lifespan but also reduces its ability to hold a charge.
Continuous exposure to high temperatures can cause the battery to swell, leading to potential safety hazards. To prevent this, always keep your phone in a shaded or cool environment, especially during hot weather. Using your phone for prolonged periods while it’s charging can also cause it to heat up, so it’s advisable to unplug it once it is fully charged.
Cold temperatures
Extreme cold can be just as damaging as heat. In cold environments, your phone’s battery may lose charge more quickly, and in some cases, the phone might shut down unexpectedly.
Cold weather slows down the chemical reactions inside the battery, making it less efficient. To protect your phone in colder climates, keep it in a pocket or close to your body to retain warmth. If your phone becomes too cold, it’s a good idea to let it warm up gradually before turning it back on.
Consider external battery solutions
If you are someone who is constantly on the go and can’t always recharge, it might be worth investing in external battery solutions:
Portable power banks
These external batteries can give your phone a quick charge when you’re away from an outlet. They come in various capacities, so choose one based on your usage needs.
Battery cases
Some manufacturers offer battery cases that provide additional charge without the need for cables or external power banks.
Optimising your smartphone’s battery life isn’t just about adopting a single strategy but combining multiple techniques to minimize energy consumption.
From managing screen brightness and disabling unnecessary features to optimizing charging habits and reducing background processes, there’s a lot you can do to extend battery life.
The best approach is to be mindful of how you use your phone and make small adjustments based on your specific needs.
By following these tips, you can ensure your phone remains powered longer and enjoy a more consistent and reliable experience throughout the day.
