Running out of battery is still the most annoying and cause of disappointment when it comes to having a smartphone. Though they are smarter than we ever think, they are not smart enough to make their power lasts. In this department, the smart gadget needs it's owner to solve this problem, and in a way makes us 'smart' too!
Before we can implement a solution, we need to know where the problem is coming from, and in my experience, I have listed the 3 most common causes of low battery problem.
1. Screen.
Android devices has a way of telling what phone component contributes the most battery drain. After pressing setting>general>battery, it shows the top 9 battery drainers. The first two happened to be a component that the phone needs to operate. Third is the screen.
- Adjust the brightness correctly.
Turning the brightness down to a comfortable level is OK, any more than that is an overkill as you may end up turning on and off the screen to adjust it as you can not possibly read what's at the screen because of too much dim or too much glare. Adjusting the correct brightness is a key here. To do this, go to the brightest place where you think you will be accessing your phone and adjust the screen brightness in there. In that way, you will know the correct level that is best for you. If you are always out in the field, then adjust it under the sun!
- Use a dark or black background.
Colours, specially lighter colours need more light to appear correctly. More light also means more energy to use. Using black background reduces the need for light and therefore helps in conserving battery. This is advisable when your screen needs to be adjusted to its near full or full brightness at all time.
2. Energy hungry applications.
These are the programs that are always on like phone survey apps that monitors the way you use your phone, or could be an antivirus application that protects the device from internet traffic threats and other free apps that drive advertisements to your device. I myself have downloaded these apps and if I am not being watchful could render my mobile without power when I needed it most.
If you do not need it, do not download it. Make this your mobile apps rule. You are not only limiting the apps that simultaneously run and zapping all your battery power but you are also helping your device to run faster.
Closing an application is not just to tap the back button until it's window dis appears. Sometimes you need to go to the application manager's menu to see the applications running in real time and quit from there.
If you have game apps that are always showing advertisements, play it off line. Turn off your internet connectivity, wi-fi and data, when you activate it. In this way, dynamic ads does not appear. You are not only saving battery but saving data traffic as well when you are away from a free wi-fi.
Most updates happen when you are in a wi-fi zone and smartphones happen to remember and save wi-fi settings the first time you connect. Update files are usually large and can sip all mobile power without you noticing it.
Before you lock your phone in your locker, be sure to turn off connectivity button. This prevents unintentional data download from auto updates. It is also good for the phones processor as it prevents the wi-fi and data radio buttons in finding a better signal specially when the phone is locked up. The additional strain in constantly sniffing for available connections makes the processor work harder and in the process needs more power.
The same with bluetooth and NFC connectivities, they should be checked if they are off when not in use.
Sometimes doing these ways of keeping the battery top up is not enough. I do forget things and there are situations that I need to keep the connectivity on or my screen to its brightest. Keeping a backup battery is sensible although in my case, I tend to misplace it when I swap and charge using my mobile. So the best for me is a small universal battery pack that can charge almost any device because of the supplied cable and a bonus led flashlight!
- Keep application to minimum.
If you do not need it, do not download it. Make this your mobile apps rule. You are not only limiting the apps that simultaneously run and zapping all your battery power but you are also helping your device to run faster.
- Terminate application properly.
Closing an application is not just to tap the back button until it's window dis appears. Sometimes you need to go to the application manager's menu to see the applications running in real time and quit from there.
- Play games offline.
If you have game apps that are always showing advertisements, play it off line. Turn off your internet connectivity, wi-fi and data, when you activate it. In this way, dynamic ads does not appear. You are not only saving battery but saving data traffic as well when you are away from a free wi-fi.
3. Unattended connectivity buttons.
Most updates happen when you are in a wi-fi zone and smartphones happen to remember and save wi-fi settings the first time you connect. Update files are usually large and can sip all mobile power without you noticing it.
- Turn off wi-fi and data button.
Before you lock your phone in your locker, be sure to turn off connectivity button. This prevents unintentional data download from auto updates. It is also good for the phones processor as it prevents the wi-fi and data radio buttons in finding a better signal specially when the phone is locked up. The additional strain in constantly sniffing for available connections makes the processor work harder and in the process needs more power.
The same with bluetooth and NFC connectivities, they should be checked if they are off when not in use.
Last Words.
Sometimes doing these ways of keeping the battery top up is not enough. I do forget things and there are situations that I need to keep the connectivity on or my screen to its brightest. Keeping a backup battery is sensible although in my case, I tend to misplace it when I swap and charge using my mobile. So the best for me is a small universal battery pack that can charge almost any device because of the supplied cable and a bonus led flashlight!
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