Smartphone users routinely find themselves left hanging when, after a few phone calls, a little internet surfing and a quick video on the way to work, they find themselves with a depleted battery and half the day left to go.
“Modern smartphones, with their big displays and fast processors, use significantly more energy than classic basic mobiles,” says Michael Wolf of Stiftung Warentest, a German consumer products tester.
It is, therefore, best to learn some tips to save energy and keep your mobile working for the whole day long.
Display the biggest drain
“It’s best to pick the lowest possible lighting setting for the display and to set the shortest possible interval before the standby mode kicks in,” says Bjoern Brodersen of Areamobile.de. Also consider letting your smartphone regulate its brightness based on the surrounding lighting.
But that’s only one possible offender. Wi-fi, Bluetooth, satellite navigation and ever-active apps also take their share of battery power. Always consider turning off unused apps, especially those that eat up power, says Bettina Seute of Teltarif.de
If you’re in a bad reception area, consider switching from UMTS or LTE modes to straight GSM. Otherwise, the device will continuously search for a signal, eating up power in the process.
Apps use up energy
“Free, ad-financed apps are a bigger hit on the battery than necessary, since they’re always broadcasting the location of the smartphone or tablet to call up location-based ads,” says Brodersen. Always opt for operating system updates as soon as they’re available. “Updates don’t just close security gaps, they can improve the energy efficiency of a smartphone.”
Seute also advises on keeping an eye on widgets that might be using up power when they’re not needed. Also consider turning off push functions for emails and contacts. When always active, they are a drain on the battery.
If that’s not enough, consider some special energy-saving apps, though care must be taken that they don’t disrupt the system.
Use airplane mode
Otherwise, consider setting controls to limit the power consumed by functions such as the display or Wi-Fi. And, at night when you’re sleeping, don’t forget the option of just turning off the device or putting it into airplane mode to save on power.
Don’t forget external factors. The cold will hamper a mobile, so always carry them in inside pockets if you visit a chilly country. And, if the phone allows battery swaps, carry a charged-up backup battery.
— DPA
