Smartphone Battery FAQ: Why Does My Phone Battery Die?

While they are advanced and very helpful, smartphones have a few downsides. Features are rarely complained about, and instead the problem comes from the specifications of the phone. The camera might not be a high enough resolution, the screen may be too small, the on-board storage not large enough, ect.

But the most common questions and complaints will be about the battery, such as how long it lasts or if it will need to be replaced over time. A battery can create a lot of confusion and frustration for the average consumer, even when it comes to a brand new phone.

Here is a list of frequently asked questions about smartphone batteries, and their answers.

Why Does the iPhone Battery Die So Quickly In 4G (LTE)?

Back in September 2012, a review was done by iLounge that tested the iPhone 5, particularly the battery life. During that time, one of the main factors for depleting battery was found to be cellular signal strength. Since the LTE coverage is still catching up to the feature, and service can be weaker in some areas and stronger in others, the lower your signal the more it will suck at your battery life while in 4G mode.

Related: How to Make Your Smartphone Battery Live Longer

If You Don't Use a Battery for Long Periods, What Will Happen to It?

Even when you are not using a battery, it is slowly letting out bits of energy. When it is not connected to a circuit, it is merely discharging those small bits of energy into the air without powering a device. If you don't use it or recharge it for a long duration, it will go past what is called its normal discharge rate. This will begin to damage the battery itself. You can damage your battery by allowing it to die too frequently without recharging it, as well.

Related: How to extend Android Battery?

Which Consumes Less Battery Life: 3G or WiFi?

Most people agree that WiFi uses more battery life, while protecting your data coverage plan. But occasionally a packet of data can be retransmitted via 3G and sap your battery life, as well. In the end, it might come down to the model of phone you use, the reception you are getting and other factors. Your best way of finding out for sure is to test both connections and see which one saps your battery faster, though a combination of both will probably be your best bet.

Will a Solid Color or Black Background Improve Battery Life?

Probably not, as LED screens are not affected by the background image, just the back lighting. So if you have a black display you will still end up powering it via the back light and so using the same amount of energy. You would be better off turning off non-essential apps and features such as GPS, Bluetooth and connection tracking.

How Much Battery Life Do I Lose When I Turn My Phone Off, Then On Again?

That depends on the type of phone you have, the length of time it takes to boot your phone's operating system, and the length of time you have had the battery (i.e. the battery's capacity over time). Most phones will lose around 1% of their charge with each reboot, but some could be as high as 5% on a lower-functioning battery.

Are iPhone Apps That Claim to Maximize Battery Life Really Effective?

No one knows for sure whether the claims about battery enhancing apps are true or not. But there is a good chance they they won't do much, even if they do work at all. You cannot run an app without draining resources, even though different programs take more or less energy. So logically, the app that is supposed to enhance your battery is still taking up resources itself. Since it runs as a separate program, and most apps are going to be third-party, it would have no way to directly interfere with apps without testing compatibility.

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