Isn’t it annoying when you realise it’s only lunchtime and your phone’s battery is down from fully charged to 30% already? With our modern lives relying so much on smartphone technology, it’s more important than ever that our phone batteries last a full day at the very least. But how can you make sure you don’t get caught out? In this guide, we look at how smartphone batteries work, and how you can get the most out of them.

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Why do phone batteries not last longer?

Before we begin, you may have noticed your smartphone battery is described as a Lithium Ion battery. The biggest smartphone manufacturers tend to use this type as it’s lightweight, meaning you won’t be weighed down by a bulky battery pack. Lithium Ion batteries tend to be more reliable and safer than other types and can be a great alternative to other more environmentally damaging types of battery when it comes to getting rid of them.

A battery’s capacity depends on its capability to hold power, which is said to steadily decline as time goes on and the battery experiences more use.

 

Is it OK to leave power saving mode on?

Your phone will likely already have some sort of ‘power saving mode’ you can enable. These settings usually dim your screen, shut down certain power-thirsty apps, change your screen resolution and reduce your handset’s speed. Essentially, they turn off anything that’s not 100% necessary for your phone to function. When your battery is struggling, some power-saving settings will also change your phone’s standard graphics and appearance to a much more simplified version.

 

Does lowering brightness save battery life?

If you’re not constantly looking at your phone, for example, for reading or writing emails, you can turn your brightness down without compromising your ability to read the screen. Some phones have an adaptive brightness feature that adjusts the brightness level according to the phone’s surroundings. Turning this off can also help you to save battery.

 

Does silent mode consume more battery?

If every time you get a message or notification your phone has to use power to vibrate or make a sound, it’s going to reduce your battery power. Turn it on silent, and turn off any notifications to protect your battery level.

 

Does airplane mode increase battery life?

A quick and simple way to stop apps from bothering you, and in turn reduce your battery, is to put your phone on aeroplane mode until you can plug it in. It’s also helpful to prevent your phone from constantly seeking a good connection to the network if you’re in an area with a poor signal.

 

Does removing background apps save battery?

Some apps will keep working in the background even though you’re not using them. This is to make sure they provide you with up-to-date information when the time does come to use them, but it can use up battery power. Turn this function off in your phone’s settings.

 

Other ways to extend battery life:

• Use dark mode
• Turn off Bluetooth
• Enable battery saver mode
• Disable location services
• Use wi-fi instead of mobile data
• Install frequent software updates

 

Related blog: iPhone Battery Health Signs It's Time For An Upgrade

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Conclusion:

Interested in reading more about all things smartphones? Check out our advice hub for more handy guides and information.