How to Extend iPhone 3G Battery Life
Mobilook, Sep 22, 2008
The Apple iPhone 3G is a powerful smartphone. But using all those features
can quickly drain its battery power and reduce its time before recharge.
Don't expect the handset battery to last for 24 hours on one charge under
normal usage.
To get the most out of your iPhone 3G's battery, balance your smartphone
needs with the handset's performance limits.
Here are some guidelines and tips for extending the life of the iPhone
3G battery. Most are related to turning off specific power-draining features
or using the handset more efficiently, such as maximizing the time on
Standby (asleep).
Adjust Features and Settings
- Turn off location-services - such as Maps. Menu: Settings >
General > Location Services. Note: Turns off GPS.
- Turn off Data Fetch - For applications that do not support
push services. Increase the data fetch interval or set to manual (will
require update to iPhone E-mail client to receive e-mails). Menu: Settings
> Fetch New Data > Manually or Hourly
- Turn off Push Mail - You must query the network to receive
e-mails. Menu: Settings > Fetch New Data > Push.
- Turn off WiFi - Turn off the WIFi network access radio. Menu:
Settings > WiFi.
- Turn off 3G - Turn off the 3G data radio. Menu: Settings >
General > Network > Enable 3G. Note: Still accesses EDGE or GPRS
networks where available.
- Turn off Bluetooth - Menu: Settings > General > Bluetooth.
- Set Auto-lock to shorter time - such as 1 minute. Puts phone
in low-power mode sooner after each use. Menu: Settings > General
> Auto-Lock.
- Auto-check fewer email accounts - Auto-check only your primary
e-mail account. Manually check the others.
- Turn down the screen brightness - to make display dimmer. Menu:
Settings -> Brightness.
- Turn off audio Sounds - such as for text alerts or games.
- Turn down Volume - For phone and/or music audio.
- Turn off Vibrate alert.
- Turn off Ringer - Use mute switch and put phone to sleep.
- Turn off iPod Equalizer - Used when playing music (iPod). Menu:
Settings > iPod > EQ.
- Turn off automatic Date & Time Set.
- Turn off Auto-Backup - that starts when connected to a computer.
Note: You will not have a backup image of your handset's software (applications
and data, such as iTunes tracks) to restore. If you have a major software
problem, you might have to reinstall the applications or rebuild the
data from scratch.
Optimize Usage, Reception and Recharging
- Avoid using the phone where signal strength (cellphone reception)
is weak - such as secondary coverage areas, remote areas, valleys
or blocked-reception areas. The handset turns up its transceiver power
to compensate for the weak signal.
- Use Airplane Mode - in low-coverage, no-coverage areas or in
airplanes, where you will not use the phone.
- Turn off applications after use - or when not in use.
- Minimize use of third-party applications - such as games, that
prevent the screen from dimming or shutting off.
- Minimize use of applications that use location services - such
as GPs, Maps, etc.
- Turn off handset when not in use - such as when driving, flying
or attending long meetings.
- Don't use iPhone in cold weather - mostly applicable outdoors
in cold weather. The cold zaps battery strength. The iPhone battery
performs best at room temperature (72 F or 22 C).
- Use iPhone regularly - For proper maintenance of the lithium-ion
battery (energy storage capacity and power discharge), use the handset
enough to make it go through at least one discharge-charge cycle per
month (completely run it down and then charge the battery to 100%).
- Charge battery in well-ventilated areas - such as not in handbag.
Can cause the battery to overheat and be less efficient.
Software and Hardware
- Update to the latest iPhone software - Firmware, operating
system and applications, such as iTunes. Newer versions can have better
energy management.
- Reset the iPhone periodically - Reboot the handset to clear
the memory of unused applications and memory storage, which require
power to maintain.
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