iPhone Battery Guide and Charging Tips (3Gs / 3G / Original)

this thread created maximize potential of iphone's battery. if read disagree with, disagree. if wish have added original post, please comment , state information should added. take no responsibility if damage iphone doing mentioned in thread.

please don't flame.

rated battery life

3gs vs. 3g battery test: http://crave.cnet.co.uk/mobiles/0,39029453,49302814-4,00.htm
(3gs 45% better 3g, despite apple's claims)

iphone 4
talk time - 3g 7 hours / edge 14 hours
web browsing - 3g 6 hours / wifi 10 hours
video playback - 10 hours
audio playback - 40 hours
standby time - 300 hours

iphone 3gs
talk time - 3g 5 hours / edge 12 hours
web browsing - 3g 5 hours / wifi 9 hours
video playback - 10 hours
audio playback - 30 hours
standby time - 300 hours

iphone 3g
talk time - 3g 5 hours / edge 10 hours
web browsing - 3g 5 hours / wifi 6 hours
video playback - 7 hours
audio playback - 24 hours
standby time - 300 hours

iphone
talk time - edge 8 hours
web browsing - wifi 6 hours
video playback - 7 hours
audio playback - 24 hours
standby time - 250 hours

power saving tips

#1 - go home screen before putting iphone in standby mode. if running app , hit sleep/wake button turn screen off, application still running in background , can severely drain battery.
#2 - disable 3g on long calls (ex: business calls, calling cable company, or calling att customer service ). call quality on edge quite compared 3g.
#3 - if apartment / house has weak 3g signal, turn off 3g until leave home. apartment has weak 3g signal. phone switches networks if have 3g enabled, murders battery. use edge while i'm @ home w/ wifi data. when leave home, turn on 3g.
#4 - enable wifi in apartment / house when wifi available. use wifi instead of 3g or edge web browsing. wifi (with strong signal) faster 3g or edge. wifi uses less battery power cellular network.
#5 - if use wifi hotspots, keep wifi disabled. enable wifi when enter hotspot.
#6 - if don't need gps, disable location services. when location services enabled, gps antenna activated. gps antenna continue drain battery life, if aren't using application needs location services.
#7 - disable push notifications, unless needed. estimated battery life decrease 20% (about hour) push enabled. increasing fetch interval hour or above increase battery life.
#8 - disable bluetooth if have no bluetooth devices (duh). if you're me , use bluetooth in car, leave bluetooth on convenience don't have enable bluetooth every time go drive. more trouble it's worth.
#9 - using app store programs may heavily decrease battery life. games (especially 3d) notorious killing battery. don't surprised 2 - 3 hour usage statistics while gaming.
#10 - enable auto brightness
#11 - if have no service @ all, use airplane mode. no service, phone signal, kills battery quickly. airplane mode let use phone, won't able dial or receive calls.
#12 - make sure auto-lock set @ 1 minute.
#13 - if use phone talking / texting / email / gaming, using edge offer similar experience, battery life increase significantly.

web browsing: 3g vs. edge vs. wifi

graph demonstrates why doesn't make sense use edge web browsing vs. 3g or wifi. realize 3g @ least 2x fast edge, don't 2x battery life switching edge. more production done 3g enabled, in less time, therefore saving battery life compared browsing edge .

graph shows usage statistics (100% battery life > 0% battery life)


3g vs. edge browsing explained (using iphone 3g)
(web pages accessed theoretical)
3g enabled web browsing = 197 minutes (before battery depleted) | 394 web pages accessed
3g disabled (edge) web browsing = 243 minutes (before battery depleted) | 243 web pages accessed

numbers above based on assumption takes 1 minute load web page using edge , 30 seconds load web page using 3g. (based off of apple's claim 3g 2x fast edge, seems hold in real world tests)

can see, enabling 3g allow load 60% more web pages per charge cycle edge enabled, though using edge conserves battery life.

iphone charging

initial charge (a few theories out there, felt safest route go)
#1 - buy iphone. not use iphone.
#2 - charge iphone wall charger 3 hours. (do not use phone)
#3 - once charged, let iphone's battery drain. (you can use phone)
#4 - keep iphone off 2 hours.
#5 - charge iphone , allow battery rest in charged state 2 hours. (you may use iphone during time long iphone plugged in)
#6 - repeat step's #3/#4 maximum of 3 times if feel battery indicator inaccurate.

everyday charging
#1 - charge iphone throughout day when available. charge every night, regardless of charge level. keep battery active, healthy iphone's battery.
#2 - use wall charger or car charger w/ rated output 5v 1a. computer chargers might not charge when computer in standby mode.
#3 - cannot overcharge iphone. don't need disconnect iphone charger after it's done charging. once charged, iphone run strictly off of ac power , not damage battery.
#4 - every 2 months, make sure charge , drain battery, in 1 cycle. calibrates battery indicator. if fail this, indicator become inaccurate. calibrating battery not improve battery life.
#5 - if ever need store iphone reason, make sure battery stored @ 50% , in cool environment.
#6 - charge iphone out of case (assuming can remove case). charging iphone inside case make iphone hotter, bad battery.
#7 - charge iphone in cool location. charging iphone in cool environment has tremendous impact on battery's lifespan. colder location use charge, more charging cycles can complete without battery deteriorating. avoid charging in direct sunlight. not put put iphone in freezer!
#8 - use rated chargers. using chargers not rated have huge impact on battery's lifespan. make sure car charger has same rating official apple charger. official apple wall charger rated follows:

input: 100 240v ~ 50/60 hz 1.0a
output: 5v 1a

heat vs. state of charge vs. iphone battery
"the speed lithium-ion ages governed temperature , state-of-charge. figure 1 illustrates capacity loss function of these 2 parameters." - battery university

graph shows long-term storage. (ex: buy new iphone , need store old 1 backup)



iphone's battery doesn't stored @ 100% charge. storing iphone @ 40% charge recommended. storing phone when it's charged, in hot environment, severely shorten battery's lifespan. keep in mind when storing laptop battery, well.

more information can found here:
http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm
http://www.apple.com/batteries/iphone.html
http://www.apple.com/batteries/



iphone 3g battery tests:





articles testing iphone 3g's battery life
http://www.anandtech.com/gadgets/showdoc.aspx?i=3358&p=18
http://gizmodo.com/5025309/round-up-nine-iphone-3g-battery-life-test-results



setting iphone new (without erasing app store data or game saves)

there have been reports resetting specific settings on iphone restore battery life. worth shot if have seen decline in usage per charge cycle.

posted thaspaz here: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=761046
*** warning: not hit erase content , settings *** guess does

go settings>general>reset>reset settings
have selected "reset settings" , here findings. enjoy!

#1 - reset home screen icon positions
#2 - reset network settings
#3 - did not remove safari bookmarks
#4 - mail settings stayed
#5 - ipod settings default
#6 - store sign-in settings reset. signed out.
#7 - backlight 50%
#8 - general settings default
#9 - wallpaper still intact
#10 - sounds have been set default.
#11 - notes still intact
#12 - photos still intact
#13 - sms message conversations unchanged
#14 - phone favorites unchanged
#15 - third party app settings remain untouched (i'm still logged twitterrific , settings same)


testing defective batteries

defective batteries. first , foremost, charge wall. tried charging iphone imac , had 20% charge next morning. i'm not saying can't charge computer, diagnose problem, give wall charger shot.

#1 - reset iphone. (to perform soft reset, press , hold iphone’s sleep/wake button , home button several seconds, or until see apple logo on screen)
#2 - charge battery.
#3 - drain battery.
#4 - charge, again.
#5 - @ point, battery indicator should more accurate.
#6 - if battery still weak, head apple store potentially exchange iphone. (1 year warranty)

defective batteries past warranty coverage

- apple isn't required replace phone due battery issues (after 1 year). however, there occasions apple replace phone past warranty. father having issues battery after warranty expired. went genius bar , replaced phone without hassle. original iphone. ymmv.

battery extenders

mophie juice pack iphone 3g & 3gs - https://www.amazon.com/dp/b001e42qb...iveasin=b001e42qbw&adid=0x0jd5x6akpkynmy96mc&

tekkeon mp1200 iphone battery/iphone sleeve - https://www.amazon.com/dp/b001nj09h...iveasin=b001nj09hg&adid=1ge8wem6r6m2ckzj06xh&

 

the battery guage out of box isn't calibrated. remaining life indicator incorrect until you've done @ least 1 (some 2, 3) complete 100% (fully charged plus hour) 0% , recharge 100% again battery cycles.

if think battery life of brand new iphone getting better because changed something, turned off push or something, may battery gauge reading more accurately use it, , nothing did. wait until you've cycled charge before trusting battery life methods think you've found, or you'll falling trick of mind.

 

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