Smartphones have become part and parcel of our lives, so much so that the thought of the battery dying out before the day ends, is enough to raise the stress levels significantly. How to get battery charge to last through the day is a challenge most consumers face.
Smartphones use lithium-ion batteries, which over time lose their capacity. It is therefore inevitable that the battery will at some point die off, and the onus is on the user to help in reducing the rate of the charge reduction. Improper care of the battery effectively reduces its lifespan, but with a few tips, users might extend the lifespan of the battery.
- Don’t over-charge!
Leaving the phone charging overnight is probably the most common habit by consumers. Once the device gets to 100 per cent, it should be unplugged. Over-charging is harmful for battery life. It’s advised that you charge the battery once it gets to about 20 per cent and get it out of charge at 90 per cent.
- Reduce screen brightness
In terms of usage pattern, reducing the brightness of the screen will save some power on the battery. As technology on display screens keeps on improving, so does the consumption of energy. For devices with auto-brightness, the feature can help reduce the consumption by adjusting brightness to suit the lighting levels. Keeping the screen time-out short will also save you some battery power.
- Switch off Wi-Fi when you don’t need it
Wi-Fi is a battery drainer. Once you are out of a Wi-Fi zone, remember to switch it off and only turn it back on if you need to use it when you are within range of your Wi-Fi network. The same applies for the GPS feature. There are a number of apps on our devices that will need to access the location services. It is best to only switch it on when you intend to use these apps.
- Don’t leave your phone on vibrate
Vibration of the smartphone uses more power than playing the ringtone. Therefore, consider having your ringtone at the lowest volume that can notify you of an incoming call. When your device vibrates, it rotates a small weight that makes the phone shake, thus taking up more power.
- Use your flash sparingly
For the photography lovers, consider taking photos during the day without the flash. Some of the flashes are very powerful, and will consume a lot of energy.
- Turn off non-essential apps
Remember to turn off non-essential notifications. Most apps continue using the internet in the background to search for messages and updates. Every time the device lights up your screen, displays a message or makes the LED blink, more energy is consumed.
- Pay attention to power saving features
Above all, if your device comes with power saving features, make a point to utilise them. The feature will kill off background apps, dim the screen, reduce the screen time out and also prevent apps from updating in the background.
With these few tips, you won’t have to worry about your battery dying on you at an inopportune time
