Smartphone Battery Upgrade: How to Add a Longer-Lasting Battery
Extending Smartphone Battery Life
It’s midday, and your phone is already showing a battery level of just 37%. Fortunately, several methods exist to prevent this situation and increase the operational time of your smartphone.
The trend in mobile phone design is towards increasingly slim devices. A larger battery could be accommodated if manufacturers maintained current device thicknesses.
Battery Saving Strategies
Alongside exploring options for increased battery capacity, it’s crucial to implement battery-saving techniques. These are readily available for both Android phones and iPhone devices.
Optimizing settings and usage patterns can significantly contribute to extending the time between charges. Consider reviewing power consumption by individual apps.
- Reduce screen brightness.
- Disable background app refresh.
- Utilize power saving mode.
- Limit location services.
By combining proactive battery management with an awareness of device capabilities, users can effectively mitigate the issue of rapid battery drain.
Option 1: Utilizing a Battery Case
Related: Debunking Battery Life Myths for Mobile Phones, Tablets, and Laptops
One solution to consider is investing in a battery case. As the name suggests, this is a protective case for your smartphone, similar to standard cases. However, it features an integrated battery, resulting in a noticeably thicker profile.
Essentially, a battery case provides an external power source that you carry with your device. Instead of a separate power bank, the case itself connects to your phone’s charging port. Charging is then accomplished by plugging a cable directly into the case, replenishing both the phone’s battery and the case’s internal power supply.
This method effectively allows you to transport an additional battery without the inconvenience of a detached power pack and cable. A simple switch activates the charging process, transferring power from the case to your phone. Furthermore, simultaneous charging of both devices is often possible, streamlining the charging routine.
For users who frequently require extended battery life throughout the day, a battery case is often the most practical choice. Mophie is a prominent manufacturer of iPhone battery cases, and they also produce models compatible with other smartphone brands. Numerous other companies offer similar products. Ensure compatibility by selecting a case specifically designed for your phone model before purchasing.
Aftermarket Battery Replacement as an Option
User-replaceable batteries are becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones. However, certain models still offer this functionality. Notably, Samsung’s Galaxy series, including flagship devices like the Galaxy S5 and other S-series phones, provide users with the ability to swap out their batteries.
This design allows for the installation of aftermarket batteries that boast increased capacity. These often come with a new plastic back panel designed to accommodate the larger size. Replacing both the battery and the back panel offers a more integrated solution compared to external battery cases.
Finding Extended Batteries
If your phone features a user-replaceable battery, it’s likely that larger capacity replacements are available for purchase. These replacements directly substitute your phone’s original battery and back cover.
A simple online search using terms like "extended battery" combined with your phone’s model name will yield relevant results. For instance, extended batteries claiming to triple the battery life of a Samsung Galaxy S5 can be found online for approximately $40.
It’s important to acknowledge that this method will inevitably increase the phone’s overall thickness and size. The acceptability of this trade-off depends on individual needs – if daily battery life is a significant concern, the increased bulk may be worthwhile.
However, caution should be exercised when selecting a battery. Avoid extremely low-priced options, as quality and safety can be compromised.
Further Reading: How to Identify Battery-Draining Apps on iPhones and iPadsOption 3: Utilizing a Portable Battery Pack
Related: A Comprehensive Guide to Purchasing an External Battery Pack
An alternative solution involves employing an external battery pack. Instead of a battery replacement or a dedicated battery case, a separate power bank can be carried and connected to your smartphone with a cable when charging is needed away from a power source. This approach preserves your phone’s slim profile and allows the pack to power other devices requiring supplemental energy, such as tablets.
Editor's Note: During our recent attendance at CES 2015, we acquired a RAVPower external battery pack which performed exceptionally well. Multiple iPhone 6 recharges were achieved throughout the event without needing to replenish the pack’s own charge.
However, certain drawbacks exist. The battery pack represents an additional item to transport, making pocket storage challenging and favoring placement within a bag. A cable connection is required for charging, preventing the convenience of simply pocketing your phone while it charges, as is possible with a battery case.
Furthermore, the battery pack itself requires periodic recharging, adding another task to your daily routine. Despite these considerations, a portable battery pack remains a viable option. If extended power is only occasionally needed, it provides a convenient solution for days with heavy phone usage. On days with minimal use, the pack can be left behind, maintaining your phone’s sleek design.
Conversely, if your phone consistently struggles to last a full day, a battery case or an extended battery offers a more consistently accessible solution, always available in your pocket.
Regularly charging your phone throughout the day can also be beneficial. Connecting your smartphone to your computer via a USB cable while using it will initiate charging. Modern batteries are not susceptible to memory effect, meaning frequent top-ups will not cause damage.
Image Credit: Beau Giles on Flickr, Karlis Dambrans on Flickr