Help Battery Life???

[Dogwalker]

I'm getting about 8-14 hours on my last test in 4G.

Just a few basics, here's what I have set.

1) Turn auto brightness off. I have the screen set to 25% brightness
2) Check all your widgets... I have them sync every hour .. maybe 2 hours depending on the widget.
3) When I'm not using the phone, I just turn data off. I have a widget that does an immediate sync should I need to refresh data. My thought is this.. why have it keep syncing when you're not using the phone?
4) Wireless really drains the battery.. same for the Charge I tested.

 

[jinwons]

jinwons, I think you are one of the most objective members in this forum and value your thoughts, I would agree with you about the 3G battery life in comparison to my Dinc1.

But my concern is that I hardly used the phone today. In comparison to Droid Charge, in San Diego 4G network, I was using the phone more and getting almost 1/3 - 1/2 more battery life on average. When in a 3G area, LTE turned off, it would take hours to drop below 100%. The Charge charged up faster (2-3 hours), do not know if anyone has evaluated that yet, but the LG Revo seems to take about 3-4 (more toward 4) hours to fully charge from 20%. I may have a bum battery, who knows that may be the problem.

Jinwons did you Voodoo your Fascinate?

Sorry for late response. I was off the computer for a while. I can understand your dissatisfaction with Revo's battery life relative to Charge's excellent battery performance. But Revo doesn't seem too bad for LTE phone. Drain rate about 7~10% per hour under 4G standby is better than Tbolt I think. It has better performance out of box and more stable radio than Charge which often drops connection. Though rooting Charge can unleash its performance potential somewhat, that's one more major step to go through. Also Charge has small 2Gb of internal storage compared to Revo's big 16Gb internal storage. And No, I didn't root Fascinate. But updated to official Froyo and using it with LP.

 

[jinwons]

I'm getting about 8-14 hours on my last test in 4G.

Just a few basics, here's what I have set.

1) Turn auto brightness off. I have the screen set to 25% brightness
2) Check all your widgets... I have them sync every hour .. maybe 2 hours depending on the widget.
3) When I'm not using the phone, I just turn data off. I have a widget that does an immediate sync should I need to refresh data. My thought is this.. why have it keep syncing when you're not using the phone?
4) Wireless really drains the battery.. same for the Charge I tested.

How do you turn off data? You mean disabling background data in sync setting or data in mobile network setting?

 

[rushmore]

Folks, after three seperate radio chips having (at best) mixed success with LTE and connection & 3G/4G toggles issues (not to mention the higher power draw of the LTE radio), it seem a given the current LTE devices are all at a disadvantage, unless an update to the network and/or firmware can be released to fix the issues.

Seems best to test with LTE off and CDMA-only on. The devices are probably NOT the problem, IMO. Immature tech & network seems the culprit. Looks like VZW should have vested more time with their LTE network & tech and less resources with their Apple love-affair. Even VZW own field tech people state this, on a regular basis.

 

[Dogwalker]

How do you turn off data? You mean disabling background data in sync setting or data in mobile network setting?

@jinwons I am testing out 2 apps. Widgetsoid has a disable mobile data widget that turns off mobile data but allows you to receive calls. The other app is data switch. Since the revolution does not allow one to switch between 3 and 4g without reboot, this app does the the same thing as widgetsoid. I'm evaluating them with respect to their ability to seamlessly turn the 3G or 4G on/off with no issues.

Airplane mode is not the same, it shuts everything off, no ability to receive calls.

 

[jinwons]

@jinwons I am testing out 2 apps. Widgetsoid has a disable mobile data widget that turns off mobile data but allows you to receive calls. The other app is data switch. Since the revolution does not allow one to switch between 3 and 4g without reboot, this app does the the same thing as widgetsoid. I'm evaluating them with respect to their ability to seamlessly turn the 3G or 4G on/off with no issues.

Airplane mode is not the same, it shuts everything off, no ability to receive calls.

Thanks for suggesting those apps. Widgetsoid seems to do a lot of things.
Does Widgetsoid also turn off 4G LTE when it shuts down mobile data? Seems like data switch is not working for 2.3. But it would good if it can turn off LTE without rebooting.

 

[Dogwalker]

Thanks for suggesting those apps. Widgetsoid seems to do a lot of things.
Does Widgetsoid also turn off 4G LTE when it shuts down mobile data? Seems like data switch is not working for 2.3. But it would good if it can turn off LTE without rebooting.

I think so... I'm currently on 3G mode. It switches off the radio, but can't switch to 3G without a reboot as expected. I'll test it out in 4g later. I'm sure I've tested it...just can't recall.

 

[jinwons]

I think so... I'm currently on 3G mode. It switches off the radio, but can't switch to 3G without a reboot as expected. I'll test it out in 4g later. I'm sure I've tested it...just can't recall.

That's good if Widgetsoid can turn on/off mobile data when it's in 4G LTE automatic mode. There is also LTE switch that seems similar to data switch, but that one also requires rebooting for 4G to 3G toggle.

 

[Dogwalker]

Just a quick update, with then radio turned off, I'm getting 10% drain after 4 hours, even after throwing in a few phone calls!

 

[jinwons]

Actually "LTE onoff" app developed for Tbolt does seamless switches to 3G or 4G auto without having to reboot phone. But right now, it doesn't work for Charge, Revo, but newer version will probably do.

 

[Ufkal]

I think my battery may be more competitive if I can remember to turn off the WIFI when I leave my house. Once I get out of range, it keeps searching thus draining. Light usage today, mostly gmail sync, and a couple of phone calls, I'm at 51% after 7 hours. Lower than what I'd expect, but considering these things are mini computers, I can't expect them to last all day. As soon as a spare battery/charger pack becomes available I'll be happy. Overall this phone rocks. Everyone complains about battery for a while, and then the magic combo of apps on / apps off appears and we all move on to bigger things. Like removing all the bloat ware.
I for one like the phone.

 

[Haxcid]

I think my battery may be more competitive if I can remember to turn off the WIFI when I leave my house. Once I get out of range, it keeps searching thus draining. Light usage today, mostly gmail sync, and a couple of phone calls, I'm at 51% after 7 hours. Lower than what I'd expect, but considering these things are mini computers, I can't expect them to last all day. As soon as a spare battery/charger pack becomes available I'll be happy. Overall this phone rocks. Everyone complains about battery for a while, and then the magic combo of apps on / apps off appears and we all move on to bigger things. Like removing all the bloat ware.
I for one like the phone.

The doc with spare battery is available. It was offered to me last Saturday at the store 49.99 and 20% off. I had actual hands on, I opened the box and looked at it. Really considering purchasing it for the cradle for my phone at night.

 

[Ufkal]

The doc with spare battery is available. It was offered to me last Saturday at the store 49.99 and 20% off. I had actual hands on, I opened the box and looked at it. Really considering purchasing it for the cradle for my phone at night.

They only offered me the window mount thing I think. If I had realized (or paid enough attention) I would have gotten it. If I wasn't waiting for my new fridge to be delivered right now, I'd be on my way to VZW to pick that up. Awesome tip. Thanks Haxcid (My 5 year old loves your avatar btw) Now, I can move on to complaining about something else

 

[njKeever]

Is there any way to know how much charge the phone is getting via usb? I've had it plugged in for about 3 hours using usb tether with the screen off and it has only gone from 68% to 76%.

 

[jinwons]

I think my battery may be more competitive if I can remember to turn off the WIFI when I leave my house. Once I get out of range, it keeps searching thus draining. Light usage today, mostly gmail sync, and a couple of phone calls, I'm at 51% after 7 hours. Lower than what I'd expect, but considering these things are mini computers, I can't expect them to last all day. As soon as a spare battery/charger pack becomes available I'll be happy. Overall this phone rocks. Everyone complains about battery for a while, and then the magic combo of apps on / apps off appears and we all move on to bigger things. Like removing all the bloat ware.
I for one like the phone.

Agreed. Some folks still seem to have unrealistic expection for battery life in 4G phones. We can't expect BB like battery or even like some 3G phones that can go nearly couple of days. Eventually better LTE switch apps will be developed for Revo, Charge that does seamless toggle between 4G auto and 3G only, and more battery saving tips will be known. Then getting through working day would be non-issue to most if not all.

Seems like this is the first step to go through for any new android phone. I don't know any single high end android phone that battery life was non-issue initially.

 

[Haxcid]

Is there any way to know how much charge the phone is getting via usb? I've had it plugged in for about 3 hours using usb tether with the screen off and it has only gone from 68% to 76%.

Plugged mine into the wall charger at 49% yesterday and after 1.5hours it was at 98% for me. Mine was at 20% when I got it and it charged in full in 2 hours.

 

[Chris2183]

@jinwons I am testing out 2 apps. Widgetsoid has a disable mobile data widget that turns off mobile data but allows you to receive calls. The other app is data switch. Since the revolution does not allow one to switch between 3 and 4g without reboot, this app does the the same thing as widgetsoid. I'm evaluating them with respect to their ability to seamlessly turn the 3G or 4G on/off with no issues.

Ive been using Data Switch for a couple of days now. I work in a building with a lot of interference and depending where I am at in the building I have anywhere from full 4G coverage to no signal whatsoever. Yesterday I used no power management at all to see just how bad the building affects my 2900mah extended battery

8am- 100% charge (enter the building)

11:30am- 69% left: played a few games on break and did some web browsing during downtime(phone shifting constantly between 1x-3G-4G)

1:30pm- 50% left: Made a 20 min phone call, sent a few texts some more browsing

3pm- 37%left: phones been idle for the most part, signals been having trouble staying connected, something in the background is using data (I turn off background data at this time to save battery)

4:30pm-20% left and time to go home.



Today I took some active steps to get better battery life. I disabled background data, stopped everything from syncing automatically, and used Data Switch to toggle data off while not in use. I started with 100% at 8am again, did some browsing, sent texts and played games in free time. Aside from the phone call I actually used the phone more today than yesterday, I left at 5pm with 69% battery. I turned the data on when I left work and this evening, made several phone calls, downloaded some apps and checked out the new version of Dolphin HD for a bit. Its now almost 9:30pm and I am at 45% battery.

 

[jinwons]

Wow, I didn't know that extended battery for Revolution is such large capacity, 2900mAh. It's good to know.

BTW, were you able to toggle Revo between 4G auto and 3G with data switch when your Revo is in LTE automatic mode?

 

[djembeman]

So I got this phone at launch. Started out getting 8 hours, yesterday I got 10.5.

Today I got a quite excellent 16.5 hours.

1. I Set Facebook to never update data- I'll open the app when I want to see what's happening. No need for data to constantly be pushed!

2. I set Twitter to never update data- Same reasoning as above

3. I set my phone to CDMA(3G) only. No 4G in my area so I guess it might be searching for it when it's in auto mode.

4. I set my weather/clock widget to update only every 12 hours.

5. I turned WiFi and GPS off when not in use.

6. My screen is still on auto brightness and I do have data enabled so that I know when emails come in. I have also turned off much of the vibrate features.

Tomorrow I will try turning LTE/CDMA auto back on to see how much worse it is while keeping the rest the same.

 

[djembeman]

Is there any way to know how much charge the phone is getting via usb? I've had it plugged in for about 3 hours using usb tether with the screen off and it has only gone from 68% to 76%.

1st of all tethering is using a whole lot of phone power. It may sound odd but your phone is basically using the power as it's getting it, leaving very little left to store.

2nd, USB charging connected to a computer always takes longer than if you are plugged directly into the wall.

I might try WiFi hotspotting while plugged into the wall and see how that works. It used to work well on my Droid.

 

[Chris2183]

Wow, I didn't know that extended battery for Revolution is such large capacity, 2900mAh. It's good to know.

BTW, were you able to toggle Revo between 4G auto and 3G with data switch when your Revo is in LTE automatic mode?

Data Switch toggles data off and on (all or none), there is no way to go 4G to 3G without rebooting the phone. The nice thing about Data Switch is that you can still make calls and text while the data is off(SMS only MMS needs data). It connects fairly quickly (within seconds after pressing the button), and is extremely light on resources (it self terminates instead of hanging out in the resources)

Give it a go for yourself, for me it does exactly what I needed.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.tomatox.dataswitch&feature=search_result

 

[kramerica]

6. My screen is still on auto brightness and I do have data enabled so that I know when emails come in. I have also turned off much of the vibrate features.

Tomorrow I will try turning LTE/CDMA auto back on to see how much worse it is while keeping the rest the same.

When you say vibrate features, which ones specifically? Haptic feedback, keyboard vibration? What else? Both of these? One or the other? Any more I missed?

 

[jinwons]

Data Switch toggles data off and on (all or none), there is no way to go 4G to 3G without rebooting the phone. The nice thing about Data Switch is that you can still make calls and text while the data is off(SMS only MMS needs data). It connects fairly quickly (within seconds after pressing the button), and is extremely light on resources (it self terminates instead of hanging out in the resources)

Give it a go for yourself, for me it does exactly what I needed.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.tomatox.dataswitch&feature=search_result

It seems like good one but problem is data switch wouldn't work on 2.3 when it comes to Revo. Someone suggested Widgetsoid and it does the same thing plus many more stuffs.

I hope LTE onoff or similar app would support Revo in the near future. Right now LTE onoff only works for Tbolt and it does seamless data toggle to 4G auto, 3G CDMA, 1X, which is very nice.

 

[Chris2183]

I hope LTE onoff or similar app would support Revo in the near future. Right now LTE onoff only works for Tbolt and it does seamless data toggle to 4G auto, 3G CDMA, 1X, which is very nice.

Unless LG patches in a way to toggle between 4G/3G/1X without rebooting the phone, I doubt we will see a widget for it.

 

[jinwons]

Unless LG patches in a way to toggle between 4G/3G/1X without rebooting the phone, I doubt we will see a widget for it.

Hmm, I think Tbolt was like that at first. It didn't even have 4G radio switch setting. But I believe HTC/Verizon updated it later to include that setting and this LTE toggle app came out for it.
One of my fellow on Charge forum mentioned that Charge can toggle to 3G CDMA without rebooting too. So Revolution should be able to do so with update from LG/Verizon I think.