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Help OK, let's get real with battery life
- Thread starter Stingrayracing
- Start date
Just for fun... I'm going the other direction... how fast can you discharge your battery... 
My Bionic was delivered around 1pm today, I had it charged up to 100% ( or so it said ) by around 3:30pm ( not exact, after all I was at work and not paying close attention ).... I then had it completely discharged and it shut off by 5:15pm
Obviously this won't be normal usage... I managed to get all the programs I had installed on my OG Droid installed onto the Bionic... close to 90 apps minus my apps that required root. Most apps were backed up to my SD Card from the OG Droid and then installed temporarily into the Bionic... so that wasn't downloading but a handfull of apps at most.
So at the moment... I've got 2 full charges and one full discharge on the battery... I'll repeat the complete charge/recharge another few times and then start using it normally so I can get an idea of what the actual battery life is with the stock battery and determine if I want to go with an extended or not.
I still need to go back to the vids mentioned above and make certain I followed all of the suggestions and didn't forget something in them. I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to root it before ICS comes out or not... I'm sure I'll go back and forth on that decision a few times. It will stay stock for at least a week...
My Bionic was delivered around 1pm today, I had it charged up to 100% ( or so it said ) by around 3:30pm ( not exact, after all I was at work and not paying close attention ).... I then had it completely discharged and it shut off by 5:15pm
Obviously this won't be normal usage... I managed to get all the programs I had installed on my OG Droid installed onto the Bionic... close to 90 apps minus my apps that required root. Most apps were backed up to my SD Card from the OG Droid and then installed temporarily into the Bionic... so that wasn't downloading but a handfull of apps at most.
So at the moment... I've got 2 full charges and one full discharge on the battery... I'll repeat the complete charge/recharge another few times and then start using it normally so I can get an idea of what the actual battery life is with the stock battery and determine if I want to go with an extended or not.
I still need to go back to the vids mentioned above and make certain I followed all of the suggestions and didn't forget something in them. I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to root it before ICS comes out or not... I'm sure I'll go back and forth on that decision a few times. It will stay stock for at least a week...
I wish I was as trusting as you. I'm not ... at all.
Here's what I did ...
When I brought the Bionic home I chargedf it to 100%. I then took it off the charger and used it until it went to 0%. I repeated this three more times.
During the first week I added only six Apps. I downloaded these from the Android Market.
During the second week I added six Apps at a time every few hours downloaded from the Android Market.
10 of the Apps I had on my Droid X I decided not to install on the Bionic. All but four of trhe Apps came from the App Market.
I have about 85 Apps installed. There were problems with two of them not supporting the Bionic. This was caught by the Marktet and download was prevented. Both have since been upgraded by the authors.
All but two of my current Apps came directly from the Android Market.
... Thom
Here's what I did ...
When I brought the Bionic home I chargedf it to 100%. I then took it off the charger and used it until it went to 0%. I repeated this three more times.
During the first week I added only six Apps. I downloaded these from the Android Market.
During the second week I added six Apps at a time every few hours downloaded from the Android Market.
10 of the Apps I had on my Droid X I decided not to install on the Bionic. All but four of trhe Apps came from the App Market.
I have about 85 Apps installed. There were problems with two of them not supporting the Bionic. This was caught by the Marktet and download was prevented. Both have since been upgraded by the authors.
All but two of my current Apps came directly from the Android Market.
... Thom
All of my apps come from either the Android Market or Amazon Market.
Good. I hope you downloaded themfresh when you got the Bionic.
As far as I can tell the compatability checking is doen on the Marktet side when you select something for download. It stopped two bad ones (now corrected) in my case. You may also recal where it pulled a number out threcently that could infect your device.
The two I have installed outside are the missing FM Radio App that allows you to use the FM receiver in the Bionic and the other one has since been added to the Marktet. (I don't recall what it was.)
... Thom
As far as I can tell the compatability checking is doen on the Marktet side when you select something for download. It stopped two bad ones (now corrected) in my case. You may also recal where it pulled a number out threcently that could infect your device.
The two I have installed outside are the missing FM Radio App that allows you to use the FM receiver in the Bionic and the other one has since been added to the Marktet. (I don't recall what it was.)
... Thom
I'm not sure if it's about "trusting" so much as simply not being afraid to use the device as it was intended... If something does happen to go wrong and I can't correct it, I keep all data backed up so I'm not out that... therefore I can simply do a factory reset if needed and be up and going again.
Utility programs are the most likely to be "broken" by a minor OS update... I had used all of the programs I had on the OG Droid under versions 2.1.x, 2.2.x and 2.3.x already so it was unlikely that they didn't work under the Bionic 2.3.x versions... I did have trouble with one, MotoTorch which I replaced with another similar util. In addition, if there is a new version released just for the Bionic and similar phones, they will show and an update in the Market.
So far.... in the battery arena... things are looking pretty good I'd have to say. I use my phone for business use most of the time, no games but perhaps a game of Solitaire, no Vids or Music typically. After 6 hours of light use, under 10 calls, with 4G enabled... I'm still at 80%. I do have all push email's disabled... I'm having the email accounts checked every 10 minutes ( 4 accts using K-9)... I do have my Contacts and Calendar's still setup to sync but not Gmail or Books. The only active widget ( connection-wise ) that I use is Beautiful Widgets to keep the weather info updated every 15 min. So at this point, what I'm seeing is on par for what I saw used on my OG Droid even with the 4G enabled ( sort of suprised me really since I expected it to use more battery than what I'm seeing ).
Utility programs are the most likely to be "broken" by a minor OS update... I had used all of the programs I had on the OG Droid under versions 2.1.x, 2.2.x and 2.3.x already so it was unlikely that they didn't work under the Bionic 2.3.x versions... I did have trouble with one, MotoTorch which I replaced with another similar util. In addition, if there is a new version released just for the Bionic and similar phones, they will show and an update in the Market.
So far.... in the battery arena... things are looking pretty good I'd have to say. I use my phone for business use most of the time, no games but perhaps a game of Solitaire, no Vids or Music typically. After 6 hours of light use, under 10 calls, with 4G enabled... I'm still at 80%. I do have all push email's disabled... I'm having the email accounts checked every 10 minutes ( 4 accts using K-9)... I do have my Contacts and Calendar's still setup to sync but not Gmail or Books. The only active widget ( connection-wise ) that I use is Beautiful Widgets to keep the weather info updated every 15 min. So at this point, what I'm seeing is on par for what I saw used on my OG Droid even with the 4G enabled ( sort of suprised me really since I expected it to use more battery than what I'm seeing ).
Ok...
None of what I'm reporting is really exacting measurements... I'm just sharing what I'm experiencing with the community but basing the statements on what "it feels like" compared to my OG Droid and how I used it. Disclaimer off....
In the last "report" I had Wireless disabled and ran with 4G all day long... I had also setup using the exact same widgets and had already configured my email settings so all of those were scheduled at 10m checks and not using push along with the Contacts and Calendar info still being pushed... basically it was setup as close to what my OG Droid was setup and then optimised with any additional options given in the Bionic.
The last couple of hours I ended up using the phone much more than the first 6hrs... At the end of work... I ended up with 50% battery remaining ( stock battery, not the extended ). I believe that about the same amount of usage on the OG Droid would have probably left me with at least 60% if not 70% of remaining battery...
After getting home, since I'm trying to condition the battery ( I'm of the belief that it does help )... I kicked on the wireless, set the screen to full brightness and disabled it from switching off in order to finish running down the battery to 0% left. I didn't use the phone for anything else that evening. The battery finally died at just shy of 12 full hours of use as I described ( as inaccurately as it was )
Today ( now yesterday I guess )... I repeated the same as above only I also disabled 4G and ran 3G all day since I seldom need web access on the phone during work hours( I'm surounded by computers at work ). My phone call usage was a good 30% higher. I ended up working 1 1/2 hrs longer and at the end of the work day... I still had 70% of the battery life left, what I consider a marked improvement over what I would have seen with the OG Droid.
None of what I'm reporting is really exacting measurements... I'm just sharing what I'm experiencing with the community but basing the statements on what "it feels like" compared to my OG Droid and how I used it. Disclaimer off....
In the last "report" I had Wireless disabled and ran with 4G all day long... I had also setup using the exact same widgets and had already configured my email settings so all of those were scheduled at 10m checks and not using push along with the Contacts and Calendar info still being pushed... basically it was setup as close to what my OG Droid was setup and then optimised with any additional options given in the Bionic.
The last couple of hours I ended up using the phone much more than the first 6hrs... At the end of work... I ended up with 50% battery remaining ( stock battery, not the extended ). I believe that about the same amount of usage on the OG Droid would have probably left me with at least 60% if not 70% of remaining battery...
After getting home, since I'm trying to condition the battery ( I'm of the belief that it does help )... I kicked on the wireless, set the screen to full brightness and disabled it from switching off in order to finish running down the battery to 0% left. I didn't use the phone for anything else that evening. The battery finally died at just shy of 12 full hours of use as I described ( as inaccurately as it was )
Today ( now yesterday I guess )... I repeated the same as above only I also disabled 4G and ran 3G all day since I seldom need web access on the phone during work hours( I'm surounded by computers at work ). My phone call usage was a good 30% higher. I ended up working 1 1/2 hrs longer and at the end of the work day... I still had 70% of the battery life left, what I consider a marked improvement over what I would have seen with the OG Droid.
guitarskoota
Newbie
So I have a question about 3g and battery life. I am in a 3g only area 95% of the time, but when I do travel on occasion, I get 4g signal. Would turning it to CMDA only mode when I am at home, really help the battery charge duration?
I'd rather keep it on CMDA/LTE mode all the time, so that when I do travel, I don't have to try to remember to turn it back on to take advantage of the faster speed. But if it doesn't make much of a difference, I would rather just keep it on CMDA/LTE mode.
I'd rather keep it on CMDA/LTE mode all the time, so that when I do travel, I don't have to try to remember to turn it back on to take advantage of the faster speed. But if it doesn't make much of a difference, I would rather just keep it on CMDA/LTE mode.
Extended battery? Huh? We're talking about the Razr, no?
You're in the Bionic forum >.>. We're talking about battery life on the Bionics not Razr so yes extended battery.
As far as the CDMA/LTE i would assume there is a little battery drain but I doubt it's significant enough to notice. I would assume that its constantly searching for a 4G signal. I have been on CDMA/LTE all week and I never realized it til yesterday. I am currently back on CDMA only and only turn on 4G when I need it. 4G drains my battery even during idling. I had my battery die on me when I had 20% left while I was sleeping cause it was left 4G on.
Just ordered the extended battery from verizons website...why cant the stores match the website pricing....f'ing annoying...
anyhow, anyone know if there is a decent case, preferably rubberized, that will fit the phone with the ext batt? Im planning on just using my reg battery for most days but I figured Id need the ext batt for those days when Im snowboarding and listening to music over bluetooth
anyhow, anyone know if there is a decent case, preferably rubberized, that will fit the phone with the ext batt? Im planning on just using my reg battery for most days but I figured Id need the ext batt for those days when Im snowboarding and listening to music over bluetooth
That being the case ... some people just carry an extra standard battery with them and swap it when it is needed.
One persopn claims to carry it in his wallet ... no comment.
... Thom
Usually its the same for the stores. The pricing isn't reflected until the checkout. My rep verified that on his tablet when he checked the price for me. He wasn't even aware of the 50% pricing and I was the one who told him about it. The SKU may show the full price but upon checkout, much like the website, it'll reflect the discount. Your reps may not be aware of that and are too lazy to check for you. Also if it's not an actual VZW retailer and just a small authorized dealer then pricing will vary as they don't always follow the main retailers.
Ya I called the corporate store and told the guy it doesnt change till check out. he said it was still $49.99...also on the website, it appears that only the battery is 50% off. I added the windshiled mount to the cart and at checkout it was still full price...found it $10 cheaper at Window Car Mount w. Front Camera View for Motorola Droid Bionic
Just to update what I've experienced with my battery life since my posts at the end of November and first of December...
After performing 5 full charge/discharge cycles... I'm not seeing enough of a difference in battery life than what I originally reported... at least it isn't noticable. On 3G only, I get a bit more battery life than my OG Droid had, understandable since the Bionic's battery has more capacity. On 4G service, it's slightly less than what I experienced on the OG Droid.
I suspect a lot of the 4G drop in battery life is dependant on the 4G signal strength I get in the areas I frequent the most. At work and at home I don't have as strong of a 4G signal so I suspect my phone is boosting it's power level to help make up for that.
Last night, I downloaded and installed the leaked 5.5.893 rom and updated... I haven't read many reports on if that rom helped battery life or not... But now I'll find out. At this time, unlike the OG Droid, I haven't been having any issues that require that I update beyond the released version... So I've been playing it "safe" for now...
I hope we get a SBF file soon so I can feel safer about rooting the phone later... I've got a few paid apps that I'd like to take advantage of at some point but without any technical reasons to use custom roms like I had on the OG Droid.. I don't want to chance it at this stage of the game.
guitarskoota...
I suspect the only way for you to find out if it affects your battery much or not is to do your own testing to find out. Run a few days with just CDMA enabled... then a few days with CDMA/LTE enabled and compare the results. A lot of it will depend on the signal strength's you experience and how much your phone will try to compensate for a weak signal.
After performing 5 full charge/discharge cycles... I'm not seeing enough of a difference in battery life than what I originally reported... at least it isn't noticable. On 3G only, I get a bit more battery life than my OG Droid had, understandable since the Bionic's battery has more capacity. On 4G service, it's slightly less than what I experienced on the OG Droid.
I suspect a lot of the 4G drop in battery life is dependant on the 4G signal strength I get in the areas I frequent the most. At work and at home I don't have as strong of a 4G signal so I suspect my phone is boosting it's power level to help make up for that.
Last night, I downloaded and installed the leaked 5.5.893 rom and updated... I haven't read many reports on if that rom helped battery life or not... But now I'll find out. At this time, unlike the OG Droid, I haven't been having any issues that require that I update beyond the released version... So I've been playing it "safe" for now...
I hope we get a SBF file soon so I can feel safer about rooting the phone later... I've got a few paid apps that I'd like to take advantage of at some point but without any technical reasons to use custom roms like I had on the OG Droid.. I don't want to chance it at this stage of the game.
guitarskoota...
I suspect the only way for you to find out if it affects your battery much or not is to do your own testing to find out. Run a few days with just CDMA enabled... then a few days with CDMA/LTE enabled and compare the results. A lot of it will depend on the signal strength's you experience and how much your phone will try to compensate for a weak signal.