Want incredible battery life? (OFFICIAL HTC INCREDIBLE BATTERY THREAD)

[alamoe]

1st time you charge the battery, is it "done" when the green light comes on or are you supposed to leave it charging for awhile? I know they used to say in the letter that it needed to stay on the charger and that it wasn't done... it often hits green in like 2 hours...

I would charge it till its green. Then leave it on charger and turn it off. Let it charge like that till the light turns green again. After that you're good to go

 

[Kappy]

I'm getting a lot of conflicting opinions.

Matchup:

1. This site strongly recommends that you charge your battery before activating it.

2. Other sources have noted that you should start it up and use it until it is mostly drained before charging it.



Does anybody have any scientific evidence to support one theory over the other?

What are the consequences of letting it drain before charging if you side with #1?

I go by what the owner's manual says so I will charger mine to 100% first. Just my opinion.

 

[OUJukebox]

I agree. Also, isn't it true that if you use the 'back' button to close out an app instead of using the 'home' button it assures you are closing the app?

I've seen that notion posted by others, but can't remember anything to that effect in the documentation (not saying it isn't there, just don't remember). Android development puts the onus on the developer to handle certain situations for optimal results. Backing out might alleviate that for the programmer or maybe is more obviously handled.

My personal android experience is limited to my not currently having a device and being too lazy to write code at home after doing it all day at work.

Anybody else have any info on this? I always wonder when I hit the back button if it closes the program or if it keeps running but just disappears from the screen. When on the home page a long press of the Home button brings up a list of programs that I have used - are all the programs on this list still running and using battery, or are they suspended and able to be relaunched quickly, but not currently using any battery?

I'm an Android noob, so if anybody can answer this question I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[arich57]

http://androidforums.com/htc-incredible/70460-battery-life-test-stats.html

 

[rdalecki]

I just bought two 1500mah batteries for my Eris (got them last week) , anyone know if they will be compatable with the Incredible??

I did some research on this battery type and found an article that mentioned that the battery starts to "age" from the time of manufacture. So using two batteries is not recommended. Use one until it dies then buy another.

 

[rdalecki]

The whole letting it discharge is wrong. Lithium based batteries do not like this. They like partial charges. End of story. I do not want to get technical (have done it in other threads elsewhere, and no one really understands), but PM me if you want, and I can.

-Nkk

Citation: I am a Chemical Engineering/Physics major working in a materials science battery lab focusing on the resetting of Lithium ion batteries. Oddly relevant, no?

EDIT: This is not to say never let them discharge. The overall bad done if you do it once may be outweighed by allowing your phone's battery indicator to correctly calibrate.

Agreed. Maybe you wrote the article that I read. From what I've read don't over charge or let it die. No extremes. Also, this type battery needs an external program (the phone) to control the charging process. Did I understand it correctly?

 

[scozzy]

I have 2 questions about the initial post:

1) Why is it bad to use a task killer? What would be a better tool to use? I often find that programs begin running without any action on my part (Skype, Craigsnotifica in particular) and I have to kill them.

2) Is there hard proof that wi-fi sucks up less battery than the 3G? The last smartphone I had was the HTC Ozone and the wi-fi absolutely obliterated the battery, so I don't know how better phones compare.

Thanks

 

[russell5]

Anybody else have any info on this? I always wonder when I hit the back button if it closes the program or if it keeps running but just disappears from the screen. When on the home page a long press of the Home button brings up a list of programs that I have used - are all the programs on this list still running and using battery, or are they suspended and able to be relaunched quickly, but not currently using any battery?

I'm an Android noob, so if anybody can answer this question I would greatly appreciate it.

Using back only works for fully exiting the app if the app is written to do so. Not all will. Like the market app. If you press back out of it then go back in the page refreshes. But if you just hit home then go back in no refresh and brings you where you were.

The holding of the home button is just most recent apps nothing to do with whats in memory or not.

 

[russell5]

I have 2 questions about the initial post:

1) Why is it bad to use a task killer? What would be a better tool to use? I often find that programs begin running without any action on my part (Skype, Craigsnotifica in particular) and I have to kill them.

2) Is there hard proof that wi-fi sucks up less battery than the 3G? The last smartphone I had was the HTC Ozone and the wi-fi absolutely obliterated the battery, so I don't know how better phones compare.

Thanks

1. Android will handle memory very well and there isn't always a need to kill apps.

2. I don't know if there is hard proof but what i can tell you is for gsm 3g sucks battery like its going out of style. I used to extend my battery by a ton using wifi. But with cdma i am not sure.

Also by default the wifi will go to sleep 10 minutes after the phone goes to sleep. I assume this is to save power but not sure if you keep waking up your phone often if it really helps.

 

[babyrat]

I did some research on this battery type and found an article that mentioned that the battery starts to "age" from the time of manufacture. So using two batteries is not recommended. Use one until it dies then buy another.

You won't greatly extend the life of the battery by using them less frequently (like you do with running shoes, for instance), however having a second battery allows you to use your phone when the first battery dies and you don't have access to an alternative power source.

From my electric model airplane experience, you notice a significant difference in capacity after about 3 years with L-ion or LiPo batteries, whether you use them or not.
This is extra-noticable for planes as the difference between a new battery and one that spent is 6 minutes compared to 3 minutes, not 16 hours compared to 12 hours like for a phone.

That being said, the people who bought a Verizon Incredible on day 1 will likely be replacing it after the 'new every two' (which is actually only 20 months if I recall my contract) has expired...so no need to worry too much about unused shelf life.

 

[kayst]

the wifi will go to sleep 10 minutes after the phone goes to sleep.

Does the phone really go to sleep when you push the power button, or does that just turn off the screen? I know that nav still runs when you push it. Is there another way to make it sleep?

 

[JennSTX]

If anyone can think of or list any Android applications that tend to drain battery quickly, please post them! Thanks in advance!

Do NOT get the free app Brain Genius Deluxe. It installs under a com.andoid type file and when I checked in settings what was draining my battery that was like 80% of my battery drain. The name made me think it was a system file but because It installs under the icon of a black hat with a graduation brim I figured out that it wasn't. Took me forever.

I also noticed Skype mobile I have to constantly close and I do have the App Killer which is very helpful and the free Battery Widget.

I got my Droid on the 29th and so far have been freaked out on how little I use my phone and how much the battery drains. The first day I used it a lot and was in my car and had to keep it on the charger. Today I have everything turned off (wifi, gps, etc..all apps..just on standby so I can accept calls as turning it off is not an option and haven't made a single call but did check Facebook once and closed it out. It's 4pm and I'm at 80%.

Yesterday made one call for over an hour and it drained the battery by 30%.

This is my experience so far, and think tonight I will use it..get the battery down by playing a game then shut off to charge it up. Maybe that will help.

 

[royalemint]

Can someone confirm with me if the seidio innocell fot htc touch pro 2 will work for the incredible? Because the price is cheaper by $10 if you buy the htc touch pro 2 battery.

TIA

 

[The Antagonist]

Can someone confirm with me if the seidio innocell fot htc touch pro 2 will work for the incredible? Because the price is cheaper by $10 if you buy the htc touch pro 2 battery.

TIA

Yes

 

[tetrismaster]

What are the window animations? I can't tell the difference between having it on and off. I guess I should probably just turn it off if I can't tell the difference...

 

[bhegberg]

I got my DI four days ago and have been playing with it avidly since then. I've also been lurking and watching all the battery posts (so to speak) because I was getting only 5-6 hours on a charge. I have to admit I didn't immediately follow the recommended "full charge without using it" instructions posted here, simply because I was too excited.
But on the fourth day I disciplined myself, let 'er go dry, and did a full recharge before turning it back on. VOILA! I'm now on hour 9 with moderate use and I have 50% left!! (I did turn off push email as hitting two extra buttons doesn't seem to me to be a big deal to check mail. Enough connectedness is enough.)
So, before giving up all hope, follow the instructions of the experienced posters above. You may be happily surprised.
And thanks to the guys who provide this forum. Kudos to you all.

 

[MrPinstripe]

I got my DI four days ago and have been playing with it avidly since then. I've also been lurking and watching all the battery posts (so to speak) because I was getting only 5-6 hours on a charge. I have to admit I didn't immediately follow the recommended "full charge without using it" instructions posted here, simply because I was too excited.
But on the fourth day I disciplined myself, let 'er go dry, and did a full recharge before turning it back on. VOILA! I'm now on hour 9 with moderate use and I have 50% left!! (I did turn off push email as hitting two extra buttons doesn't seem to me to be a big deal to check mail. Enough connectedness is enough.)
So, before giving up all hope, follow the instructions of the experienced posters above. You may be happily surprised.
And thanks to the guys who provide this forum. Kudos to you all.

Would have to agree. I was almost freaking out the first few days...I literally could watch the Battery % drop like a countdown, was getting something akind to 3-4 hours of moderate use out of it, with everything disabled.

Then two days in a row I discipline myself, and let 'er drain ALL the way down.

Charged w/ power off...

and I unplugged this morning after a full charge, and have had everything but GPS on all day. Its currently 3:09 local time (PST) and I'm at 67%.

So whoever said these things just need to find their legs?

Good on'ya!

 

[SecretSexyNinja]

i've yet to charge WITH the power off.. totally missed that. Will do tonight

 

[Eshyn]

i've yet to charge WITH the power off.. totally missed that. Will do tonight

Same here.

 

[MikiBee]

When you all talk about draining the battery ALL the way down, do you mean kill it completely to where it shuts off? I didn't charge my batter last night (it was at 30%) because I wanted to drain it as much as possible before I re-charged, however, when I got up this morning, I had 12% left and it was red with a big "connect to charger" (or something similar) notice on my screen, so I put it on the charger.

Should I let it drain till the phone turns off?

 

[neggie]

ok tell me if i did this right since the 29th i have charge it up ...drain it to where it shuts off and charged it all the back up again 3 times. I put a airplane widget on homescreen cause of the bug issue with the wake deal. now only 2 more questions.

1. do i need to discharge and recharge it again?
2. if i keep it on all the time even while charging overnight will that be ok ?

BTWthanks to all of you been very helpful

 

[Kappy]

I have been reading the threads on here and different websites on Lithium Ion batteries.

They do NOT recommend completely discharging (running the phone until it shuts off) frequently. Do it once every 30 charges (or 1 a month) for the purpose of keeping your phone's battery meter calibrated.

Frequently discharging the battery 100% will lead to permanent battery life loss.

Apparently, lithium ion batteries do not mind being charged frequently, but do not like to be left at full (or no) charge for vary long. So, do NOT let the battery sit completely dead for an extended amount of time and I would not let it sit on the charger after it is fully charged for an extended amount of time (I.E. all night long while you sleep). Both of those can lead to permanent battery life loss.

HTC recommends you charge the battery for 8 hours when you first get it before you do anything to the phone. They recommend you only do this the first time only. I think this is NOT because the battery needs conditioning (lithium ion batteries do not need to be conditioned and do not have "memory" issues), but because the PHONE needs to be calibrated correctly. This is why after several charges people are now claiming to get better battery life.

I do not own the phone yet. Haven't bought it, but this is what I am gathering from other members and reading on the web. Lithium ion batteries like to be used (this is why they are great for cell phones, because they are always on). So use the phone and don't hesitate to charge it when it is conveniant for you (as mentioned above, lithium ion batteries do not have "memory" issues. Your battery meter could develop a memory issue though). I personally will wait for it to go below 60% full before I charge (normally). Sometimes I may charge at 68%, then maybe the next time at 52%, then possibly 24%. I would just make sure 1 a month you run it from a full 100% charge down to 0% to calibrate the battery meter on your phone. This way the battery meter will not have any "memory" issues.

On a final note, read the owner's manual and check out the HTC website "help & how-to" section. http://www.htc.com/us/support/droid-incredible-verizon/help/power-and-battery

I always follow the owner's guide and what the manufacturers suggest. They tested and built the phone, so they should know what works best. I know you can't always follow these guidelines or this advice, but if you try to and work at it, you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[dibs ODDJOB]

I just installed Timeriffic. Besides being great for auto adjusting ringer, screen brightness, etc., it has improved battery life by giving me an option that I used with my BB all the time: Auto ON/OFF.

At night, I have it set to turn on Airplane mode when I go to bed and then turn off airplane mode before I wake up. This turns off all radios, which really saves on battery. NOTE: You will NOT be able to receive calls during this time. Doesn't matter to me because I am sleeping, but you might need it.

My battery only dropped 3% over the night, compared to at least 15% before I started doing this. Helpful if you forget to plug it in overnight.

 

[neggie]

how are you guys getting the % numbers is there somewhere that shows you actual percentage?

 

[PSUBALL10]

how are you guys getting the % numbers is there somewhere that shows you actual percentage?

Wondering the same thing.