How to Increase iPhone 3G Battery Life

By Gary Ng on July 22nd, 2008 120

After picking up my iPhone 3G the day after Rogers’ craptacular launch, I was quite impressed with the blazing speed of 3G connectivity. It’s unfortunate the battery life on the iPhone 3G runs out faster than you can say Jesus Jobs.

My iPhone 3G Battery Saga…to be continued…

The first time I used my iPhone 3G after a full charge via the wall charger, the battery life was extremely dismal. After some light surfing and barely any talking, I received the 20% battery remaining pop up. This was after less than 6 hours of standby time. My usage showed about 3.5hrs and just under 6 hours of standby. Something definitely was messed (my friend’s iPhone 3G had battery life that doubled mine) with my iPhone 3G that was less than one week old.

Soooo…off I go and to dial “611″ on my iPhone to climb the highest mountain known to mankind, what many call Rogers Customer Service. After waiting 20 minutes, I found out the hard way that there is a separate technical support line for the iPhone 3G. After speaking with the CSR about my battery woes, he tried to convince me that my usage was normal. I refused to let him coerce me into thinking that having my 20% remaining pop up around 3pm in the afternoon after light usage was “normal”.

When I told him that the standby time of the iPhone 3G was 300 hours, he responded with “I have never ever heard of that before. Where did you find that?” My response to him (with the iPhone 3G spec sheet in front of me) was “umm…it’s stated on the Apple website.” Let’s just say he wasn’t very pleased with me at that point! Anyways, he finally decided that my situation warranted an iPhone exchange. I was told I would receive a brand new 8GB iPhone in 2 days and that I’d have to mail back current iPhone. Standard procedure right? That is until…

…after a couple days, I got thinking. I realized the company I was dealing with was Rogers Wireless, home of the most inconsistent customer service reps ever (no offense to those that do a great job). So I decided to “follow up” on my iPhone exchange on last Friday. What I found out did not shock me–I was expecting it. Turns out the rep did not actually “process” the exchange, but only left notes. Luckily the current rep quickly rectified the situation and assured me I would receive a new iPhone in 2-5 business days.

I know what some of your are thinking right now. “Why bother returning your iPhone 3G? You should know that 3G drains your battery life!” Yes, I am aware of that. However, when I’ve paid $200 for the phone and signed on for a 3 year contract, I would like my iPhone to last the duration of the contract. No way would I let this slide considering how important battery life is! That being said, here are some tips I’ve used to help increase your iPhone 3G battery life, in no particular order…

How to Increase Your iPhone 3G Battery Life – the Extreme Edition

  • Turn on 3G only when you need it. I found that having 3G turned OFF saved battery life (duh!). Using EDGE actually isn’t that painful–just think of it as a mildly disfunctional WiFi hotspot!
  • Turn off Location Services.
  • Turn off Auto-Brightness. Manually move the slider to 25% or 33% brightness.
  • Turn off WiFi until you need a hotspot. The iPhone’s WiFi will automatically try connecting to SSIDs it detects.
  • Turn off Push. Change your Fetch schedule to Manually.
  • Set Auto-Lock to 1 minute.
  • Turn off Bluetooth.
  • Limit GPS use unless you really need it.
  • Do a monthly battery calibration. According to the Apple website, you should be doing this periodically. Give your iPhone a full charge, then let the battery run out. Recharge.
    • Usually with lithium-ion batteries this is not necessary as they maintain no “memory effect”…but it’s worth a shot.
  • Only use the iPhone 3G connected to an outlet. Find a 100ft extension cable and attach it to your USB cable. Attach USB cable to iPhone 3G. Let extension cable follow you around the house, knocking furniture, pets, and children over. Ignore wife/girlfriend’s complaints because–email, Twitter, and the iPhoneinCanada.ca forums call for your attention.

The bottom line is Apple needs to desperately release an update for 2.0 firmware. When previous updates were made, such as jumping from 1.0.2 to 1.1.1, battery life increased. Let’s hope a new firmware will help increase battery life by a bit.

On top of the abysmal battery life, I’m experiencing constant slowdowns when typing and just navigating around the phone. Throw in some Safari crashes here and there, and I’m about ready to shank someone (well, not that bad, but almost!). Want to save your battery from dying? Turn off 3G–’nuff said.

PS – Don’t forget to enter my FREE Griffin Wave case giveaway/contest!

**Looking for an iPhone 3G case? Go get an invisibleSHIELD, the strongest protection for your iPhone backed by a 30 day moneyback guarantee, lifetime replacement warranty, and FREE shipping! Use coupon code iphoneinca for 10% off your purchase! Order today!**

Founder and Editor-in-Chief of iPhoneinCanada.ca. Follow @iPhoneinCanada and on Google+. Click here to save 20% OFF at ZAGG.com with coupon 'iphoneinca'!

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  • Joker Eh

    My battery life is crap, I charged the phone to full this morning through USB until 7:30 AM, and with some light surfing (jsut to check AppStore to see if there were any new apps) and one phone call, I am down to about 50%.

    Now question, what would getting a new iPhone due, would I not expect the same? Any plus due to shortages for 16 GB, I could wait forever.

  • Joker Eh

    Can anyone confirm what t4rdif is saying? iPhone Fan, is this true have you tried it?

  • Joker Eh

    Can anyone confirm what t4rdif is saying? iPhone Fan, is this true have you tried it?

  • Joker Eh

    Can anyone confirm what t4rdif is saying? iPhone Fan, is this true have you tried it?

  • eason

    MAN! THAT STUPID ROGERS SALESMAN told me I CAN NOT turn off the 3G, so that I “NEED” the data plan, or else, if wifi drops, it’ll automatically go for 3G, then I’ll be charge for that!!! >< Can I sue him for lying to a costumer?

  • eason

    MAN! THAT STUPID ROGERS SALESMAN told me I CAN NOT turn off the 3G, so that I “NEED” the data plan, or else, if wifi drops, it’ll automatically go for 3G, then I’ll be charge for that!!! >< Can I sue him for lying to a costumer?

  • eason

    MAN! THAT STUPID ROGERS SALESMAN told me I CAN NOT turn off the 3G, so that I “NEED” the data plan, or else, if wifi drops, it’ll automatically go for 3G, then I’ll be charge for that!!! >< Can I sue him for lying to a costumer?

  • Dusty

    Only use the iPhone 3G connected to an outlet. Find a 100ft extension cable and attach it to your USB cable. Attach USB cable to iPhone 3G. Let extension cable follow you around the house, knocking furniture, pets, and children over. Ignore wife/girlfriend’s complaints because–email, Twitter, and the iPhoneinCanada.ca forums call for your attention.

    LMAO, I love that idea! :P

    Thanks for the tips, although I still have the 1G iPhone…. ;)

  • dmz

    Uh people… new batteries… calibration… try running it down completely and charging back up at least 3 times before getting excited. It may not solve YOUR problem but overall it will help many cases. Mine has increased from half day to 2 days with this method. (Oh yah that’s right, I’m the dumbass if its doesn’t work for you.)

    And if you’re a Rogers rep reading this, wait, what am I saying… do Rogers reps even know how to read.

  • dmz

    Uh people… new batteries… calibration… try running it down completely and charging back up at least 3 times before getting excited. It may not solve YOUR problem but overall it will help many cases. Mine has increased from half day to 2 days with this method. (Oh yah that’s right, I’m the dumbass if its doesn’t work for you.)

    And if you’re a Rogers rep reading this, wait, what am I saying… do Rogers reps even know how to read.

  • dmz

    Uh people… new batteries… calibration… try running it down completely and charging back up at least 3 times before getting excited. It may not solve YOUR problem but overall it will help many cases. Mine has increased from half day to 2 days with this method. (Oh yah that’s right, I’m the dumbass if its doesn’t work for you.)

    And if you’re a Rogers rep reading this, wait, what am I saying… do Rogers reps even know how to read.

  • Bud Colby

    Can someone translate what t4rdif was trying to say. Sounded interesting, but can’t understand the message.

  • Bud Colby

    Can someone translate what t4rdif was trying to say. Sounded interesting, but can’t understand the message.

  • Bud Colby

    Can someone translate what t4rdif was trying to say. Sounded interesting, but can’t understand the message.

  • Bud Colby

    That would be the second one

  • Bud Colby

    That would be the second one

  • Bud Colby

    That would be the second one

  • Andrew

    @bud he was saying that just restoring the phone will help battery life and the yellow tint but not the lagging. What I want to know is if it is true or not

  • Andrew

    @bud he was saying that just restoring the phone will help battery life and the yellow tint but not the lagging. What I want to know is if it is true or not

  • Andrew

    @bud he was saying that just restoring the phone will help battery life and the yellow tint but not the lagging. What I want to know is if it is true or not

  • Brian

    You guys haven’t upgraded to the new firmware yet?! I noticed some comments mentioned it. I had heard about it and didn’t really want to upgrade. But then the OTB firmware with an application (BoxOffice) hooped my GPS and I had to restore the device.

    After restore, the keyboard delay issues and most crashes were fixed. Except for the “Safari crash and reboot iPhone” issue, but that’s only happened once (damn TUAW :P ). Battery life seems alright for now.

    I can’t wait until v2.1 or v2.0.1 firmware to be released officially. Apparently restore is some sort of beta firmware. I dunno, I’m not sure why they aren’t pushing it to everyone. Meh.

    I LOVE ME iPHONE!

  • Brian

    You guys haven’t upgraded to the new firmware yet?! I noticed some comments mentioned it. I had heard about it and didn’t really want to upgrade. But then the OTB firmware with an application (BoxOffice) hooped my GPS and I had to restore the device.

    After restore, the keyboard delay issues and most crashes were fixed. Except for the “Safari crash and reboot iPhone” issue, but that’s only happened once (damn TUAW :P ). Battery life seems alright for now.

    I can’t wait until v2.1 or v2.0.1 firmware to be released officially. Apparently restore is some sort of beta firmware. I dunno, I’m not sure why they aren’t pushing it to everyone. Meh.

    I LOVE ME iPHONE!

  • Brian

    You guys haven’t upgraded to the new firmware yet?! I noticed some comments mentioned it. I had heard about it and didn’t really want to upgrade. But then the OTB firmware with an application (BoxOffice) hooped my GPS and I had to restore the device.

    After restore, the keyboard delay issues and most crashes were fixed. Except for the “Safari crash and reboot iPhone” issue, but that’s only happened once (damn TUAW :P ). Battery life seems alright for now.

    I can’t wait until v2.1 or v2.0.1 firmware to be released officially. Apparently restore is some sort of beta firmware. I dunno, I’m not sure why they aren’t pushing it to everyone. Meh.

    I LOVE ME iPHONE!

  • Bart
  • Bart
  • Bart
  • Chris

    My iPhone3G just died and as soon as I plugged in the charger, I checked the usage stats:
    Usage – 5:55, Standby – 1 day 13 hrs
    I had 3G turned on for most of the time, as well as WiFi. Auto-lock after 1 min. BT off, Location services on. Fetch new data hourly.
    Usage included surfing, email, some youtube and checking out couple new apps.
    How does it compare to your observations? Is it a good result?

  • Chris

    My iPhone3G just died and as soon as I plugged in the charger, I checked the usage stats:
    Usage – 5:55, Standby – 1 day 13 hrs
    I had 3G turned on for most of the time, as well as WiFi. Auto-lock after 1 min. BT off, Location services on. Fetch new data hourly.
    Usage included surfing, email, some youtube and checking out couple new apps.
    How does it compare to your observations? Is it a good result?

  • Stephen F

    I completed my fourth charge of my iPhone today since I bought it on launch day (although it was turned off for 36 hours while my BSE cured).

    I have under 5 hours of talk time and 56 mb total of data transferred (combined in+out). I’d estimate 25 hours of usage of the device.

    Do you guys think this is enough to warrant asking for an exchange? Tomorrow is the end of my 14-day return policy with Fido. Is it earier to go through the cell provider rather than Apple this early in the game?

  • Stephen F

    I completed my fourth charge of my iPhone today since I bought it on launch day (although it was turned off for 36 hours while my BSE cured).

    I have under 5 hours of talk time and 56 mb total of data transferred (combined in+out). I’d estimate 25 hours of usage of the device.

    Do you guys think this is enough to warrant asking for an exchange? Tomorrow is the end of my 14-day return policy with Fido. Is it earier to go through the cell provider rather than Apple this early in the game?

  • Stephen F

    I completed my fourth charge of my iPhone today since I bought it on launch day (although it was turned off for 36 hours while my BSE cured).

    I have under 5 hours of talk time and 56 mb total of data transferred (combined in+out). I’d estimate 25 hours of usage of the device.

    Do you guys think this is enough to warrant asking for an exchange? Tomorrow is the end of my 14-day return policy with Fido. Is it earier to go through the cell provider rather than Apple this early in the game?

  • Stephen F

    @dmz Lithium polymer batteries, like the one in the iPhone, do not require “priming”, like old NiCd and NiMH batteries used to. The battery should have access to it’s full capacity on its very first charge.

    However, a tip I did read today, was that, as you probably know, a lithium battery has a limited number of charge cycles. Faster charging produces more wear and tear on the battery than slower charging. So it’s recommended that, if possible, you charge your iPhone via usb attached to your computer, rather than to the wall socket. Doing this will presumably extend the life of the battery by decreasing the crystalization that limits battery life after many, many charge cycles.

    Also, the number one way to seriously damage your battery’s capacity is to leave it fully charged in a hot car. Word to the wise!

  • Stephen F

    @dmz Lithium polymer batteries, like the one in the iPhone, do not require “priming”, like old NiCd and NiMH batteries used to. The battery should have access to it’s full capacity on its very first charge.

    However, a tip I did read today, was that, as you probably know, a lithium battery has a limited number of charge cycles. Faster charging produces more wear and tear on the battery than slower charging. So it’s recommended that, if possible, you charge your iPhone via usb attached to your computer, rather than to the wall socket. Doing this will presumably extend the life of the battery by decreasing the crystalization that limits battery life after many, many charge cycles.

    Also, the number one way to seriously damage your battery’s capacity is to leave it fully charged in a hot car. Word to the wise!

  • Ryan

    Core Location isn’t really doing anything unless you go into an application that leverages it though right? So wouldn’t it make more sense to just use those applications sparingly rather than turn off the option and then keep going back and forth to switch it off and on?

  • Ryan

    Core Location isn’t really doing anything unless you go into an application that leverages it though right? So wouldn’t it make more sense to just use those applications sparingly rather than turn off the option and then keep going back and forth to switch it off and on?

  • alan

    yeh, I was wondering about the Core Location. So by turning it on, does it suck up batteries at all when not actually using it, like on google maps?

  • alan

    yeh, I was wondering about the Core Location. So by turning it on, does it suck up batteries at all when not actually using it, like on google maps?

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  • http://www.google.ca/ Mike

    So am i understanding Tim Aucoins Comment that you can charge your i phone via the screen

  • http://www.google.ca/ Mike

    So am i understanding Tim Aucoins Comment that you can charge your i phone via the screen

  • http://www.google.ca Mike

    So am i understanding Tim Aucoins Comment that you can charge your i phone via the screen

  • zilly

    How do u turn the 3g off???

  • zilly

    How do u turn the 3g off???

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  • dmz

    >Re: Stephen F said on July 24th, 2008 at 10:13 am
    >@dmz Lithium polymer batteries, like the one in the iPhone, do not require >“priming”, like old NiCd and NiMH batteries used to. The battery should have access >to it’s full capacity on its very first charge.

    The run-down then charge-up method isn’t for the battery. Its for the battery management chip attached to the battery to “learn” the characteristics of the individual battery. Standard practice for new batteries. Google for more…

  • RichieLassard

    Hey there,

    I don’t have any problems with the battery-life of my 3G iPhone. Maybe it’s the region i live in: The Netherlands. I surf a lot and use 3G all the time. Also very often connected to a bluetooth headset. No problems. All night charging, in the morning take the cord out. In the evening (like 21.00 p.m.) recharge again. Wich means the battery lives all day long. What i do experience, are a few Safari crashes. Sometimes it’s that bad, that i have to re-start my 3G iPhone completely.

    Well, this was all folks!

    Regards, Richie

  • RichieLassard

    Hey there,

    I don’t have any problems with the battery-life of my 3G iPhone. Maybe it’s the region i live in: The Netherlands. I surf a lot and use 3G all the time. Also very often connected to a bluetooth headset. No problems. All night charging, in the morning take the cord out. In the evening (like 21.00 p.m.) recharge again. Wich means the battery lives all day long. What i do experience, are a few Safari crashes. Sometimes it’s that bad, that i have to re-start my 3G iPhone completely.

    Well, this was all folks!

    Regards, Richie

  • RichieLassard

    Hey there,

    I donÂ’t have any problems with the battery-life of my 3G iPhone. Maybe itÂ’s the region i live in: The Netherlands. I surf a lot and use 3G all the time. Also very often connected to a bluetooth headset. No problems. All night charging, in the morning take the cord out. In the evening (like 21.00 p.m.) recharge again. Wich means the battery lives all day long. What i do experience, are a few Safari crashes. Sometimes itÂ’s that bad, that i have to re-start my 3G iPhone completely.

    Well, this was all folks!

    Regards, Richie

  • RichieLassard

    Hey there,

    I don’t have any problems with the battery-life of my 3G iPhone. Maybe it’s the region i live in: The Netherlands. I surf a lot and use 3G all the time. Also very often connected to a bluetooth headset. No problems. All night charging, in the morning take the cord out. In the evening (like 21.00 p.m.) recharge again. Wich means the battery lives all day long. What i do experience, are a few Safari crashes. Sometimes it’s that bad, that i have to re-start my 3G iPhone completely.

    Well, this was all folks!

    Regards, Richie

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