Battery life not lasting? Your fix is in here

[TBolt]

I'm really concerned that I may have a defective battery.

no, that sounds about right for this POS OEM battery.

 

[Hangul]

I tried this settings change and while I am getting more battery life (much more) I am also noticing that gtalk and gmail notifications are not coming through unless the phone is "awake" (I hit the power button) or it's within a minute or so of me waking the phone and leaving it idle.

If I leave it unattended for any longer than 5 minutes or so I receive no notifications from either app unless I wake the phone up. To me this is not acceptable because I actually use Google Talk more than SMS. I could let the lack of email notifications slide since I don't get exceedingly important emails to my personal account but again, the absence of GTalk notifications is a deal breaker. This is ridiculous.

Also, I noticed that with Droid, when checking what's been using the battery the Display is always at the top of the list. On my new Incredible, before making the change suggested in the OP it was Android System. At one point yesterday it'd used about 95% of the battery. After making the change it's pushed down to < 20 % (which is what I used to get on my Droid). VZW really, really needs to address this issue.

 

[howarmat]

when Enable always-on mobile data is disabled, I notice that the network connection gets disrupted after a minute or so while the phone's display is off. I like to listen to online streaming radio and it stops playing unless always on mobile data is enabled.

this is my experience too today since i have been using the 3G and not WIFI for the majority of today. I am enabling it again to see what happens

 

[howarmat]

I tried this settings change and while I am getting more battery life (much more) I am also noticing that gtalk and gmail notifications are not coming through unless the phone is "awake" (I hit the power button) or it's within a minute or so of me waking the phone and leaving it idle.

If I leave it unattended for any longer than 5 minutes or so I receive no notifications from either app unless I wake the phone up. To me this is not acceptable because I actually use Google Talk more than SMS. I could let the lack of email notifications slide since I don't get exceedingly important emails to my personal account but again, the absence of GTalk notifications is a deal breaker. This is ridiculous.

Also, I noticed that with Droid, when checking what's been using the battery the Display is always at the top of the list. On my new Incredible, before making the change suggested in the OP it was Android System. At one point yesterday it'd used about 95% of the battery. After making the change it's pushed down to < 20 % (which is what I used to get on my Droid). VZW really, really needs to address this issue.

i think "android system" is number 1 because of the sense UI

 

[mobilemedic20]

Just want to echo that problem - with the "Always On" feature UNchecked, I was NOT getting push Gmail unless I woke up the phone, or for a minute or two thereafter (not sure about Gtalk). That was enough for me to turn it back on (oh and no noticeable improvement in battery for me).

I need my push e-mail above all. This battery just plain sucks, and/or the phone is doing something it shouldn't that's causing it to be overactive all the time. Also seems like the phone is consistently warm, which I'm betting has something to do with it.

 

[m109rider]

I tried this settings change and while I am getting more battery life (much more) I am also noticing that gtalk and gmail notifications are not coming through unless the phone is "awake" (I hit the power button) or it's within a minute or so of me waking the phone and leaving it idle.

If I leave it unattended for any longer than 5 minutes or so I receive no notifications from either app unless I wake the phone up. To me this is not acceptable because I actually use Google Talk more than SMS. I could let the lack of email notifications slide since I don't get exceedingly important emails to my personal account but again, the absence of GTalk notifications is a deal breaker. This is ridiculous.

Also, I noticed that with Droid, when checking what's been using the battery the Display is always at the top of the list. On my new Incredible, before making the change suggested in the OP it was Android System. At one point yesterday it'd used about 95% of the battery. After making the change it's pushed down to < 20 % (which is what I used to get on my Droid). VZW really, really needs to address this issue.

I have turned off the "always on" and my phone has been going a little over 9hrs, I have talked quite a bit, text 4 or 5 times surfed the web, emails. Battery is at 47% and the battery usage has the "andriod system" at 92%

 

[TBolt]

Finally . . .

We found a power source worthy of the HTC Incredible...

 

[ZipKicker]

with that option unchecked, i had problems with slacker and pandora, when i woke up the phone it would say searching for network on the widget for both of those apps

 

[Sere81]

This is ridiculous. I unchecked it as well and it would push gmail or gtalk.

 

[bubbabeatz]

my battery has been a little better today it says its been on for 11 hours and 5 minutes the awake time is just over 3 and im at 14 percent

 

[threepio]

6 Hours 1 minute and 21 seconds since unplugged this morning and chaning the "always on" option. I have been getting all my emails and texts and what not perfectly no difference.

52% battery remaining.

Ive sent quite a few texts today, several emails, talked to my mom for 15-20 minutes. and some other short phone calls.

At this rate i expect the phone to last another 6 hours or so.

giving me about 12 hours of up time. not bad, in my opinion. But i could get my blackberry curve to last almost 2 days before i needed to charge it....But thats comparing apples and oranges.

 

[sum spicy rice]

hrmmm it's now 8:30PM.. took my phone off the charger at 5:45AM. I have yet to charge it. I've been listening to music on pandora for the past 30 minutes.. talked on the phone for about 30 minutes today. have sent/received about 20 text messages.. had Gtalk on all day.. updated weather about 3 times.. surfed facebook lightly.. and searched for 2 apps in the market.

Settings:
enable always on - OFF
WiFi - OFF (except at my house it's on and connected)
brightness is 25%
weather i have it set to automatically update every 6 hours
facebook is not set to automatically update
gmail/exchange automatically pushes email
ringer was off most of the day while at work.. phone was sent on silent

Current battery = 41%

Right now I'm TRYING to drain my battery before I go to bed so I can charge it up again all night. Playing Pandora, on AIM/Gmail, trying to look for Apps, trying to find webpages to surf.. it seems likethe battery is getting better.. just falls fast at the beginning but does better after it gets past 80%

 

[TBolt]

hrmmm it's now 8:30PM.. took my phone off the charger at 5:45AM. I have yet to charge it. I've been listening to music on pandora for the past 30 minutes.. talked on the phone for about 30 minutes today. have sent/received about 20 text messages.. had Gtalk on all day.. updated weather about 3 times.. surfed facebook lightly.. and searched for 2 apps in the market.

Settings:
enable always on - OFF
WiFi - OFF (except at my house it's on and connected)
brightness is 25%
weather i have it set to automatically update every 6 hours
facebook is not set to automatically update
gmail/exchange automatically pushes email
ringer was off most of the day while at work.. phone was sent on silent

Current battery = 41%

Right now I'm TRYING to drain my battery before I go to bed so I can charge it up again all night. Playing Pandora, on AIM/Gmail, trying to look for Apps, trying to find webpages to surf.. it seems likethe battery is getting better.. just falls fast at the beginning but does better after it gets past 80%

before you go to bed tonight, how about switching the 'always on' option back to active/checked state? if you have a similar day of use, let's see if the battery is worse off.

if you're willing to, i mean. would be interesting to see...

 

[Execute]

To me, the battery life on my Incredible seems to be on par with other Android phones I've used. The battery is never going to last as you want. With all the great things these phones can do, it comes at the cost of battery power. I can't say that I'm shocked at the battery life of my Incredible. It seems normal to me. And by normal, I mean low. IMO you have to get used to it if you want to use an Android phone. Or any smartphone really. If you're gonna drop some coin on the latest and greatest of smartphones, spend a few bucks and buy an extra battery, or at least a charger to bring with you.

And yes, while I think its a good idea to experiment around with settings and apps to help optimize battery life for how YOU use YOUR device, it should be noted that it may have effects on other areas as well. "Always On" mobile network is more than checking a "More Battery Life For Free" box. It's gonna effect more than just battery life.

I use my phone all day, everyday for the most part. When the battery gets low, I charge it with a wall charger, on a computer, with a car charger, or throw a spare battery on.

Im not directing this towards you Android/smartphone enthusiasts like me, but rather to all people complaining how "this is unacceptable" "ridiculous" "Verizon/htc/Google/ better address this now" etc etc.

 

[Cory Streater]

To me, the battery life on my Incredible seems to be on par with other Android phones I've used. The battery is never going to last as you want. With all the great things these phones can do, it comes at the cost of battery power. I can't say that I'm shocked at the battery life of my Incredible. It seems normal to me. And by normal, I mean low. IMO you have to get used to it if you want to use an Android phone. Or any smartphone really. If you're gonna drop some coin on the latest and greatest of smartphones, spend a few bucks and buy an extra battery, or at least a charger to bring with you.

And yes, while I think its a good idea to experiment around with settings and apps to help optimize battery life for how YOU use YOUR device, it should be noted that it may have effects on other areas as well. "Always On" mobile network is more than checking a "More Battery Life For Free" box. It's gonna effect more than just battery life.

I use my phone all day, everyday for the most part. When the battery gets low, I charge it with a wall charger, on a computer, with a car charger, or throw a spare battery on.

Im not directing this towards you Android/smartphone enthusiasts like me, but rather to all people complaining how "this is unacceptable" "ridiculous" "Verizon/htc/Google/ better address this now" etc etc.

Well stated. In order to have given us better battery life, they would have either had to make the phone thicker, under clocked the processor, strip out functionality, or reduced the price. We just can't have it all and expect to have stellar battery life, when battery technology hasn't evolved as quickly as these devices have. This phone is performing exactly how I would expect it would.

 

[Execute]

Well stated. In order to have given us better battery life, they would have either had to make the phone thicker, under clocked the processor, strip out functionality, or reduced the price. We just can't have it all and expect to have stellar battery life, when battery technology hasn't evolved as quickly as these devices have. This phone is performing exactly how I would expect it would.

Also good points. Manufacturers are constantly struggling to find a good balance of form and function. If they packed a double size heavy duty extra long lasting battery in there, people would complain at how big there phone was. I absolutely love my Incredible, just as it is. I think htc, Google, and Verizon hit a home run with this one. Also, I know everyone with the Incredible is within the "30 day" period. If you dislike it that much, get something else.

 

[mobilemedic20]

To me, the battery life on my Incredible seems to be on par with other Android phones I've used. The battery is never going to last as you want. With all the great things these phones can do, it comes at the cost of battery power. I can't say that I'm shocked at the battery life of my Incredible. It seems normal to me. And by normal, I mean low. IMO you have to get used to it if you want to use an Android phone. Or any smartphone really. If you're gonna drop some coin on the latest and greatest of smartphones, spend a few bucks and buy an extra battery, or at least a charger to bring with you.

And yes, while I think its a good idea to experiment around with settings and apps to help optimize battery life for how YOU use YOUR device, it should be noted that it may have effects on other areas as well. "Always On" mobile network is more than checking a "More Battery Life For Free" box. It's gonna effect more than just battery life.

I use my phone all day, everyday for the most part. When the battery gets low, I charge it with a wall charger, on a computer, with a car charger, or throw a spare battery on.

Im not directing this towards you Android/smartphone enthusiasts like me, but rather to all people complaining how "this is unacceptable" "ridiculous" "Verizon/htc/Google/ better address this now" etc etc.

I patently disagree with you, and I think you make a strong point, however I have done a lot of research and I genuinely think there's a bad bunch of batteries that have been distributed with these phones. The user experience seems to vary quite widely.

The only way I can compare my experience with others is by using my phone at the bare minimum that is still functional (i.e., no widgets, location services off, wifi, BT, GPS, etc. disabled, only thing running is Gmail) and see what happens. For the record, I tried the "uncheck always on" method, and it turns off push gmail (I confirmed this twice), and that's a dealbreaker for me. Need that push email.

Today - 5-6 hours this morning. Recharged back up to 73% at 1800hrs, and at 2200hrs the phone is completely dead. Zero phone calls, a few e-mails, mostly the phone sat in my car while I was in the gym or eating dinner. That is *Completely* unacceptable, and that's not based on a variation of user experience, that's doing the bare minimum of what this phone is supposed to do on a regular basis.

And for the comparison to other Droid phones... I demo'd the Droid for a month before getting the incredible, and I had no problems with the Droid's battery life. Not terrific, but it got me through an entire day with ease, and moderate use (WAY more than what I'm doing now). Again, something isn't right with the technology here.

I installed Advanced Task Killer, set it to kill apps on an hourly basis. Nothing was open that was using any data. I did this because the Verizon tech support woman told me to, and wouldn't take my issue any further until I had tried that method. Assuming this doesn't work, I'm going to call back tomorrow or the next day and request that a replacement battery be sent to me.

 

[Execute]

I patently disagree with you, and I think you make a strong point, however I have done a lot of research and I genuinely think there's a bad bunch of batteries that have been distributed with these phones. The user experience seems to vary quite widely.

The only way I can compare my experience with others is by using my phone at the bare minimum that is still functional (i.e., no widgets, location services off, wifi, BT, GPS, etc. disabled, only thing running is Gmail) and see what happens. For the record, I tried the "uncheck always on" method, and it turns off push gmail (I confirmed this twice), and that's a dealbreaker for me. Need that push email.

Today - 5-6 hours this morning. Recharged back up to 73% at 1800hrs, and at 2200hrs the phone is completely dead. Zero phone calls, a few e-mails, mostly the phone sat in my car while I was in the gym or eating dinner. That is *Completely* unacceptable, and that's not based on a variation of user experience, that's doing the bare minimum of what this phone is supposed to do on a regular basis.

And for the comparison to other Droid phones... I demo'd the Droid for a month before getting the incredible, and I had no problems with the Droid's battery life. Not terrific, but it got me through an entire day with ease, and moderate use (WAY more than what I'm doing now). Again, something isn't right with the technology here.

I installed Advanced Task Killer, set it to kill apps on an hourly basis. Nothing was open that was using any data. I did this because the Verizon tech support woman told me to, and wouldn't take my issue any further until I had tried that method. Assuming this doesn't work, I'm going to call back tomorrow or the next day and request that a replacement battery be sent to me.

Also good points! As for bad batteries, thats a different story completely and it does happen. If I had any doubt, I'd bring it in and have it checked. As far as comparing it to the Droid, doesn't it have a larger capacity battery? I'm not sure there, just sounds familiar. They also run different hardware, software, and have different capabilites. Hard to compare battery life. I just meant Andriod phones in general. Hell, even smartphones. With all they can do, battery is gonna be an issue.

Interesting on VZW lady telling you to use a task killer. I know there is a lot of debate on that, and I'm not too concerned with all the arguments, I just do what works for me. I used to have an Eris, and killing tasks helped with that. As my Incredible has much more memory and a much better processor, I haven't even thought about getting a task killer. I'm not ruling it out tho. But I'm off my topic lol. The VZW rep. Brought that up because I'm currently in the process of trying to get both Google and htc's "official(ish) take on the whole "Android/Linux-memory allotment-task killer app-or not" debate. Basically out of curiosity. Intrested to see what they have to say.

 

[danswartz]

Hmmm, well I have had mine since Friday evening. Gone through 2 complete power loss and 100% recharge cycles. Today, I used it for almost nothing, and it ran out of power around 4:30PM (took off charger around 9AM). I will see how it changes (if at all) over the next few days.

 

[Execute]

I don't ever power cycle my battery either. Tho I basically did with the Incredible just by coincidence. I never fully charge it before using it either! Not nearly enough will power to get a new gadget and then not use it right away lol. Tho I do put it on the charger right away and use/charge it to full for the first time. Not really sure if that is what they mean when they say to completely charge before use.