Galaxy Note 4 Verizon - HORRIBLE BATTERY LIFE

[Alexander Burnside]

After what I've learned about lithium-ion batteries, I don't let my battery run down if I can help it. I plug it in while I'm driving, all day at work, and as soon as I get home. The only exception is when I'm out and about, and I can usually get a full day out of the battery, but I have "power-save" turned on.

The less you can discharge and recharge your battery, the longer it will last.

That sounds like a huge pain. What are the returns we're talking about? I mean, the note 4 has a removable battery, so is there really a major benefit to trying to extend it's life a little longer in return for the inconvenience of always charging it? If the battery dies, it's not a huge expense to replace it.

Edit: LaTuFu's comment came as I was typing my post. With that, it definitely sounds like a waste of effort.

 

[sstephen17]

I have a Verizon Note 4. My previous phone was a Verizon GS4. My Note 4 gives me much longer battery life, which is remarkable for a few reasons:

1. I used Samsung's Power Saving Mode on my GS4. I did not enable it on my Note 4.
2. I left location services off on my GS4 except when I needed it for specific apps at a specific time (navigation, checking in with Facebook, etc.). On my Note 4, location services (the power saving option) is ALWAYS on.
3. I estimate that I use my Note 4 at least 25% more daily than I did my GS4.

On a typical work day, my GS4 was at approximately 15 - 25% remaining battery life before going to bed (I use it from about 7AM - 11PM). On days where I find myself texting a lot or making phone calls, it is not uncommon for the battery to be under 10% by bedtime.

After almost a week with my Note 4, I have not fallen below 40% after a full day of use. Checking battery statistics, I still have about 50% after 16 hours on battery. I'll try to post a screenshot later; I'm only at 6.5 hours on battery today.

I use two battery saving apps so to speak. The first is Snapdragon Battery Guru. The second is Tasker where I have a profile that turns on WiFi and silent mode at work, disables WiFi for my commute home (I take the train), then turns on WiFi and sound when I get home.

For settings that I adjusted to save battery:

1. Screen brightness at ~40%. At 50% it is a little too bright for me.
2. Screen timeout after 15 seconds of inactivity.
3. Location - mode is power saving
4. Mobile networks - preferred network mode is LTE/CDMA (default was global)

As impressive as the display is (and it is awesome), I am most surprised by the battery life I'm getting. I was hoping for at least as much battery life as my GS4, considering the Note 4 had a bigger and brighter display. I never thought I'd get significantly better battery life.

 

[LaTuFu]

I have a Verizon Note 4. My previous phone was a Verizon GS4. My Note 4 gives me much longer battery life, which is remarkable for a few reasons...

Your battery life, usage, and other stuff with your S4 and N4 closely mirror my own experiences all the way around. Although I don't use tasker or snapdragon.

 

[ansa82]

Camera was a big selling point for me too, I've taken a few shots and they turned out incredibly. Also I was really impressed with the 50% charge in 30 minutes, which works out great when I lose 10% per hour. Really Really contemplating listing this on ebay, collecting 600+ dollars for it and then buying a One Plus for $350 and cashing in.

Has anyone with Verizon received that firmware update?

I don't believe we're expecting an update from Verizon. At least not anything that I've heard of. One of the other carriers had an update but that doesn't necessarily mean it's something the Verizon version needs. Someone suggested to me that i should disable the battery % on the notification bar. I did that and it's made a nice difference. Though you may end up needing to swap phones or try a new battery, try a few battery saving tips first.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Dankees]

Mine is giving me great battery life.

 

[E Murray]

Gsam battery app is what I use.

Charging from a pc's USB outlet is not a good source of power. Use the supplied fast charger, or another AC charger. USB ports are notoriously slow charging. I'd agree and say your radio is searching for a signal too often, draining battery life. Return/exchange at Verizon. Good luck.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[E Murray]

That is a lot of work for me to do that ... I simply just use my battery .. when it runs slow I swap between my spare and keep going. I don't want to be tied down .

Agreed. Spare batteries are pretty cheap and very easy to swap. With this new fast charger, I go fro. 5% to 50% in no time, so half the tine no swap is needed. I use my batteries and don't waste any time worrying about it.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[hdhuntr]

Just checked charging current on my PC usb. 786ma is not notorious and it was still rising. It's just not real fast. It's about the same as my wireless setup.

OP, you might look for a post I put in one of the other many 'horrible battery' threads. There could be many reasons. Mine was fantastic until I tried Words with Friends for my daughter. Then it was bad. Then I found the fix and it is fine again.

I really doubt that the proper solution is returning the phone. Returning a phone is quite a PIA and to have it suggested as often as it is in this thread, let alone in others, just doesn't make sense.

I don't know what the engineering standard is but it has to be a tiny percentage of actual swap-worthy problems. They all work when they leave the factory. Everything is tested. There are SO many apps and combinations of them now that it just about has to be something that was done to the phone and not the phone itself.

An example might be Note 3s after KitKat. The phones weren't broke but they didn't work right (battery, signal issues). You CAN take your phone back to Verizon. Set it up exactly the same and I'd bet you have the same problem...I didn't intend a rant here. Just reached my limit of "take it back's for the morning.

Gsam battery app is what I use.

Charging from a pc's USB outlet is not a good source of power. Use the supplied fast charger, or another AC charger. USB ports are notoriously slow charging. I'd agree and say your radio is searching for a signal too often, draining battery life. Return/exchange at Verizon. Good luck.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[sstephen17]

Battery stats after a typical day of use.

 

[ClintRo]

Camera was a big selling point for me too, I've taken a few shots and they turned out incredibly. Also I was really impressed with the 50% charge in 30 minutes, which works out great when I lose 10% per hour. Really Really contemplating listing this on ebay, collecting 600+ dollars for it and then buying a One Plus for $350 and cashing in.

Has anyone with Verizon received that firmware update?

Just an FYI the One Plus will not work on Verizon. Try the Droid Turbo if you want a huge battery but the Note 4 should be getting better battery life. If I were you I would give it a few days.

 

[scribe4food]

My battery life is pretty much the same as my Note 3, neither good nor bad - which in the greater scheme of things can be considered as a bad thing. I've been through several cycles of draining the battery, since I got Da Machine. However, I get 7 1/2 to 8 hrs of battery life . And I do all the needed adjustments for power consumption, before people suggest the obvious fixes.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[dpham00]

What SOT?

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 4

 

[kanesmith41]

Sprint Galaxy Note 4

USMC97

 

[hdhuntr]

Here are the other three battery threads FYI...


http://forums.androidcentral.com/sa...attery-life-horrible-awesome.html#post4028644

http://forums.androidcentral.com/sa...y-battery-life-my-note-4-low.html#post4028526

http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-note-4/456284-screen-time-battery.html

 

[Alexander Burnside]

My battery life is pretty much the same as my Note 3, neither good nor bad - which in the greater scheme of things can be considered as a bad thing. I've been through several cycles of draining the battery, since I got Da Machine. However, I get 7 1/2 to 8 hrs of battery life . And I do all the needed adjustments for power consumption, before people suggest the obvious fixes.

Posted via the Android Central App

What is your screen-on time? Since you're saying you always tend to get poor battery life, it could be to do with how you're using the phone. If you tap on "Screen", you can get some more detailed usage stats. You can get even more by tapping on the battery life graph. Screenshots of those things would make it easier to try and help you.

 

[Chad Weller]

I was having the same problem. My battery would fall 10% before I even got to work. Last night I did a factory reset and the battery has been great today. I'm thinking the battery patch that Samsung released might not have gone smoothly for the OTA, so I know it's a pain but a factory reset might solve your issues.

 

[BlakeSwineford]

UPDATE: I went to Verizon and returned the phone and got a new one....It was getting worse by the day after 3 hours off charger at 5% or less brightness I was at 75% battery....even the guy at Verizon was like what is wrong with this thing. Had the new phone for 2 days and it's a lot better....still not getting like the one guy had with 60% battery after 11 hours, that is insane I think something is wrong with your phone to be that good.

Yesterday as a test I ran it with 100% brightness and it performed well today I ran it with power saving mode the entire time it was unplugged (didn't lower brightness or turn off LED just the CPU performance). Here are the screenshots. Tomorrow I plan to run it normal on around 40% brightness without power saving and see how it holds up....it still seems weaker than my iPhone 5s was with about the same ammount of use. I remember days where I would unplug at 6am forget to charge my iPhone wake up the next day and be at 30%. I don't think that is possible with my experience on this phone. Still contemplating getting a One Plus One and throwing this guy on Ebay. Really the only things keeping me on the Note right now are the S pen, and the Gear S releasing tomorrow.

Screenshots of my performance today with battery saving on and about 40-50% brightness.

 

[BlakeSwineford]

This is literally blowing my mind, why can't my phone do that

This is what I got after 11 hours of use. I work the grave yard shift. I used my phone a lot last night. My battery life is pretty good. Verizon GNote4.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/04/33ce04c2c38d8d14999cdc9b403ad550.jpg

Sent from my GNote4 using Tapatalk!

 

[BlakeSwineford]

Just googled this....had no idea some carries didn't work with the OPO

Just an FYI the One Plus will not work on Verizon. Try the Droid Turbo if you want a huge battery but the Note 4 should be getting better battery life. If I were you I would give it a few days.

 

[BlakeSwineford]

HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE????????????

I don't think with either of the two phones I have with everything turned off, location GPS wifi that it would run for more than 24 hours let alone 48+..... How you were on 1D 22H on 30% battery blows my mind

Sprint Galaxy Note 4

USMC97