Screen Draining Battery, how can I stop this?

[AC Question]

Screen Draining Battery

My screen is currently between 50-60% usage of my battery- this is after having reduced the brightness and timeouts to the lowest setting, and it's staying like this even when I'm not using the phone- I know this because I haven't used my phone all afternoon and yet somehow it's getting to 60% battery left (and it's not even the end of the afternoon either).

While this might be normal for some of you, this is NOT normal for me. My screen usually sits at around 20-30% of battery usage, and when I go through a whole day at home and not having used the phone, it'll be on 70+ % battery left. Please don't comment saying this is normal behaviour because this has never occurred with my phone before.

My phone is a Samsung Galaxy S3 mini (GT-I8190T), running Android 4.1.2

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Screen Draining Battery

Welcome to Android Central! Charge up to 100%, then let it drain to 20-30% with normal usage, without charging in between. Then show us:

1. The main Settings>Battery screen.
2. The fullscreen battery graph screen (which shows Awake time and Cell Signal Strength).
3. The Screen category (to see total Screen On time).
4. The Cell Standby category, if present (to see Time Without Signal).

http://forums.androidcentral.com/am...ide-how-post-screenshots-android-central.html

 

[ac-anon]

Re: Screen Draining Battery

Done as requested. The battery drained again with minimal use, though when I went to take screenshots, it was the voice calls that was taking up nearly 50% of the battery, despite my last call having been 5-6 hours ago. My usage the entire day was the shown 3 phone calls and a few text messages- no other apps were used or opened. Take note as well the battery % dropping compared to the time in the screenshots- it's dropping at around 1% per min when it's on, and slightly slower than that when not in use but still much faster than normal.

(Apologies in advanced that the images all display in the post- I tried to link them out instead but I can't post links till I get 10 posts...)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Timestamp proof of last calls (compare this to the Battery screen screenshot that has the time I took it in the top right-hand corner):

6. Voice Calls screen:

 

[Tech-Newb]

Re: Screen Draining Battery

It looks like making calls really drain your battery! Try buying a new battery if you feel that your battery is degrading over time.

Posted with ❤Love❤

 

[ac-anon]

Re: Screen Draining Battery

I considered getting a new battery, but the battery drain isn't consistent. Some days it lasts fine and then occasionally I get moments like these where the battery drains without barely doing anything or in the case of the other day when I made the original post, doing nothing! If the battery was old or damaged in some way, the battery drain should be consistent from now on.

 

[ac-anon]

Re: Screen Draining Battery

Things took a turn for the worst this morning- I unplugged my phone and had it sitting on the desk next to me for just an hour and the entire battery drained, from 100% to 20%. This while it's in Power Saving mode too. This time, "Android OS" was at the top of the list in 40-something% usage.

I really need help with this issue please!!

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Screen Draining Battery

I can't identify any particular culprit in those stats. 1 hr of voice calls shouldn't cause the battery to drop like that.

A failing or defective battery might give that kind of inconsistency, so it may be worth testing a new or different battery.

Another thing to try is to recalibrate the battery sensor software. Charge to 100%, then use it normally until it shuts down automatically from low battery. Then charge back to 100%, and repeat this cycle 3 times.

 

[EdwardSmith36]

Re: Screen Draining Battery

Though it lasts fine some days, just throw that battery and buy a new one for permanent solution.

 

[ac-anon]

I can't identify any particular culprit in those stats. 1 hr of voice calls shouldn't cause the battery to drop like that.

A failing or defective battery might give that kind of inconsistency, so it may be worth testing a new or different battery.

Another thing to try is to recalibrate the battery sensor software. Charge to 100%, then use it normally until it shuts down automatically from low battery. Then charge back to 100%, and repeat this cycle 3 times.

I had no idea that the battery sensor needing re-calibration every so often, it seems to have fixed the problem. Thanks very much

 

[Rukbat]

Your mobile network signal (bottom of the second picture) is a bit flaky. If it gets any more brown (or yellow or red), it costs a lot of battery. Evidently your carrier doesn't have a solid signal where you need it.

As far as the percentages you see for each item, that's not the total amount of battery drained, that's the percentage of the total amount. So if your battery is down to 30%, and Android OS is using 20%, that's 20% of 70% or 14% of the battery. Your numbers do look pretty normal, though, for the age of an S3, but there's something to consider. If you regularly drain the battery lower than 40%, it may be time for a new one. (They're cheap - I prefer Anker to Samsung, but either one is good - look on Amazon - you won't make the $20 free shipping limit with 2 batteries and a charger.) Try to keep the battery at 40% or more (which is why carrying a spare battery is a good idea, if 60% of the battery won't get you through the day. And Anker normally has 2 batteries and a charger for about the price of 2 batteries.)

 

[bobfaw]

Re: Screen Draining Battery

I am surprised that using a nickel-based battery calibration algorithm worked with a lithium-based battery. Three or four deep- discharge charging cycles is what you need to shape nickel-based batteries such as nicad and nickel metal hydride.

However, lithium-based batteries do not take shape, and in fact their working life is greatly degraded if they are ever allowed to discharge much below the 20% level. It is always best to have a spare battery and swap them out while battery life is still above 20%.

Cycling them like you would a nickel battery is pretty much the worst thing you could ever do to a lithium ion battery.

It only takes a few times of letting a lithium battery run low to radically shorten its life cycle. The older the battery, the worst effect this has on it.

And while we're on the subject, always charge your new batteries at least 6 hours for lithium and 12 hours for nickel (in either a wall charger or in the cell phone with the power off) be forever power in your cell phone on with a new battery in it. This greatly extends the useful life of a lithium battery. Don't stop when the charging light turns blue or green, they will continue to top off for several hours, and that is what establishes the full range of the battery.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[12345677]

Re: Screen Draining Battery

should i charge it while it is powered off or should i turn it on then charge it...