Tab S 8.4 LTE battery drains extremely fast and erratically

[Nilesh Krishnakumar]

I had the same issue on my brand new Galaxy Tab S LTE version with Exynos chip. I was like WTF on the battery because the moment i disconnect it from the charger it would soon drop to about 85% in 5 minutes. Then the dropping continuous in huge leaps like from 70% down to 30% while i'm just browsing the web. Then when it came down to 5% it would turn off. The moment i plug in the charger while the device is off the battery level would start at 40%. It was erratic for 2 weeks. Good news is i was able to resolve this without doing factory resets.

What i did was the moment the battery came down to like 5% i completely turn off the tab and turn it on , the tab reported a higher battery level like 45% then i continued using and until it drops again to a lower level like 3%. I power cycled the tab again and it reported battery level at around 24%. I used it again until battery level went to 3% and rebooted it, then it reported 12%.. used it again until the device really wont boot anymore. Then i used a slow charger. I used the 1A usb charger from my other phone (while off) and waited until 100% full. Then things became normal.. it reports battery level fine after. I also installed Clean Master and disabled some background apps and Samsung bloatware that i really dont use. Everything is ok now and im happy with my Tab S 8.4... hope this helps for those who got their device over the holidays. I resumed using the 2.1A default charger and issue doesnt seem to repeat anymore.

Im actually about to try this
but how long should i do this for?
Should i always use a slow charger or should i use it for a while and then go back to my 2 amp charger?

 

[FF22]

I had the same issue on my brand new Galaxy Tab S LTE version with Exynos chip. I was like WTF on the battery because the moment i disconnect it from the charger it would soon drop to about 85% in 5 minutes. Then the dropping continuous in huge leaps like from 70% down to 30% while i'm just browsing the web. Then when it came down to 5% it would turn off. The moment i plug in the charger while the device is off the battery level would start at 40%. It was erratic for 2 weeks. Good news is i was able to resolve this without doing factory resets.

What i did was the moment the battery came down to like 5% i completely turn off the tab and turn it on , the tab reported a higher battery level like 45% then i continued using and until it drops again to a lower level like 3%. I power cycled the tab again and it reported battery level at around 24%. I used it again until battery level went to 3% and rebooted it, then it reported 12%.. used it again until the device really wont boot anymore. Then i used a slow charger. I used the 1A usb charger from my other phone (while off) and waited until 100% full. Then things became normal.. it reports battery level fine after. I also installed Clean Master and disabled some background apps and Samsung bloatware that i really dont use. Everything is ok now and im happy with my Tab S 8.4... hope this helps for those who got their device over the holidays. I resumed using the 2.1A default charger and issue doesnt seem to repeat anymore.

Can I ask which version of Clean Master? I see a few different apps with that name. Who is the developer? Thanks in advance.

 

[spydre]

One additional thing is don't play with the device much or at all while charging. As you use power and attempt to charge the battery gets short cycled and over time this can degrade the battery resulting in quick discharging. Looking at your usage level it seems to be discharging gradually without many spikes or dips, it's just doing this over a short period of time.

Is it okay if I read using my Nook app while I'm charging? That's usually the only thing I do with my tablet when it's charging, and so far, it hasn't affected the battery life yet, that I know of (again, that's with my Nexus, my Galaxy S 8.4 is coming on Wednesday). I know when I'm charging my cell phone, for the most part it shouldn't be used - if the back (battery area) gets hot, that's bad.

 

[VidJunky]

If you haven't seen a decline in life then you're lucky. Personally I always try to keep it to a minimum based on past experiences. Just me...

Posted via Android Central App

 

[CaptainCrapnuts]

I wouldn't waste your time with all these apps and "slow charges", I did and none of that worked, just a waste of time trying to fix a defective battery. Just take it to an authorized warranty repair center with your receipt, they'll fix it in 1 to 2 days. It's quicker and less headache than all these other "fixes" and the only one guaranteed to work

 

[CaptainCrapnuts]

And btw I had the same issues you're talking about, extremely fast and erratic battery drain, jumping 20+% instantly

 

[spydre]

If you haven't seen a decline in life then you're lucky. Personally I always try to keep it to a minimum based on past experiences. Just me...

Posted via Android Central App

Well, my current Nexus is being replaced by an S 8.4 as soon as it comes in the mail either today or tomorrow. I'll be using the Nexus for a few more days just for the Nook app, since I'm in the middle of a book, but other than that, everything else will be happening on the new tablet - and my entire e-book library is being transferred over. I just don't want to have to stop reading the book long enough to get all the books transferred over after it charges - the book is that good (to me, at least). My other apps will start being used on the Galaxy tablet as soon as it's fully charged.

 

[nonnasmyladie]

Regret to hear about your predicament mate. 4-5 hours is awful long charging time & your battery level drop certainly doesn't seem normal. Since it's still under warranty, try to get a replacement & see how the new unit goes. The current one could be a lemon unit.

Posted via Tab S 8.4

4 hours to charge actually sounds right. Getting a replacement won't help you. I have had several this device just sucks. I usually get 1 to 2 hours of use per charge and it takes at least 4 hours to get from dead to 100%

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Attila Balaton]

Guys, I inally find out whats the problem is. Suprising but NOT the charger, the CABLE! I bout another tab and used the new charger and cable for both of my tabs. Than I used my old cable with my new main charger on my NEW tab and it jumped to 100%! It happened after one month of using it like that. Or maybe less, I used both cable so I'm ot sure but it didn't happened immediately. E cableis the last thing you would think about so if samsung made this on purpose I'm really disappointed! I have galaxy tab 2 7.0 By the way but the problem was the same

 

[spydre]

That's not actually all that surprising to me. I've had a few USB cables go bad. My Nexus 7 cable went bad within a couple of months, same with the cable for the external charger for my cell phone. The weak points are just past the reinforcement where you plug the cable into the device and into the charger. If it gets situated at the wrong angle for too long, the wires break.

 

[wtoh]

My issue is, after full charge, when the device is turn on it is always 99%, never 100%. When playing game, it will drain very fast within an hour. Then it will shut down. But when i switch it back on, it will show there is still 20-50% battery left.

If you suspect yours has similar problem, check the Battery Usage graph, you will see abnormalities.

I brought it to Samsung SC and they replaced battery and charging bracket. The issue is fixed, but the draining is still fast.

Thinking of selling it now. My note 2 n 10.1 (2012) still in good shape. Perhaps Samsung Note series are better?

 

[dacelo]

I bought the Tab S 8.4 a few days ago. The battery drained to 75% after an hour's use. I exchanged it and the replacement has the same issue. I've been using it for one hour and one minute and it's down to 81%. I wanted to swap away from iOS because I don't like the way Apple does things. Now I have to reconsider because I don't know what other Android minis are well rated. Samsung tech support was entirely unhelpful.

 

[FF22]

I bought the Tab S 8.4 a few days ago. The battery drained to 75% after an hour's use. I exchanged it and the replacement has the same issue. I've been using it for one hour and one minute and it's down to 81%. I wanted to swap away from iOS because I don't like the way Apple does things. Now I have to reconsider because I don't know what other Android minis are well rated. Samsung tech support was entirely unhelpful.

Battery drain can be dependent on what apps or games you are running or it you have a wifi or cell model.

 

[dacelo]

I'd barely set it up. It had very few apps. I limited the number of things I allowed to sync automatically. It's a cell model but, because I live outside a reception area, it stays in flight mode. I do have wifi on. The point is that I have an iPad 3, off which I've wanted to wean myself, with infinitely more apps and used many hours more than I've used the Tab S, and the battery holds its charge. I want this device to work because I'm a confirmed Samsung Galaxy phone user and I need the compatibility. But it simply doesn't work. Reviews of all other Android mini tablets are less than encouraging so I look like having to revert to the iPad.

 

[FF22]

I'd barely set it up. It had very few apps. I limited the number of things I allowed to sync automatically. It's a cell model but, because I live outside a reception area, it stays in flight mode. I do have wifi on. The point is that I have an iPad 3, off which I've wanted to wean myself, with infinitely more apps and used many hours more than I've used the Tab S, and the battery holds its charge. I want this device to work because I'm a confirmed Samsung Galaxy phone user and I need the compatibility. But it simply doesn't work. Reviews of all other Android mini tablets are less than encouraging so I look like having to revert to the iPad.

I've got the 10.5 and the battery lasts quite well. I've watched videos on it for a number of hours and streamed video from it to my TV for a couple of hours and battery does well. I'm wifi only. While I'd guess the 10.5's battery is larger, it sounds as if you do have a defective unit. I'd see if it can be exchanged and obviously test thoroughly any replacement. This is my first Android device other than the ability of my Blackberry Z30 to run some android apps. Never had any apple products.

Good luck.

 

[dacelo]

F2 - You missed my original post. This is already a replacement. I had this problem with the original one and replaced it after two days. They both have the identical problem. Judging by this, and all the posts on this forum, there is clearly an inherent problem with these devices and Samsung should do the right thing and recall and replace any that have it.

Dealing with the people in Customer Care (and I use the term advisedly) on this, gives one no joy at all. They just tell me I should take it in for an assessment. They do things by the book and they have no mechanisms for deviating from that. I can't get through to them that for a customer to have a device for two days and then let it sit with a service centre for two weeks is simply inappropriate. Nor can they deal with the concept that the machine is clearly faulty in design. They still suggest I take my second device in for assessment. No doubt, if I replaced it again, they'd give me the same advice.

 

[FF22]

Sorry about your problems. I will say that it does not lead me to want Samsung phones or tablets if they can't handle customer issues in a reasonable manner. Fortunately, the 10.5 seems to be working okay.

Good luck.

 

[chakralasridhar]

Hi to all i have 2 tabs T-705 same problem battery drain very fast

after charging it to 100% battery drop is by 10-15% every 5 mins of usage. sometimes it behaves abnormaly by getting 100% charged in no time!...battery drops in big jumps...say from 70% to 40%. I face random reboots frequently...screen flickers and shuts down.
I've tried factory reset but still not working! i change new battery also still same problem .....pl help

 

[Beut]

Hi to all i have 2 tabs T-705 same problem battery drain very fast

after charging it to 100% battery drop is by 10-15% every 5 mins of usage. sometimes it behaves abnormaly by getting 100% charged in no time!...battery drops in big jumps...say from 70% to 40%. I face random reboots frequently...screen flickers and shuts down.
I've tried factory reset but still not working! i change new battery also still same problem .....pl help

I see many discussions here but no one can point to the right solution of flickering screen, battery big jumps up and down. This is a common problem in all Samsung tablets, the fix is quite simple.
First, the easy one: try to fix the female battery connector. This is one cable pulled out so you can see how it connects to male connector on mainboard



Use a thin knife to adjust the opening closer so this clip can make good contact with pin of male connector



This is a bad contact



This is a good contact after the adjustment. Male battery connector was re soldered, more solders added to secure its connection to main board.



The second fix, re solder black male battery connector, this one is the major source of your problem. It takes only under 5 minutes, any repair shop can give you the assistant with little charge



Follow my advice, you problem will go away and remember this : you never get these kind of free answers from tech support.

This is a video how to open your tablet, don't buy battery from here as it's overpriced. Buy from Ebay if you need one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIbpBImYtYw

 

[anon(5620090)]

After months of sudden battery drain on 1 yr old Tab S 8.4 (T700), I've finally found the issue.

It started with quick battery drain, along with random reboots and horizontal lines across the screen. Figuring it was the battery, I ordered a new one (non-OEM). After going through the cycle process of the new battery it was still draining quickly. I'd be lucky to get 2-3 hours of moderate use.

I recall reading something about a connection being loose so I opened up the tablet and noticed the power connector didn't seem to be sit tight. I disconnected and reconnected it but it just didn't want to 'snap' on tight and always move around more than it should.

I applied some electrical tape to it and then installed the original battery and charged it back up.

I'm happy to say this fixed my battery drain...not to mention I now have a spare battery

The loose connector:



Taped