The HTC Droid DNA will officially launch this Wed November 21st. As of this writing many lucky Pre Order buyers of the device may receive it tomorrow per shipping notifications given out on Sunday. Many sites have already gotten their review units and have had the DNA for almost a week and posted up their mini reviews on important details about the device. Looking through many forums i hear that the main concern is the DNA's battery and lack of extra juice to sustain for a day (the Droid DNA will ship with a 2020mAH size battery). Here is what we see so far around the web about battery.
Engadget: "In terms of real-life usage, the DNA got us through a full day on moderate use"
Cnet: "I was surprised by the HTC Droid DNA's battery performance, as well. Despite the phone's large screen and swift performance, the handset's embedded 2,020mAh battery lasted for a long 8 hours and 43 minutes in the CNET Labs video battery drain test."
Gizmodo: "That big screen is paired with LTE and a relatively modest 2020 mAh Li-Ion battery, but the Droid DNA still lasted until 10pm every night with moderately heavy usage. It's certainly nowhere near the marathon levels of the Droid RAZR MAXX HD, but it outlasts the Galaxy S3."
TechnoBuffalo: "The DROID DNA features a 2,020mAh battery, which was able to get me to the end of the day with about a 30 percent charge."
PhoneScoop: "Battery life of LTE smartphones has come a long way in the last year. The DNA includes a 2,020mAh battery, which provides enough juice to use it for an entire day, even when under LTE coverage. In fact, I had a hard time running the battery down, even with intensive use. It consistently lasted longer than 24 hours."
LaptopMag: "The Droid DNA packs a 2,020 mAh battery that's not removable, but we saw pretty good endurance given this phone's huge display. During the LAPTOP Battery Test (continuous Web surfing over 4G LTE on 40 percent brightness), the DNA lasted 6 hours and 29 minutes. That's a half-hour longer than the 6:01 category average... The Samsung Galaxy S3 lasted 6:55, but it also has a dimmer display."
PCMag: "With all the processing power and the big, ultra-high-resolution display, battery life is a big concern here. The Droid DNA's non removable 2,020mAh battery was good for a solid 10 hours and 40 minutes of talk time, which is almost identical to the Galaxy S3's 10 hours and 43 minutes."
PhoneArena: "We were desperately hoping for the best with battery life, but alas, it puts out nothing more than average results. Charging its 2,020 mAh battery, we?re able to fly by the 10 hour mark before it?s completely depleted ? thus hitting the tally we?re normally accustomed to seeing with most Verizon 4G LTE smartphones."
Phil Nickinson via Android Central -How I look at battery life: From the moment the phone is unplugged from the charger, it's "in use." For me, that usually starts about 6 a.m. I still think "display on time" is obsessed over a little too much. It's important, to be sure. But a poor network connection will kill a battery even if you're not using the phone. So don't discount what's happening when you're not holding the phone. Droid DNA battery life: It's good. Not just kinda good, but really good. At least as good as the Galaxy S3.
So what I am trying to get at is that with many devices it is so hard to try and calculate what battery life will really give you. The only constant in everyone using the same device is that all will have the same size 2020 mAh battery upon purchase. How it is consumed during the day is on you. I have an extended battery Samsung Galaxy Nexus with a 2100mAh size battery. I pulled on one occasion 18 hours of usage . More days I am currently only pulling about 10 hours. People would ask me when I would recommend phones how battery life is. I always would reply with "For me, battery is great but for you it may be different.". Many tests are done to test battery life and we all read them before buying a device. I am guilty of that as well. The true test though is with you as a consumer. Buy a device and utilize that grace period for you to return a device. Some carriers have 15 days if you decide to return a device for another. Stop looking at sites on how great or bad battery life can be and making your judgement on if to buy or not. A good review may produce bad results when you use the device. A bad review may steer you away from a great device and ultimately have you settle with something else. Buy the device, download all the apps you would regularly use, and continue your phone usage like it is not a new device. Of course any new device you get you may take a while to get use to it or even understand how to use it, but try and use the first couple days to get the hang of it. The last days of your return window should be full on regular usage. Determine your usage and battery consumption and from there make your judgment The Droid DNA looks like an excellent phone with stellar specs. The 1080p screen itself is a master of beauty. I myself will be purchasing one on Wednesday for myself. If I don't feel like the device is up to my standards with my own usage, then I will make my true decision to return it. I would not want myself or any other reader to be stuck with a phone they did not like for 2 years. This advice I am putting out there can go for all cell phone purchases. The holidays are coming and I hope you take this into consideration.
PS: Cell phones make great gifts. I recommend that if you are purchasing one as a gift to always buy it a few days before you give it. That way the return period can stay open in case the receiver dislikes the device, they can return for another of their choosing. Don't make judgments for others based on your usage.
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