Exchange the phone or factory reset? Battery life troubles

[scwchapman]

Evening everyone, I could REALLY use some help. I will preface this post by saying I've not had time to sift through all the android forums and look for similar problems to mine, so please don't flame me for not doing research. I'm just very desperate for advice about what to do with my Rezound's battery life!

I got the phone two days ago, let it run down completely from factory charge, then charged it completely over night. I repeated this process again the next day. The first time I plugged the phone into the charger, it heated to a whopping 120+ degrees. I read a few posts that said the phone CAN get hot, but I put the charger on a surge protector to make sure, and I left the phone on a cooler surface (instead of my mattress) to charge for the evening. I woke up and the phone was at 100%. I'm constantly on the go, so I always make sure to set my phone to squeeze the most out of battery life. I turned off all synching, turned off mobile data. Email and texts are pushed, but that's it. My weather and twitter are set to manually update only when viewed, and just in case I set the auto update to 1 hour. I even set the screen brightness to 40% (which hurt my soul, because the Rezound is absolutely gorgeous). I am in a 4G area, and I left that on because the data speed really spoils you. I pulled the phone off the charger at 11 am after it's 1st charge from empty to 100%. With LIGHT use (no phone calls, minimal web browsin, no video usage, and a few pictures and text messages) my phone was DEAD by 7pm. I put the phone on the charger and let it charge until full again. It charged to 100% today, and I was in class all day so there was virtually no use, and now my phone was dead by 6:30 today (it was pulled from the charger at 9:30am). My battery usage is 81% display (which shows you that I basically have NOTHING else running), 2-6% cell standby, 2% whatsapp, 2% OS, etc (so it all adds to 100%).

If you're convinced my battery/phone is defective, then please respond now, but if you need more evidence, listen to this! While on the charger this morning, I was checking my mail, sending a few whatsapp messages, refreshing the weather, and browsing the android market (BROWSING, not downloading) and the phone dropped to 98%...while still on the charger. A 15 minute text conversation has dropped my phone about 5%. At some points my battery life is dropping at least 2-3% an hour. I LOVE everything about this phone (even the light leak at the bezel I can deal with), but this battery life feels unexpected. Trying my hardest I can't even squeeze 12 hours out of the phone. I do not want to get the extended battery (not a fan of the bulk), but I will get a second battery if necessary. Question is, would a factory reset even fix a problem like this, or is something seriously wrong with my specific unit and should be replaced immediately? Thank you all so much for reading this lengthy post, and I hope I've given you enough information to help me out. I know it's no one's priority, but prompt responses would be GREATLY appreciated since my Verizon warranty period is so limited.

Thanks again everyone!
scwchapman

 

[scwchapman]

**** UPDATE ****

I don't know if this is normal, but I put my phone on the charger at 6:30pm (it was totally dead) and in 45min the battery has charged to 50%. Just keep that in mind when reading the info above. Thank you.

 

[BayouFlyFisher]

First let me say that something is wrong. Not sure it's the battery though. There are things that will use cpu cycles and thus battery power that will not show on the apps list. I think a Factory Data Reset is a reasonable thing to try before you contact Verizon about it though (see last paragraph). Listed below is my battery tips list for the Bionic. Most will apply to your phone, though it sounds like you've already taken some very good steps. Good luck.
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If you are having short battery life here’s a list of things that can help. Just read through the list and select the items that fit with the way you want to use your phone. Not all items will work for everyone and this list was written for the Droid Bionic but should work for your phone too:


- Don't use an automatic task killer--not even the one that comes with the phone. Reboot your phone and look at what's running. If anything that you've installed is running and there's no reason for it, then uninstall it and find an alternative that behaves. Ignore any stock apps that run on boot as I've found them to be more or less benign.

- Weather widgets, live wallpapers, news/social feeds, any app or service that you use that runs--do without it if you can. If you can’t do without it, lengthen it’s refresh time.

- Don't use antivirus

- Set your WIFI sleep policy to never. The default is "turn off when screen turns off". This will cause the wifi to reconnect every time you open the phone. From any Home Screen select Menu/Settings/Wireless & Networks/ and then use the Menu button to see some new options - select Advanced. Then select Wifi Sleep Policy and set it to Never. Home key to return to Home Screen.

- If you have access to wifi, leave it toggled on as it is more efficient than 3G. Wifi consumes less battery power than 3G.

- I leave GPS toggled on too by the way. Apps use it as needed. When I'm done with Maps or an app that uses it, I'm sure to return to the home screen so GPS can stop. Under wireless settings turn on "Google location services" so that an app is able to use network resources to get your location instead of GPS. I have "VZW location services" turned off--don't know why that option is even there. By the way, I increase the speed of voice output > text to speech > speech rate because I like the directions to get spit out faster. That saves a bit of battery. Turning off the display and just listening for directions help. Also, often I just get the directions and then exit back to the home screen: GPS uses so much battery I try to get it over with ASAP.

- When you get a 1) new battery, 2) do a factory reset, or 3) an OS upgrade - run your battery all the way down until the phone shuts off and then charge the battery all the way up. This will calibrate the phone's understanding of the battery's capacity. Do this once every month or two also, but don't do it too often if you can help it.

- I have my battery set to "Performance Mode" and data is on all the time because I am on call 24x7. If you don't mind, try out a more conservative battery profile to save more gobs of energy.

- Set screen brightness to "Automatic"

- Under Accounts, click on any account listed and turn off sync for any items that you're not interested in syncing. For example, Google Books if you don't use it. Don't use Backup Assistant--I prefer syncing my contacts with Google. You don't need both. Also go into your contacts > menu > display options > backup assistant > UNCHECK. Also do contacts > menu > more > settings > contact storage > and select your Google account and "remember this choice"

- Turn on Bluetooth only when you are going to use it.

- Consider turning off voice privacy. This may not be a big deal but it will save some processing (and therefore battery). It may also improve call quality.

-Turn off haptic feedback, animations, and any un-needed sounds in Android settings and in your apps

- Set your screen timeout to as low a time as you can stand (I use 1 minute) and manually turn the screen off when you’ve finished using the phone.

- Turn off in-pocket detection. In-Pocket Detection has been the source of many issues already.

- Keyboard: turn off vibrate on key press and sounds for any keyboards you use

- Use a red or black screen background. On the original Droid screen--not sure about this Bionic screen--red was the most efficient color that could be displayed.

- Camera app: I like keeping location on and flash on auto. Consider turning location off or at least returning to the home screen ASAP when using camera if location for camera is on.

- In stock browser the default home page is Google and it uses your location. This is a bad idea as it can waste your battery for no reason. Make something else your home page and make sure to close any web page that uses your location when you're done viewing it.

- Charge your phone via the wall charger instead of computer USB as it is faster. Also, don't use long USB cords--use regular power extension cords instead. I stick with the charger that came with the phone. Put the phone on charger when you go to bed every night.

- Consider install the Home Replacement app Zeam. It is basic app that uses very few resources and will help with battery power.
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This is a link to some very good videos about saving battery power on the Bionic (there are 4 parts and the other parts will show up as available videos when part 1 finishes):

Battery Saving Video

Part 1: [video=youtube;cvWg7SbUgsI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cvWg7SbUgsI[/video]



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If battery life is still bad: Consider doing a factory reset: These have gotten pretty painless lately by following these simple steps: 1. Make sure Backup and Restore are checked in the Privacy setting. 2. When going through the setup after the reset, turn on wifi as soon as you can (assuming it is available). 3. After you have entered your Gmail account info, you will be presented with a screen that has two check boxes. Basically they are "Do you want Google to backup and restore this phone”. Make sure you check both of those. Your apps will then automatically reinstall (paid and free). Set the phone aside for a minute or two and let the apps download and install. 3. If rooted, use an app such as titanium backup to restore data only to select apps such as Tapatalk and you will not have to re-enter all your login information. I do this for 3-4 apps (Tapatalk, SPB Shell, etc.).

I've been flashing new roms/updates about once per day lately and I can be up and running with all my apps and settings back in place in less than 20 minutes. It's pretty painless now.

 

[scwchapman]

Bayou, I read your post after my first full cycle of charging. That's actually what helped me set it up the first day after I charged it once fully. I figured your tips would help me start off right, but even AFTER following your steps (black background and everything), I'm still getting the battery life I described. I will try a factory reset and see if it helps, I just wasn't sure if something is SO WRONG that a factory reset wouldn't even work. As of now my phone has charged from dead to 60% in one hour, so I really don't know what's going on.

 

[bens42608]

That's similar to my bionic before I got the extended battery. The reason your phone is dying is because your leaving 4g on. I dont think you knew how much of a power hog it is. You need to do one of two things; either turn off 4g and use 3g except for when u really need 4g- or if ur like me and ur spoiled by the 4g speeds like u said, get the extended battery! It has changed my life. I had 4g on all day, battery was down to about 80% from 7am to 3pm , it was on the charger for about an hour while I was home and now im on 87% (it is 734pm). Before that id be dead in no time like you. I hope I helped.

P.S. for comparison; stock battery- battery drained 10% an hour with no use. More if using 4g to do stuff online.
Ext.Batt.- battery drains about 2% an hour with 4g on. A little more if im watching a movie online

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using DroidForums

 

[mikeinctown]

The battery could be a bad one. I was going from 100% to dead in less than 5 hours with some usage. New battery came in today and it charged to 100%. When I head out in a bit it will come off the charger and I will see how it drains tonight and in the morning. I hope it is not the phone as I am not going to keep setting this crap back up constantly. I'll let Verizon move everything over for me.

 

[scwchapman]

The battery could be a bad one. I was going from 100% to dead in less than 5 hours with some usage. New battery came in today and it charged to 100%. When I head out in a bit it will come off the charger and I will see how it drains tonight and in the morning. I hope it is not the phone as I am not going to keep setting this crap back up constantly. I'll let Verizon move everything over for me.

Hey, let me know if you've had better luck. I read your previous posts and your problems that you mentioned sounded very similar to mine. I too am hoping it's not the phone. I'm going to give the factory reset a shot tomorrow, and try a battery pull tonight.

 

[combatmedic870]

That's similar to my bionic before I got the extended battery. The reason your phone is dying is because your leaving 4g on. I dont think you knew how much of a power hog it is. You need to do one of two things; either turn off 4g and use 3g except for when u really need 4g- or if ur like me and ur spoiled by the 4g speeds like u said, get the extended battery! It has changed my life. I had 4g on all day, battery was down to about 80% from 7am to 3pm , it was on the charger for about an hour while I was home and now im on 87% (it is 734pm). Before that id be dead in no time like you. I hope I helped.

P.S. for comparison; stock battery- battery drained 10% an hour with no use. More if using 4g to do stuff online.
Ext.Batt.- battery drains about 2% an hour with 4g on. A little more if im watching a movie online

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using DroidForums

I leave my 4g on all day. I get a full 16hours out of it usually. but i have removed bloat and have setcpu working(my temp root stick for me longer then.....everyone? usually a day or 2)

 

[debbie3doodles]

I would say there is something majorly wrong with ur phone. My mom has a Nexus S and her phone kept getting super hot. So hot that she would have to pull it away from her ear while talking. She also had battery issues. I suggested that she take it in and have it checked and so she did. When she got it back it warms up but not nothing like b4 and her battery now last her double what it was. If ur in ur grace period I would go in a have it replaced...hope this helps

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using DroidForums

 

[atomicwedgie]

I have a thread on this... I think its a network issue or a misbehaving background app. In short, do a battery pull and wait a few minutes. Leave the phone plugged in overnight and if you have WiFi turn it on. See how it is in the morning.

Sent from my Rezound using DroidForums

 

[bens42608]

I leave my 4g on all day. I get a full 16hours out of it usually. but i have removed bloat and have setcpu working(my temp root stick for me longer then.....everyone? usually a day or 2)

You are saying you use 4g all day without charging it at all during the day and you get 16 hours? Ur setcpu must be underclocked to like max: 400 mhz and u must have stripped all animations and sacrifice a whole lot of things because 16 hours of 4g use with a stock battery is unbelievable by today's technology. That's amazing dude I think u got a magic battery

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using DroidForums

 

[RacingTiger03]

You are saying you use 4g all day without charging it at all during the day and you get 16 hours? Ur setcpu must be underclocked to like max: 400 mhz and u must have stripped all animations and sacrifice a whole lot of things because 16 hours of 4g use with a stock battery is unbelievable by today's technology. That's amazing dude I think u got a magic battery

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using DroidForums

Nah that's not that amazing except maybe if he uses it a LOT. With my bionic I got a 13-14 hour day on average and I consider myself a moderate-heavy user in that I would check something and use data at least once an hour with 4G on for about 8 of those hours. That includes some games in the evenings when I got home too. My rezound... I just go tit yesterday so I'm not throwin any flags yet, but I've been off charge for just 3 hours this AM and I'm at 86% and all I've done is check traffic before I left for work. normally my bionic held 90% until about noon. I don't mind trading off battery life for the benefits of the rezound though. No data drops yet xed fingers lol.

 

[cp24eva]

I'd say trade it in. You'd have to pin point the issue. You can swap out batteries, chargers, etc. In the end, I'd still want a new phone. No...not like new.....a new phone. Even when I had my stock battery I didn't have these issues you had. And I'm on 4G all day. Deep inside a building. So in here it would drain faster. But when out on the street and with a solid 4G connection, I'd get at least 8-9 hours on a stock battery. With the extended battery, it was insane the time I got out of it. And it wouldn't get too hot either. Thats what I liked about this phone compared to my bionic. The bionic used to burn up. This phone, not so much....at least not for me.

 

[RacingTiger03]

over the last hour I made one change on my phone.. and it DRASTICALLY changed the battery life. I'm curious if it is your issue too. I had the weather live wallpaper active. It only animated when you first turn it on... doesn't seem like a big deal right?... it runs GPS and data in the background to update and they get lumped in with "display" under battery use because they are being used as a part of that wallpaper. My battery life has only dropped 1% since then *shrug*. Hope it helps. If you don't have a LWP enabled.. I'd call VZ and swap it out.

 

[scwchapman]

***UPDATE NUMBER 2***

I did a battery pull last night after charging the phone to 100% (took less than 1.5 hours to charge from zero to 100%, don't know if that's normal). I only pulled the battery and put it back in, I did not let the phone sit for a few minutes, so I'll try that tonight before I go for a factory reset. Today I had an 8am exam, and no cell phones are allowed in the building during exams, so I left the phone at home. I unplugged it from the charger at 6:30am with 100% charge. 4G is always on, and I have the same settings as mentioned before. I got back at 12:30 from the exam and my battery was down to 89%. I want to say I'm okay with that, but I literally did not touch the phone once in those 6 hours, and only one e-mail and one text message were pushed to my phone. I looked at the battery usage and my screen was down to 33-35% (as opposed to 81%) and my cell standby was p to 33% and phone idle at 30%. I have been using the phone sparingly for a little over an hour now (some text messages and a deleted e-mail), and I'm down to 83%. I will keep the thread posted on how long the battery lasts tonight, and what happens after a factory reset. I still haven't really gotten a feel if people believe the battery/phone is defective or not. Also, I just remembered. The first time I charged the phone was without the surge protector, and as I said the temp was fluctuating between 107-120F. During that charge cycle, the phone was on the charger the entire night, and when I woke up it still was not completely charged (82% or so) so could it be possible that the first cycle I did somehow fried something?

Thanks for all the responses thus far. Everyone has been super helpful!