Battery life - post update - strange but true

[robo21]

Like several others I noticed my battery usage increase noticeably after doing the initial JI6 (single .TAR file) update with Odin. My battery would go from 100% charge to anywhere between 70 to 80% of full charge overnight - with no usage, just sitting on standby.

I then tried switching from 3G to 2G (WCDMA to GSM respectively) over the same time period and everything went back to normal. The Vibrant would start at 100% at 8 or 9PM and by 7AM it would be at 92 to 93% after 10 or 11 hours which was identical to my pre-JI6 experience. During the day I would switch back to auto network mode and my battery usage (not just on standby) was consistent with my pre-update usage. Here I would be using the voice calling, GPS/maps, messaging, emails, video, camera and even a game or two.

Then at the request of another forum member here, I experimented with Odin and the 2 file (.PIT and .TAR files) JI6 update in an attempt to fix the Market issue where some apps weren't visible. This update did repair that issue as I reported in another thread. I don't know if this update has anything to do with the latest battery usage experience but I mention it only in passing as I'm trying to figure this out.

Yesterday, I went back to Auto Mode for 3G/2G which normally ate up my battery much faster, charged the phone up to 100% and left it overnight. This morning 9 hours later the battery remains at 100%.

I park my phone in a room that previously had spotty 3G coverage. I would get between 0 and 3 bars for 3G and mostly 1 or 2. Strangely, this morning I had 4 bars on my 3G connection. I'm not sure how significant this is or if the coverage has improved here or not. Time will tell. As I've mentioned before, other than the display, seeking a 3G tower connection in a spotty or fringe 3G area

I played around with Web and a few other things to make sure it was really still at full charge and not an anomaly, and after about 3 minutes it dropped to 99%.

I don't know how significant this is after one event, but I will keep the thread posted with results. One thing is clear though and that is that battery drain can vary from unit to unit and it may have something to do with the way the phone has been updated and or set up. Maybe something as simple as re-updating or doing a factory reset might help those who are having problems.

 

[mdtolic]

Newb question: A factory reset will wipe out all your apps, right? If I'm not rooted and only have mini Kies installed on my computer, what do I do? Look up and reinstall everything from scratch?

My phone has been on 3h 22m today. that's after an overnight charge and minimal use this AM (a couple texts & emails). My batt is at 66% already.

 

[robo21]

Newb question: A factory reset will wipe out all your apps, right? If I'm not rooted and only have mini Kies installed on my computer, what do I do? Look up and reinstall everything from scratch?

Unfortunately, yes.

 

[mdtolic]

I've already read a few posts about it, but I'm hoping some folks who have done a reset can report batter life changes here.

 

[scoope]

OK I'm new to android - how do I preserve the apps I have purchased if I do a factory rest?

 

[robo21]

OK I'm new to android - how do I preserve the apps I have purchased if I do a factory rest?

The paid version of My Backup and Astro File Manager will allegedly back up your paid apps. My Backup has a 30 day free trial. Astro File Manager is free.

Astro File manager is another useful app for your Android device. It is something like Total Commander for Windows or Midnight Commander for Linux. This great freeware file manager has a backup functionality too. It is able to backup your application to the SD card.
Click the Menu button on your HTC Hero device (or something similar on another phones), select Tools and tap the Application manager/Backup option. The Astro will load the application list. Select one, more or all of the applications and click the Backup button. Your software will be copied to the SD card

Personally, I have not used either one. So I would suggest you read a little more at Appbrain, etc.

 

[wildblue]

Newb question: A factory reset will wipe out all your apps, right? If I'm not rooted and only have mini Kies installed on my computer, what do I do? Look up and reinstall everything from scratch?

My phone has been on 3h 22m today. that's after an overnight charge and minimal use this AM (a couple texts & emails). My batt is at 66% already.

I installed the JI6 update via mini Kies.

I unplugged my phone from the charger this morning about 8:30, it's now 12:00, and I'm at 92%. I've done some browsing, email checking, no GPS, so not much activity, mostly it's been sitting with the screen off. I'm using wifi, so no 2G or 3G connection. I consider this a normal standby/light use drain rate.

I don't get 3G at home, but can take it off wifi and compare auto to 2G only drain and report back.

 

[Hurracayne_dre]

I've already read a few posts about it, but I'm hoping some folks who have done a reset can report batter life changes here.

I tried it and that didn't work. smh

 

[robo21]

I installed the JI6 update via mini Kies.

I unplugged my phone from the charger this morning about 8:30, it's now 12:00, and I'm at 92%. I've done some browsing, email checking, no GPS, so not much activity, mostly it's been sitting with the screen off. I'm using wifi, so no 2G or 3G connection. I consider this a normal standby/light use drain rate.

I don't get 3G at home, but can take it off wifi and compare auto to 2G only drain and report back.

That would be helpful.

 

[scoope]

I came from the world of BlackBerry's and used Desktop Manager to back-up my phone. Is there anything similar to this for the Vibrant?

 

[rocketragz]

I've already read a few posts about it, but I'm hoping some folks who have done a reset can report batter life changes here.

Here is a post I made in one of the other battery threads:

I happily can say that my battery situation has improved dramatically after doing a factory restore. after sleeping for 7 hours, my battery drained ONLY 1%!

Despite some saying not to use juicedefender, i've had good experiences with the program and I did have it running last night. (paid version)

Regarding mediahub, i have not accepted the t&c's and don't plan to. However download manager (media hub process) is running in my running services.

Anyway, i'm happy.


Regarding the back up, I used Astro and it worked great.

I'm now at 13 hours since last unplug and my battery is at 32%. I've been using my phone heavily for the past 4 hours.

 

[mdtolic]

I'm backing up to my SD card using Astro right now. Not sure I will Factory Reset until I can get home and see what's actually on my card. Not sure how to get them from the card back to the phone either! Looks like it might just be check and "Install".

Decided to leave a few things off in an attempt to clean it up a little. It's amazing how fast I compiled a lot of crap apps. Grill Guide anyone?

 

[scoope]

Regarding the back up, I used Astro and it worked great.

Thanks for the input re Astro - does this save all your contact info too?

 

[mdtolic]

Since my first post, 65 minutes ago, my batt. went from 66% to 53% afcter checking a few emails, checking Twitter once (Seesmic) and doing this backup. I actually thought to plug it in half way through the backup too. Something's not right.

 

[mdtolic]

Thanks for the input re Astro - does this save all your contact info too?

It only looks like app files. Backup contacts with Gmail.

 

[w_bovine]

Like several others I noticed my battery usage increase noticeably after doing the initial JI6 (single .TAR file) update with Odin. My battery would go from 100% charge to anywhere between 70 to 80% of full charge overnight - with no usage, just sitting on standby.

I then tried switching from 3G to 2G (WCDMA to GSM respectively) over the same time period and everything went back to normal. The Vibrant would start at 100% at 8 or 9PM and by 7AM it would be at 92 to 93% after 10 or 11 hours which was identical to my pre-JI6 experience. During the day I would switch back to auto network mode and my battery usage (not just on standby) was consistent with my pre-update usage. Here I would be using the voice calling, GPS/maps, messaging, emails, video, camera and even a game or two.

Then at the request of another forum member here, I experimented with Odin and the 2 file (.PIT and .TAR files) JI6 update in an attempt to fix the Market issue where some apps weren't visible. This update did repair that issue as I reported in another thread. I don't know if this update has anything to do with the latest battery usage experience but I mention it only in passing as I'm trying to figure this out.

Yesterday, I went back to Auto Mode for 3G/2G which normally ate up my battery much faster, charged the phone up to 100% and left it overnight. This morning 9 hours later the battery remains at 100%.

I park my phone in a room that previously had spotty 3G coverage. I would get between 0 and 3 bars for 3G and mostly 1 or 2. Strangely, this morning I had 4 bars on my 3G connection. I'm not sure how significant this is or if the coverage has improved here or not. Time will tell. As I've mentioned before, other than the display, seeking a 3G tower connection in a spotty or fringe 3G area

I played around with Web and a few other things to make sure it was really still at full charge and not an anomaly, and after about 3 minutes it dropped to 99%.

I don't know how significant this is after one event, but I will keep the thread posted with results. One thing is clear though and that is that battery drain can vary from unit to unit and it may have something to do with the way the phone has been updated and or set up. Maybe something as simple as re-updating or doing a factory reset might help those who are having problems.

There's been a lot of talk about the JI6 modem. From all accounts I've read most have found it to be a real battery hog. At the same time, there are just as many reports saying that the signal reception with it is much better than it was with the JI2 or JFD modem. Some seem to think the GPS functions better with the JI6 as well. I've not seen a good explanation of the link between the modem and the GPS, but there does appear to be one.

It amounts to a trade off. Use the JI6 modem and get significantly better reception and deal with the extra battery use or flash the JI2 modem and get a lessened signal with the battery lasting longer.

I suppose much could depend on the coverage in your area, for instance if you find yourself in a fringe area most of the time you might want to keep the JI6 to have a more reliable signal. If you have good coverage most of the time you might want the JI2 to have better battery life.

 

[robo21]

Since my first post, 65 minutes ago, my batt. went from 66% to 53% afcter checking a few emails, checking Twitter once (Seesmic) and doing this backup. I actually thought to plug it in half way through the backup too. Something's not right.

That IS excessive! In 3 hours of texting, checking email, 3 two minute avg. voice calls and checking a weather video my battery is at 93%. This from the 100% I had earlier.

 

[robo21]

There's been a lot of talk about the JI6 modem. From all accounts I've read most have found it to be a real battery hog. At the same time, there are just as many reports saying that the signal reception with it is much better than it was with the JI2 or JFD modem. Some seem to think the GPS functions better with the JI6 as well. I've not seen a good explanation of the link between the modem and the GPS, but there does appear to be one.

It amounts to a trade off. Use the JI6 modem and get significantly better reception and deal with the extra battery use or flash the JI2 modem and get a lessened signal with the battery lasting longer.

I suppose much could depend on the coverage in your area, for instance if you find yourself in a fringe area most of the time you might want to keep the JI6 to have a more reliable signal. If you have good coverage most of the time you might want the JI2 to have better battery life.

At the moment, and don't ask me why, I seem to have both good coverage and good battery life with JI6. One thing - I've never activated Media Hub, I don't know if that is pertinent or not.

 

[mdtolic]

No kidding. It's a bummer. 41% now.

I'm close to the Factory Reset. I suppose I will need to install the update again too?

 

[robo21]

Thanks for the input re Astro - does this save all your contact info too?

I'm not sure, if you use Gmail though all of your contacts will be synced on your Gmail cloud. If no Gmail, check the Tmo server, it should also have your contacts there.

 

[robo21]

No kidding. It's a bummer.

I'm close to the Factory Reset. I suppose I will need to install the update again too?

Not necessarily, but my good results all occurred after I did the 2 file Odin update (using the .PIT and .TAR files). I'm not saying that my good battery results are defintely resulting from this but it might be a factor. I wouldn't want to be guilty of the fallacy in logic of "post hoc ergo propter hoc." After this, therefore because of this.

My situation:
1) Phone is bone stock.
2) I did a factory reset 2 weeks ago before updating with Odin.
2) Most recent update to JI6 used Odin and 2 file package.
3) Never activated Media Hub.
4) Currently running in Auto network mode (both GSM and WCDMA) but with a stable 3G signal. In a fringe area or an area with no 3G I would go GSM only.

At the moment these are the only factors I can think of that could be related. If I find anything else I will update the thread. I hope this helps.

 

[rocketragz]

No kidding. It's a bummer. 41% now.

I'm close to the Factory Reset. I suppose I will need to install the update again too?

no, you won't need to install the update again.

 

[dan0zone]

OK I'm new to android - how do I preserve the apps I have purchased if I do a factory rest?

The android market saves all your paid apps, after you do a hard reset open the market app, sign in to your Google account and go to downloads.... If you are asking about way to backup all your app data and settings then try some of the backup apps the other member mentioned....
Welcome to Android.,.,,.,.,.,.

 

[robo21]

no, you won't need to install the update again.

Unless you want to try the update I used.

 

[mdtolic]

no, you won't need to install the update again.

Good news. Just got this tweet as well:

GalaxySsupport Hi. No. It will remain with the latest and most up-to-date version. ^Mar

6m ago via CoTweet

Unless you want to try the update I used.

Yup. I'm going to start off with a standard reset and see what happens.