Extended battery, worth it?

[IzelTokatl]

I do not understand battery technology. How can you make one battery 1800 and keep it the same size as a 1400 or 1500? How can you icnrease the power output and not make it bigger. i just dont understand that..

It's simple really. You can use the same casing and fill the chemical solution with a slightly cheaper compound that will burn off the energy faster, hence 1400, you can fill it with more expensive solutions that break down energy slower, hence the 1500 battery. But, you can only peak out within the same casing after that you get the bigger batteries.

Manufacturers dont want to spend THAT much money giving you the best product life, they want you to spend money on little upgrades and accessories. hence how they can offer a better battery with the same fit.

same as buying a plastic ring, silver ring, gold, tungstung(the heaviest) ring... same size, different material, but weight beings to change even though its the same shape and form, and also taking up the same space.

 

[olufadi1]

^makes sense

I just got the Extended Slim Battery Motorola Droid 3 1800mAh off of ebay http://bit.ly/rqrmIh

Monitoring it today and guesstimating how long it will take for the battery to die, it looks like I can get 20 hours out of it, with significant use. (I'll know for sure at the end of the day). Wifi on the majority of the day (only turned off for an hour). Significant use of Music Beta on 3G (probably 2 hours of playback). Words with friends, scrabble, downloading apps, texting, some internet use. I have gotten rid of some bloatware, but not all because I actually like some of the social messaging and such.

With the stock battery it seemed like i could get 16 hours with moderate use. Turning off wifi and/or data a bit more than heavy use and less music playback.

All in all I think it was a good choice and I shouldn't have to worry about recharging before the end of the day I don't think.

 

[fullerne]

^makes sense

I just got the Extended Slim Battery Motorola Droid 3 1800mAh off of ebay eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

Monitoring it today and guesstimating how long it will take for the battery to die, it looks like I can get 20 hours out of it, with significant use. (I'll know for sure at the end of the day). Wifi on the majority of the day (only turned off for an hour). Significant use of Music Beta on 3G (probably 2 hours of playback). Words with friends, scrabble, downloading apps, texting, some internet use. I have gotten rid of some bloatware, but not all because I actually like some of the social messaging and such.

With the stock battery it seemed like i could get 16 hours with moderate use. Turning off wifi and/or data a bit more than heavy use and less music playback.

All in all I think it was a good choice and I shouldn't have to worry about recharging before the end of the day I don't think.

how do you think the slim battery fits? just like the original, or workable but not perfect? It is advertised as the same size as original, but it seems like opinions on it vary.

 

[olufadi1]

i had no problem with fit. just slipped it right in and closed the cover.

 

[Reklezztrini]

I can't post links but on Amazon there's a store called AlwayzonSale, I bought my battery there for 27 plus shipping. It came out to about 31$. It is the VAN extended 1930mah, and it did come with the battery cover. Legit box and wrapping. All I need to do now is calibrate it

 

[IzelTokatl]

I can't post links but on Amazon there's a store called AlwayzonSale, I bought my battery there for 27 plus shipping. It came out to about 31$. It is the VAN extended 1930mah, and it did come with the battery cover. Legit box and wrapping. All I need to do now is calibrate it

I assume this is the item your refering to?

Amazon.com: New Motorola Droid 3 Oem Extended Battery Bf6x and Cover Door: alwayz-on-sale

Although it doesn't state the MAH number?


i'd be curious thats one of the biggest extended batteries out so far (at least that I know of) how much thicker is this beefy phone now? How's your batter life going? i'm waiting to find a great battery, without going to fat.

 

[MicroNix]

i'd be curious thats one of the biggest extended batteries out so far (at least that I know of) how much thicker is this beefy phone now? How's your batter life going? i'm waiting to find a great battery, without going to fat.

The official Moto extended battery and cover are barely different than stock. I was pleasantly surprised.

 

[mrk2010]

Bumping an old thread. Looks like it's been more than a year since you guys bought your extended batteries and I was just wondering if any of you can comment on the long-term performance of your batteries? Are they still providing reasonable charge after a year?

I am considering purchasing the OEM battery here: Amazon.com: Motorola Droid 3 Oem Extended Battery Bf6x and Cover Door: Cell Phones & Accessories

I actually purchased an aftermarket battery six months ago: Amazon.com: 3500mAh Extended Battery with Battery Cover for Motorola Droid 3 XT862: Cell Phones & Accessories

However, I noticed that the aftermarket battery has started to bulge a bit and it is not lasting as long as it used to. I'm guessing it was poorly manufactured. So I'm willing to shell out on an OEM extended battery (as long as it is able to last for a full day with moderate usage).

 

[beowulf7]

^ Thanks for bumping this thread. I'm also in the market for an extended battery for the Droid 3. My OEM one, which is about 1.5 years old, is horrible. In just 1.5 hours of texting and Web surfing (nothing intensive), I can deplete my phone's battery to 50%. That's horrible IMO.

In the links you gave, wow, the OEM costs a fortune but has mostly good reviews. The knock-off one is much cheaper but has poor reviews. Is this one of those "you get what you pay for" cases? I'd like to also hear from others in this forum and their recommendations.

 

[mrk2010]

In the links you gave, wow, the OEM costs a fortune but has mostly good reviews. The knock-off one is much cheaper but has poor reviews. Is this one of those "you get what you pay for" cases? I'd like to also hear from others in this forum and their recommendations.

I believe so. I should point out that the OEM one has a much lower mAh than the aftermarket one (in fact, the OEM one isn't that much higher than stock):

Stock OEM: 1500 mAh
Extended OEM: 1930 mAh
Aftermarket: 3500 mAh

Initially, the aftermarket battery was lasting for quite a long time (~36 hours moderate use without charging). But after six months, it's degraded significantly and it's nowhere near the original charge.

But then you mentioned that your stock OEM battery currently doesn't last as long as it used to, so maybe it's just a matter of luck...

 

[doogald]

I've had my extended battery (stock BF6X) since late October 2011, and it's definitely still going great. I actually also purchased another extended battery (this one: Amazon.com: Anker

 

[beowulf7]

I believe so. I should point out that the OEM one has a much lower mAh than the aftermarket one (in fact, the OEM one isn't that much higher than stock):

Stock OEM: 1500 mAh
Extended OEM: 1930 mAh
Aftermarket: 3500 mAh

Initially, the aftermarket battery was lasting for quite a long time (~36 hours moderate use without charging). But after six months, it's degraded significantly and it's nowhere near the original charge.

But then you mentioned that your stock OEM battery currently doesn't last as long as it used to, so maybe it's just a matter of luck...

3500 mA-hr. is probably a bit of overkill for me. Also, I'd need something that has the stock dimensions since I have a case for my phone that probably wouldn't work with a replacement cover.

I've had my extended battery (stock BF6X) since late October 2011, and it's definitely still going great. I actually also purchased another extended battery (this one: Amazon.com: Anker

 

[mrk2010]

Thanks for replying. Damn, too bad that battery is out of stock. Do you remember approximately how much you paid for it? I'd like to stay in the $15 range for a slightly higher capacity battery that uses the stock back cover.

Tried to search on Google for the Anker extended battery that replaces the BF6X but no luck. I did find the OEM BF6X on eBay for a reasonable price: New Motorola Extended Battery DROID3 Droid 3 XT862 BF6X SNN5879A 1880 1930 | eBay

Also found this sick deal which includes two aftermarket BF6X replacements and a wall charger, all under $10: 2X BF6X Battery Dock Charger for Motorola Droid 3 XT862 | eBay

I might spring for the second deal since I will likely upgrade to a new phone later this year, so it doesn't matter if they only last for a few months. I already have the same charger so I'll probably re-sell it.

 

[doogald]

Thanks for replying. Damn, too bad that battery is out of stock. Do you remember approximately how much you paid for it? I'd like to stay in the $15 range for a slightly higher capacity battery that uses the stock back cover.

I paid $10.99.

The Anker battery requires the extended battery cover - the stock battery cover will not close completely due to the thickness of the battery pack (it's just slightly thicker than the Motorola extended battery, actually.)

 

[mrk2010]

I paid $10.99.

The Anker battery requires the extended battery cover - the stock battery cover will not close completely due to the thickness of the battery pack (it's just slightly thicker than the Motorola extended battery, actually.)

My Droid 3 actually came with the OEM BF6X. But I think the battery is defective since the phone suddenly reboots whenever I close the sliding keypad or if it moves around in my pocket. This doesn't happen with my extended battery.

Do you mind telling me the thickness of your extended battery cover? I'm not sure if my phone came with the extended cover or the regular cover. Mine is about 3 mm.

 

[doogald]

My Droid 3 actually came with the OEM BF6X. But I think the battery is defective since the phone suddenly reboots whenever I close the sliding keypad or if it moves around in my pocket. This doesn't happen with my extended battery.

Do you mind telling me the thickness of your extended battery cover? I'm not sure if my phone came with the extended cover or the regular cover. Mine is about 3 mm.

The extended cover does not appear to be very different from the regular cover. The regular cover has a fingernail pry slot in the center at the top of the back cover, which includes the microphone opening; the extended cover has its pry slot in the top right corner, with a discrete top microphone hole in the center top. With the regular cover on, the camera is slightly raised from the cover; with the extended cover, it is slightly recessed.

Ok, even easier: the regular cover has a part number molded on the inside of 15014572001 (I have two of them, and both are the same.) The extended cover I have is 15014130001.

 

[mrk2010]

The extended cover does not appear to be very different from the regular cover. The regular cover has a fingernail pry slot in the center at the top of the back cover, which includes the microphone opening; the extended cover has its pry slot in the top right corner, with a discrete top microphone hole in the center top. With the regular cover on, the camera is slightly raised from the cover; with the extended cover, it is slightly recessed.

Ok, even easier: the regular cover has a part number molded on the inside of 15014572001 (I have two of them, and both are the same.) The extended cover I have is 15014130001.

Ohhhhh, so I have the regular cover even though it was shipped with the extended battery...smh. I'm gonna have to order the extended battery cover: Amazon.com: Motorola Brand New OEM Extended Battery Door Moto XT862/DROID 3 - Battery - Bulk Packaging - Black: Cell Phones & Accessories

 

[beowulf7]

Tried to search on Google for the Anker extended battery that replaces the BF6X but no luck. I did find the OEM BF6X on eBay for a reasonable price:

New Motorola Extended Battery DROID3 Droid 3 XT862 BF6X SNN5879A 1880 1930 | eBay

Also found this sick deal which includes two aftermarket BF6X replacements and a wall charger, all under $10:

2X BF6X Battery Dock Charger for Motorola Droid 3 XT862 | eBay

I might spring for the second deal since I will likely upgrade to a new phone later this year, so it doesn't matter if they only last for a few months. I already have the same charger so I'll probably re-sell it.

Thanks for the info. As expected, the OEM costs more than the "compatible" one (a big price diff. considering 1 battery vs. 2, so pretty much quadruple the price!). I've read mixed things if the "slightly" extended battery (~1900 mA-hr) would fit the stock Droid 3 cover. I know the "very" extended battery (~3500 mA-hr) requires a new cover, which is understandable.

I can take the chance about squeezing the OEM cover w/ a 1900 battery since I have a case, which should keep the back cover from popping off. I have the OEM case that has a kick stand and also attaches to a belt clip.

Hmm, so what should I decide. Decisions, decisions.

 

[beowulf7]

I paid $10.99.

The Anker battery requires the extended battery cover - the stock battery cover will not close completely due to the thickness of the battery pack (it's just slightly thicker than the Motorola extended battery, actually.)

That was a pretty good price compared to OEM. I wonder if all ~1900 mA-hr batteries (OEM or not) have the same thickness with respect to the back cover. It seems like it's a really close and tight fit, but maybe something I can chance since I have the OEM case I mentioned in my previous post.

 

[doogald]

I can take the chance about squeezing the OEM cover w/ a 1900 battery since I have a case, which should keep the back cover from popping off. I have the OEM case that has a kick stand and also attaches to a belt clip.

Hmm, so what should I decide. Decisions, decisions.

If you are using a case, you can just not put a back cover at all on the phone - the case will hold the battery in. I used an otterbox for a little while and that's the way I carried it.

 

[doogald]

That was a pretty good price compared to OEM. I wonder if all ~1900 mA-hr batteries (OEM or not) have the same thickness with respect to the back cover. It seems like it's a really close and tight fit, but maybe something I can chance since I have the OEM case I mentioned in my previous post.

The Anker was advertised as not needing an extended battery cover. This was incorrect; you cannot fully snap the stock cover on.

 

[beowulf7]

If you are using a case, you can just not put a back cover at all on the phone - the case will hold the battery in. I used an otterbox for a little while and that's the way I carried it.

The Anker was advertised as not needing an extended battery cover. This was incorrect; you cannot fully snap the stock cover on.

Too bad about the false advertising.

But I guess for someone like me who has a carrying case, I guess it's not the end of the world if the back cover won't fit in there. I'm just concerned that w/o the cover, that little extra room between not having the cover and the back of the case might be enough to jar the battery out just enough if the phone is bumped so that it loses contact w/ the contact sensors.

 

[beowulf7]

Here's an 1800 mA-hr. slightly extended (compared to 1500 mA-hr.) battery that supposedly fits the stock cover.

"Extended Slim Battery 1800mAh for Motorola Droid 3 BF6X"

But at ~$20, it's pretty expensive compared to the other BF6X batteries on Ebay. Does anyone have experience with this battery?

 

[HDKorp]

Dose anyone have a extended battery and how do you like it?

I have the Gorilla Gadgets 4500mah extended battery and...LOVE IT! Using CleanROM 5.x, I am getting an average of 15 hours with heavy use.

The lowest (9 hours with extremely heavy use)

The highest (31 hours with average use)

 

[mrk2010]

I have the Gorilla Gadgets 4500mah extended battery and...LOVE IT! Using CleanROM 5.x, I am getting an average of 15 hours with heavy use.

The lowest (9 hours with extremely heavy use)

The highest (31 hours with average use)

Sickkkkk...might consider buying one for when I'm traveling...where did you buy this from?