Help Battery life post TMo OTA update(recent)

[PinkFloyd]

Is it me or anyone else experiencing the rapid drain of battery after the recent OTA update from TMobile for the Vibrant. Prior to the OTA update, my Vibrant charge used to last 2-3 days of normal use before I had to charge. Now the battery life is considerably shortened and from 100%, it goes to below 20% in 12-15 hrs, most of it is idle time. My normal usage has not changed at all before and after the update but I am experiencing this rapid battery drain phenomenon on my Vibrant.

Anyone else experiencing this?

 

[robo21]

Try this: Go into Menu/Wireless and networking/Mobile networks/Network mode/GSM only. This will put you into 2G only mode. If you are idling anyway - what's the difference. When you need the bandwidth just switch back to GSM/WCDMA (auto mode). Meanwhile you might be surprised with a dramatic increase in battery life.

In my bedroom I have weak 3G (WCDMA) signal so my phone will continuously try to reach a 3G tower by boosting/wasting power. But if I select the 2G (GSM only) mode I get a substantial increase in battery life. When I get ready to leave the house I just switch back.

I have found for the way I use my phone and my fringe 3G location that this is the biggest drain on my battery.

Good luck.

 

[flywatt]

Is it me or anyone else experiencing the rapid drain of battery after the recent OTA update from TMobile for the Vibrant. Prior to the OTA update, my Vibrant charge used to last 2-3 days of normal use before I had to charge. Now the battery life is considerably shortened and from 100%, it goes to below 20% in 12-15 hrs, most of it is idle time. My normal usage has not changed at all before and after the update but I am experiencing this rapid battery drain phenomenon on my Vibrant.

Anyone else experiencing this?

Just posted this in another thread.

Anyone finding it impossible to delete bloatware after this update? I've re-rooted, and still cant delete bloatware! I hate it, because this bloatware runs in the background and drains the crap out of my battery. Why does Amazon, Daily Briefing, Email, GPS Test, Media Hub, Task Manager and Telenav feel like they need to re-start every time I stop the application? It drives me f'n nutts! My battery went from 36 hours to barely managing 12 hours! I'm loosing my mind here.

 

[PinkFloyd]

robo, thanks for the tip to put it in 2G mode and I am familiar with this trick from my past phones. However I am trying to find out the root cause for sudden battery drain phenomenon which did not exist prior to the OTA update.

Also, when I am at home, my phone is always on Wifi so it hardly has to latch on to the TMo 3G network and yet my battery is draining fast and this is a new thing.

Any explanations or anyone else experiencing the rapid batter drain?

 

[PinkFloyd]

Just posted this in another thread.

flywall, thank you. That is precisely the problem I am having and when I look at the task manager, every goddamn application is running. That would probably explain why my battery is draining fast.

This is ridiculous from TMo that they would put out an update that would make the battery life worse than what it was. I am also wondering why every application is starting up and running in the background.

 

[robo21]

robo, thanks for the tip to put it in 2G mode and I am familiar with this trick from my past phones. However I am trying to find out the root cause for sudden battery drain phenomenon which did not exist prior to the OTA update.

Also, when I am at home, my phone is always on Wifi so it hardly has to latch on to the TMo 3G network and yet my battery is draining fast and this is a new thing.

Any explanations or anyone else experiencing the rapid batter drain?

I'm suggesting that you try it and post your results. My suspicion is that somehow JI6 has increased the 3G seeking behavior either in terms of frequency or power consumption.

My phone used to discharge between 7 and 10% when I slept 8 hours. Then after JI6 it has gone to between 15 and 30% over the same time frame. It's not the battery - I've tried my other new OEM battery.

 

[flywatt]

flywall, thank you. That is precisely the problem I am having and when I look at the task manager, every goddamn application is running. That would probably explain why my battery is draining fast.

This is ridiculous from TMo that they would put out an update that would make the battery life worse than what it was. I am also wondering why every application is starting up and running in the background.

No problem. Hopefully this helps too, I'm giving it a shot. Still not happy I can't delete bloatware, but it might be better than nothing!

i didn't root until after this update but i am able to remove the bloatware. another option to try if you haven't is to use 'startup auditor' or another similar app to keep them from even starting, and restarting, and restarting...

 

[robo21]

flywall, thank you. That is precisely the problem I am having and when I look at the task manager, every goddamn application is running. That would probably explain why my battery is draining fast.

This is ridiculous from TMo that they would put out an update that would make the battery life worse than what it was. I am also wondering why every application is starting up and running in the background.

Oddly, my consumption went up dramatically (post update) yet I have no apps running in the background. This is why I am suggesting it may have something to do with 3G tower seeking, at least in my case.

 

[wearespacepeople]

my battery life has actually improved.

 

[flywatt]

my battery life has actually improved.

I dont even see how that's possible. Mediahub wants to run, constantly. Based on that simple fact, how could your battery be more efficient?

The ONLY way I see this possible is if you CONSTANTLY had your GPS feature enabled, and now instead of CONSTANTLY searching for a GPS signal, your GPS feature doesn't CONSTANTLY have to search anymore...

I dont mean to bust your chopps, but help me understand here hombre!

 

[PinkFloyd]

Oddly, my consumption went up dramatically (post update) yet I have no apps running in the background. This is why I am suggesting it may have something to do with 3G tower seeking, at least in my case.

It is not seeking 3G towers as mostly it is on the Wifi network both at home and at work. In order for it to seek a 3G network, it should be devoid of access to a Wifi network, I'd think. This is really odd.

 

[PinkFloyd]

my battery life has actually improved.

If that was really the case, this whole OTA update is a voodoo thing. My battery is draining like crazy and last time I saw battery drain so fast was when I had the 3G version of the IPhone with iOS 2 and that was similar. However, Apple fixed that issue quickly with software updates.

 

[robo21]

I dont even see how that's possible. Mediahub wants to run, constantly. Based on that simple fact, how could your battery be more efficient?

The ONLY way I see this possible is if you CONSTANTLY had your GPS feature enabled, and now instead of CONSTANTLY searching for a GPS signal, your GPS feature doesn't CONSTANTLY have to search anymore...

I dont mean to bust your chopps, but help me understand here hombre!

My mediahub doesn't run at all, let alone constantly, nor any other app.

 

[robo21]

my battery life has actually improved.

I'm just curious how your 3G reception is?

 

[robo21]

It is not seeking 3G towers as mostly it is on the Wifi network both at home and at work. In order for it to seek a 3G network, it should be devoid of access to a Wifi network, I'd think. This is really odd.

Not necessarily, we don't know if Wifi disables 3G internally.

 

[flywatt]

My mediahub doesn't run at all, let alone constantly, nor any other app.

Are you running a Startup Auditor? Or something similar?

 

[MisterJohnnyT]

My Vibrant battery used to last a full 2 days with moderate use... now, after the OTA update, my battery does not even last 20 hours with LIGHT use! If I unplug it with a full charge before going to bed, it loses 30% of it's charge just sitting on my nightstand in standby mode! *! W T F !* ??????
What good is a working gps, if the phone is dead when I go to use it????

I SHALL DEMAND A FULL REFUND FOR THIS TRASH

 

[MisterJohnnyT]

What do you think our options are other than barraging Tmo/Sam with hate mail?

 

[robo21]

Are you running a Startup Auditor? Or something similar?

Yes, Startup Auditor.

 

[PinkFloyd]

My Vibrant battery used to last a full 2 days with moderate use... now, after the OTA update, my battery does not even last 20 hours with LIGHT use! If I unplug it with a full charge before going to bed, it loses 30% of it's charge just sitting on my nightstand in standby mode! *! W T F !* ??????
What good is a working gps, if the phone is dead when I go to use it????

I SHALL DEMAND A FULL REFUND FOR THIS TRASH

Same here JohnnyT. My battery drains in less than a day to sub 10% and it used to drain to 30-40% left after 2-3 days of not charging prior to the OTA update.

So much for this OTA update. They fixed the GPS problem at the expense of battery usage.

Samsung updates are like the drugs the Big Pharma puts out. You can cure your restless leg syndrome or constantly going syndrome with the new wonder drug but side effects include erectile dysfunction, suicidal thoughts, delyaed backache and a whole other littany of ailments you did not have to begin with.

 

[Big Dog KMc]

Has any of you checked to see if your "Use Wireless Networks" Is on?
I read that the update turns that on by default.

 

[PinkFloyd]

Is there a way to control what apps start up? I tried StartUp Auditor and the free version has only provision to enable or disable up to 5 apps. I guess you have to pay for the other version. Meanwhile my battery is draining like crazy.

For the first time in 2 mos, I am beginning to regret switching to Vibrant. I should have stayed with the Iphone and bought the Iphone 4. This phone has load of problems and Samsung does not give a shiznit to fix them.

 

[gocsun2]

I got OTA upgrade on Friday. Since then my battery is completely drained in 5-6 hrs with very little usage. Before upgrade it will last full day with heavy usage. So I did factory reset hoping that this will fix or least help to resolve, No luck. From 82% chrage to 0% in 4 hrs. Anyone has any idea or suggestion what to do?. It also takes forever to charge the phone and heating up during charging (20% charge in 1 hr, Temp at up to 119 F).

 

[robo21]

I got OTA upgrade on Friday. Since then my battery is completely drained in 5-6 hrs with very little usage. Before upgrade it will last full day with heavy usage. So I did factory reset hoping that this will fix or least help to resolve, No luck. From 82% chrage to 0% in 4 hrs. Anyone has any idea or suggestion what to do?. It also takes forever to charge the phone and heating up during charging (20% charge in 1 hr, Temp at up to 119 F).

I noticed that my battery seemed to drain faster also post update. Even idling on standby it was dropping between 10-20% in 8 hours with no usage.

I just went into settings and selected 2G only and now it drops 3-7% during the same 8 hours (overnight). I also notice an improvement during my workday. If I need Web access for maps or downloads I just switch to auto 3G/2G and I'm good. I used Anycut (free app) to make a shortcut on my homescreen to quickly access the settings.

 

[kiwi1108]

I got OTA upgrade on Friday. Since then my battery is completely drained in 5-6 hrs with very little usage. Before upgrade it will last full day with heavy usage. So I did factory reset hoping that this will fix or least help to resolve, No luck. From 82% chrage to 0% in 4 hrs. Anyone has any idea or suggestion what to do?. It also takes forever to charge the phone and heating up during charging (20% charge in 1 hr, Temp at up to 119 F).

I'm having these same issues. My husband has the same phone and is not having these issues. We've compared line by line all of our settings, running processes, etc. I've tried the take battery out suggestion, I've tried all the standard battery watching recommendations . . . . I haven't tried the reset yet, but I notice that didn't work for you so I'm not sure it would be worth that.

The store suggested I contact support but I know they will only tell me to do the hard reset, so I have some backing up to do before I do that.

One more note . . .I may be wrong, but I honestly don't think the battery issue started until I opened the new Task Manager. I hadn't even noticed that new app until I got home from shopping. My husband told me about it so I opened it . . . it seemed to be shortly after that when I noticed the rapid drain.

PLEASE HELP!!