Debating on the extended battery. Please share your experience.

[finn5975]

I am contemplating getting the extended battery despite the added size. Can anyone please share their experience with it? Would you recommend? Do you feel the increase justifies the size? Finally, does the larger housing cause any issues with the flash when using the camera? I remember on phones I used in the past....some cases would deflect the flash and ruin pics. Thanks!!

 

[Nolesfan]

I would say with 100% certainty to get the extended battery. It is quite a bit heavier, but the size and weight are worth it. There's no issue with the camera, actually I find it a benefit since it protects the lens. I can use my phone as much as I want and leave 4g on with no issues. I only need my phone to get me through 1 day since I charge it every night, but I wasn't getting 8 hours from the standard battery.

 

[thornev]

Only down side I found with the extended battery is that in certain, bright lighting conditions, when I take a picture, bright light can reflect off the side of the battery cover. The final picture hence has the reflection.

 

[finn5975]

Only down side I found with the extended battery is that in certain, bright lighting conditions, when I take a picture, bright light can reflect off the side of the battery cover. The final picture hence has the reflection.

Uh oh, that is exactly the concern that I had. In the past with the iphone, certain covers didnt have a large enough cut-out for the sensor/led flash and it reflected the flash into the picture. In this case you are actually seeing bright light as the cause. Hmmmm....

 

[RottnJP]

Hmm... I've never noticed that personally- Pictures have been all coming out well for me...

I think I'd want to see proof of that effect with this case... I have a hard time envisioning the LED reflection either hitting the subject of the photo, or bouncing back into the lens. The case also has a matte finish.

I suppose maybe its possible, but I've never noticed it if it's happening.

In terms of the power, I like it. Phone feels solid in the hand with the ex battery, and you don't have to worry about forgetting to charge it in the evening. That having been said, with just a little tweaking the regular battery goes all day for me no problem, so if the case-reflection issue concerns you, it's not like the stock battery is deficient.

 

[denmalley]

I'll weigh in from the opposite camp - bought the extended battery and used it for two days before returning it. The tradeoff of size didn't make it worth it to me. I bought an extra regular battery to tote around when I'm going to be out for longer periods of time.

However, to each his own - I'd say get it and try it. Return it if you don't like it. Didn't cost me a thing to try it out.

 

[jski711]

Extended battery rocks. I keep my phone in my Pocket all day and barely notice the difference. If you prefer tight fitting pants I could see it being an issue but that's not the case for most men.

 

[thornev]

I think I'd want to see proof of that effect with this case... I have a hard time envisioning the LED reflection either hitting the subject of the photo, or bouncing back into the lens. The case also has a matte finish.

It's not the camera flash that causes the problem. It was the bright theater lights that were shining at my phone at just the right angle apparently to cause the reflection.

 

[schimm]

I'm trying the regular battery for a couple of days for the heck of it. If I switch over to it permanently I wasted $25, big deal.

BTW I was measuring signal strength with the regular battery. Left by itself without it being held it may be a few dBms better than the extended case. It is about 15 dBms better than the Gnex. This at work where I was getting about -94 to -96 dBms with the Gnex. And I'm describing CDMA here. If in fact the standard case is slightly better it hardly matters as the big battery is more than sufficient to make up for any battery drain the slightly worse signal creates. I'll be sure to test the big battery in the same spot if I switch out again.

 

[Jcdrummr]

I haven't experienced any camera problems, and that was a huge concern for me. I will say though that the "pocket" surrounding the camera lens does tend to catch dust and lint. Not enough to be a big problem, just something to think about.

The weight isn't awful coming from a Touch Pro 2, but its noticeably hefty. I though people were CRAZY for calling the standard Rez "heavy", but with the extended battery, I do notice it more. (especially when trying to read the news or play games in bed for any substantial period of time)

NONE of that matters though, because a standard battery simply couldn't get me through a day. I'm of the belief that you spent $2-300 on a powerful phone, you pay a ton per month to use it, so you shouldn't limit the processor, screen, 4g, etc. I've come down from that a little, but I still want to use this phone for all its worth. So, given that, here has been my experience with each battery:
Standard, moderate use, high power: Atrocious
Standard, moderate use, power saving (no 4g, low screen brightness, etc): Bad
Extended, moderate use, high power: Serviceable
Extended, moderate use, power saving: Great
Extended, light use, power saving: RIDICULOUS

That has just been my experience, so it depends on your use (obviously). For me it doesn't come down to whether the heft and size is "worth it". I see it as necessary for my daily use, so I accept the heft and move on to enjoy this badass device.

Good luck with the decision.

 

[ckar]

I have had the extended battery for a week + and really think it's a must. The extra heft isn't too bad. However, make sure to bump charge the thing a few times. I'm not sure why, but it seems like mine took a week or so to loosen up and really start lasting for a long time. I unplug mine at 6am and it lasts until bed time with no problem. On the standard battery I was only getting 6 hours or so. I think the biggest drain on my battery, other than the screen, has been the poor cell service at my home. If the RZ isn't getting a solid signal it'll chew up the power!

 

[WolfBoi]

I just got one today at the local Verizon corporate store. Was on sale for half price ($30). It's thicker, but I must say they did a great job with the back cover. I will only know after I have had a chance to test it, but I was only getting about 6 hours standby with the stock battery. I use a lot of apps that have active data though, so I suspect my case is a little worse than others may be.

 

[finn5975]

Everyone's feedback has been extremely helpful and I thank you. I think I am going to go with the extended battery too. Are those of you using an extended battery doing so without using a case?

 

[thornev]

Everyone's feedback has been extremely helpful and I thank you. I think I am going to go with the extended battery too. Are those of you using an extended battery doing so without using a case?

Yes.

 

[ckar]

I bought the hard rubber case from the Verizon store and carved out a hole in the back just like the ones you can buy from htcpedia. Works perfectly without adding additional thickness. Use a very sharp razor blade and take your time, though!

 

[RottnJP]

It's not the camera flash that causes the problem. It was the bright theater lights that were shining at my phone at just the right angle apparently to cause the reflection.

Oh, O.K..... I guess I could see how that could happen, since it is shooting out of a tunnel- There is *some* angle at which bright enough external lights could reflect in.

But I guess that begs the question- If the lights are than bright, is the tunnel potentially helpful in reducing glare from direct impingement of the same bright lights, at other angles... Like a shade? <shrug>

I do see what you mean, though.

 

[RottnJP]

Everyone's feedback has been extremely helpful and I thank you. I think I am going to go with the extended battery too. Are those of you using an extended battery doing so without using a case?

I got one of the cutout TPO cases from HTCPedia. I do have an experiment in mind, though, to see if I can mod a Otterbox and have it do what I want...

 

[Smokey Joe]

Everyone's feedback has been extremely helpful and I thank you. I think I am going to go with the extended battery too. Are those of you using an extended battery doing so without using a case?

I bought the extended battery(worth it for all above stated reasons) and also use the hard shell case/holster combo. It does add a bit more to the bulkyness but for me it is not an issue as I have large hands anyways. The case/holster combo also has a kickstand as well! So, even with the case and extra battery I still carry this beast in my pocket when not working with no uncomfortableness! (And no camera issues either... and I take alot of pics!) Good luck and enjoy!

 

[finn5975]

Well, I got my extended battery from Verizon. Phone feels good in the hand and still readily fits in my pocket. Only dislike would be appearance. It looks pretty bad when laying flat on its back. But you'll have that when almost doubling the juice!

 

[lowlyworm]

I got my Rezound and extended battery on the same day and never used the standard battery. I used the VZW fully enclosed sleve over New Year's and took a bunch of pictures with no problems. I switched to the VZW cover and holster yesterday, and it has a taller raised area around the camera lens and flash. I took a few pictures and still didn't notice any flash backlash.

 

[Icyman]

I got my Rezound and extended battery on the same day and never used the standard battery. I used the VZW fully enclosed sleve over New Year's and took a bunch of pictures with no problems. I switched to the VZW cover and holster yesterday, and it has a taller raised area around the camera lens and flash. I took a few pictures and still didn't notice any flash backlash.

Same here, no problems with flash reflection with VZW case/holster. I always has issues with the case/flash on my iPhone 4.

I don't know how you guys with the standard battery make it through a whole day. Even with the extended battery, I usually have to charge it once before 5pm. But then mine isn't a glorified hip ornament.

In VA, 4G is 11 times faster than 3G.
I accidentally dropped my phone from 5 feet, it stayed in the Case. I was amazed. and I don't plan on "testing" it again.

 

[finn5975]

I don't know how you guys with the standard battery make it through a whole day. Even with the extended battery, I usually have to charge it once before 5pm. But then mine isn't a glorified hip ornament.

I'd have to think no one could make it close to lasting the entire day on a standard battery. At least if they use the phone the way I do. I guess that is the big difference. I keep my brightness level cranked, have it set at the power performance, and I use my phone a lot. But why wouldnt ya? Thats why we pay what we pay and even take the time to talk about them on a forum

 

[trojanchick99]

I bought the extended battery for days I will not be near a charger. For regular work days I can charge at my desk. For me the extended battery is too bulky for every day use.

 

[budmonster]

Can anyone recommend a good case for me? I'm thinking about getting an ext battery but I already have this silicone case from VZW. Will take it back but wanted to find a ext batter case.

 

[schimm]

Anyone got a fast and easy technique for removing the cover? That tiny notch in the bottom is ridiculous.