The Extended Battery Overview thread!
Reviews and testing of aftermarket BL-44JN extended batteries by myself and others on AndroidForums
Reviews and testing of aftermarket BL-44JN extended batteries by myself and others on AndroidForums
Hey folks! One of the biggest problems with the LG Connect is the battery: Although the stock LG 1500 mAh battery is decent enough quality wise, 1500 mAh just isn't enough for this phone. Plus, the temperatures get way out of hand with the stock battery. So, I decided to combine all the batteries and discussion about them from these forums with some solid testing I did on some of them with an industry grade tester.
It's worth buying a battery just for the temperatures: most aftermarket batteries do not have the overheating problem that the stock LG battery has. In terms of runtime, there really isn't a worthy Slim extended battery at this point, but it seems like the thick batteries with the cases do actually help you get through the day on a single charge.
I hope this helps! Be sure to reply with any additional information you have and I'll try to work it into my post.
Thread info,my test methods, disclaimers, etc:
- Testing was done with a Cadex C7400ER. I simply set the machine to Auto, which charges and discharges the battery to the specified capacity twice and reports the results as a percentage of the specified capacity. This gives me the actual capacity for each battery.
- If you see a battery on the web you want tested, PM me and I'll see what I can do. If it's cheap enough, I'll buy it for myself and report my findings. Otherwise, I'll take donations
- Disclaimer: I may have gotten a dud, all of the batteries I condemn may actually be really awesome and I just got a bad one. That said, I browse these forums alot and generally my opinion reflects that of other owners around here. They probably just suck.
- I'll add any other feedback on batteries from around AndroidForums as I come about it.
- Thread History:
2/13/12: Added the bestmatch BL-44JS + kanaida testimonial. Will add machine tests when I recieve the battery
7/15/12: Thread Created with 4 Slim batteries. No Extended batteries yet.
Slim Batteries
Stock/OEM LG 1500 mAhRated Capacity: 1500 mAh
Tested/Actual Capacity: 1500 mah
Thoughts/Verdict: Stock LG Batteries are, at the very least, true to their ratings: You get what it says in the specs. This is probably your best bet in terms of a battery right now; none of these "extended" slim batteries come remotely close.
Mugen 1800 mAhRated Capacity: 1800 mAh
Tested/Actual Capacity: ?
Percent compared to stock: ?
Thoughts/Verdict: Way too expensive. I'm not going to buy one to test, and it looks like others haven't been either. Not worth it even if it turns out to be 1800 mAh. Do Not Buy.
BestMatch 1900mAh BL-44JSRated Capacity: 1900 mAh
Tested/Actual Capacity: ~1050 mAh (~55% of 1900)
Capacity as % of stock LG battery: 70%
Other Reviews/Testing:
- Kainada reports that after a few charge cycles, battery lasts consistently longer than stock
Thoughts/Verdict: Garbage. Complete and utter garbage. TWO batteries tested at just over half their rated capacities after two full charge cycles. Do NOT buy.
Feipusi 1900mAh
Buy Links:
ECell via Amazon | ~$13 | Ships from UK
Bessky via Ebay | ~$6 | Ships from China
(2 Pack + Charger) Bessky via Ebay | ~$16 | Ships from China
Rated Capacity: 1900 mAhECell via Amazon | ~$13 | Ships from UK
Tested/Actual Capacity: ~1300 mAh (69% of 1900 mAh)
Capacity as % of stock LG battery: 85% Runtime
Thoughts/Verdict: Not even close to it's rated 1900 mAh. Do not buy if you're looking for an actual extended battery. That said, two of these with external charger for $16 isn't bad, so if you're looking for a couple of spare regular batteries, this isn't the worst deal—just don't expect any improvement.
Gold 2430mAh Business BatteryRated Capacity: 2430 mAh
Tested/Actual Capacity: ~1200 mAh (49% of 2430 mAh)
Capacity as % of stock LG battery: 80% Runtime
Other Reviews/Testing:
- Review of a different GOLD battery by d33ps1x @ XDA shows "underachievement of the ECell Gold compared to it's advertised capacity"
- Brian1984's Usage Stats: Not too much better than stock
Thoughts/Verdict: Disgustingly bad; clocks in at about half of what it should be, making it far worse than even the stock LG battery that came with the phone. Do not buy this battery under any circumstances. It's priced like an extended battery but runs like something from a flea market.
Gold 2680mAh Business BatteryRated Capacity: 2680 mAh
Tested/Actual Capacity: ?
Capacity as % of stock LG battery: ?
Other Reviews/Testing:
Review of a different GOLD battery by d33ps1x @ XDA shows "underachievement of the ECell Gold compared to it's advertised capacity"
Thoughts/Verdict: No conclusive test data or testimonials yet, but I wouldn't fall for this. If it's anything like the GOLD battery above, it's going to be slightly worse than the stock LG battery... certainly not extended-life.