N5 Battery Life

[lennydude]

I want to give some a heads up on your battery drain.

I was watching my battery usage and although it was OK it still drained faster than I thought it should.

Come to find out, in my case at least, it was my WiFi settings. Even though I had WiFi shut off (at work I get better performance over the air with LTE), it still used a lot of my battery. This never showed up under battery usage so I had no idea.

Being a battery "nut" I kept trying different things such as turning off GPS, reducing screen brightness, etc. Nothing seemed to make a big difference until I bumped into this WiFi issue.

Go to settings, then click on WiFi (do not turn it on or off, just click on it to the left of the on/off toggle). Once open you will see the typical 3 dots. They will be in the lower right of the screen. Click on these dots and a small window will open . Click on "advanced". Go to the item called "scanning always available" and untick this. Even when you do not have WiFi turned on the phone is always scanning for WiFi networks. Obviously this uses a lot of battery. Some of you will want this option but most have no use for it. When you turn on WiFi it will automatically scan for networks. It just take a few seconds instead of having all those networks already found.

To give you an idea of battery usage............ at work I am not able to make calls but can do everything else. I used roughly 50 emails, 15 text messages, and a while on the internet. When I got home my battery was off charge for 8 hours and 33 minutes and showed 91% with the phone only using 9% of my battery.

No doubt your mileage will vary but without the phone constantly looking for WiFi networks, the battery has awesome service

Give it a try. Like I said, your mileage will vary but for me at least I can go to bed with 60% plus battery every night

 

[MartinS]

Thanks, will try it - not that I get bad battery life but more is always better.

 

[Rxpert83]

Its useful for using location services without firing up your GPS. It can actually save battery in that regard.

If you don't use location services, or prefer using the GPS--- turning off always on scanning can certainly help

 

[TechnoJohnUK]

My contract with O2 is almost up (I currently have a HTC Sensation XE) I've been comparing the Nexus 5, along with the LG G2 and the Samsung Galaxy S4. I'm almost set on the Nexus 5, after reading a few negatives about the S4 and although the G2 looks really nice, has a pretty good premium feel to it (Nexus 5 doesn't so much!), the G2 also seems to have a very nice display and a 13MP camera, 2.1MP front camera, but I just could not get to grips with them buttons on the back!!

As mentioned here, I read there was some issues with the battery life (compare the 2 on somewhere like Carphone Warehouse) as the G2 seems to boast a massive 900 hours standby time, where the Nexus 5 only offers 300 hours! With my current HTC developing awful battery issues, I don't really want this to be a concern. Yes of course batteries will drain quicker with heavier use and many other factors such as environmental.

Usage on my current phone - Charge overnight then during the day - bit of facebook, messaging, emails, calendar, news things, ebay etc, possibly a bit of youtube and maybe an afternoon of music - This leaves my phone almost flat by the time I get home from work, possibly going flat if I go out after work, with little time to charge inbetween. I'd rather not have this concern with a brand new phone.

I do like the suggestion of turning off constant Wifi searching though!
So... Should I go for it? O2 are doing the 32GB version

 

[Rxpert83]

My contract with O2 is almost up (I currently have a HTC Sensation XE) I've been comparing the Nexus 5, along with the LG G2 and the Samsung Galaxy S4. I'm almost set on the Nexus 5, after reading a few negatives about the S4 and although the G2 looks really nice, has a pretty good premium feel to it (Nexus 5 doesn't so much!), the G2 also seems to have a very nice display and a 13MP camera, 2.1MP front camera, but I just could not get to grips with them buttons on the back!!

As mentioned here, I read there was some issues with the battery life (compare the 2 on somewhere like Carphone Warehouse) as the G2 seems to boast a massive 900 hours standby time, where the Nexus 5 only offers 300 hours! With my current HTC developing awful battery issues, I don't really want this to be a concern. Yes of course batteries will drain quicker with heavier use and many other factors such as environmental.

Usage on my current phone - Charge overnight then during the day - bit of facebook, messaging, emails, calendar, news things, ebay etc, possibly a bit of youtube and maybe an afternoon of music - This leaves my phone almost flat by the time I get home from work, possibly going flat if I go out after work, with little time to charge inbetween. I'd rather not have this concern with a brand new phone.

I do like the suggestion of turning off constant Wifi searching though!
So... Should I go for it? O2 are doing the 32GB version

The G2 has a MASSIVE battery in it, so thats why it displays such a large standby time on the spec sheet.

With any phone, there are things you can do to mitigate battery usage. On my nexus 5 I haven't had an issue yet where my phone went dead before I'd gotten home for the night. On a weekend when I can push it and not worry about being away from a charger I can get 7 hours of screen on time.

As far as "premium" feel, I'd have to disagree with you there . Especially the black nexus 5 with the soft touch back. I love the feeling of it.

 

[zipred]

I'm using the latest Qualcomm ver 2.0 Snapdragon BatteryGuru App.

Designed specifically for the Snapdragon processor, the increase in battery life I enjoy continues to AMAZE me.

I've installed it in my Nexus 5 as well as in my wife's. The other phone I have that's using it is my Note 3.

This is the first battery app, of all the ones I've tested that truly extends battery life by a very substantial amount. It's the one app that lives up to its claims and more


Snapdragon BatteryGuru | Mobile Technology | Qualcomm Snapdragon Processors

 

[TechnoJohnUK]

I'm using the latest Qualcomm ver 2.0 Snapdragon BatteryGuru App.

Designed specifically for the Snapdragon processor, the increase in battery life I enjoy continues to AMAZE me.

I've installed it in my Nexus 5 as well as in my wife's. The other phone I have that's using it is my Note 3.

This is the first battery app, of all the ones I've tested that truly extends battery life by a very substantial amount. It's the one app that lives up to its claims and more


Snapdragon BatteryGuru | Mobile Technology | Qualcomm Snapdragon Processors

,
Sounds good! I've used a battery saver app before, but not recently. I'm currently using "Lama" - location specific actions. Do you think 2 such apps would conflict?

 

[lennydude]

Interesting...............thanks much for the info. D/loading as I type this. Will give it a try.

To be honest, the battery life from day one has been very good indeed. After I shut off the forever searching WiFi the battery life is outstanding. If it gets better with this app than it is now, wow...............

 

[zipred]

,
Sounds good! I've used a battery saver app before, but not recently. I'm currently using "Lama" - location specific actions. Do you think 2 such apps would conflict?

Yes most likely. I would take it quite seriously and remove any power management apps before installing BatteryGuru.

Unlike many Android Apps, BatteryGuru comes from Qualcomm, the mfg of the Snapdragon Processor. In fact it's the only CPU it works with.

After installation it doesn't do anything except collect data on each individuals phone and builds a profile. This takes 4 to 7 days. Then it goes into action, no user actions required.

All during this process it keeps you well informed, right down to the number of hours until the analysis is complete. This is one very well engineered app.

 

[lukester24]

Useful information. Thanks, Lenny!

 

[zipred]

Interesting...............thanks much for the info. D/loading as I type this. Will give it a try.

To be honest, the battery life from day one has been very good indeed. After I shut off the forever searching WiFi the battery life is outstanding. If it gets better with this app than it is now, wow...............

What is so impressive about BatteryGuru is it turns Wi-Fi on and off as needed. The same goes for GPS.

We're lucky to have the Snapdragon processor so we can use this truly beneficial app. I too was getting very good battery life beforehand. Now it's been increased by a minimum of 35% and more.

 

[spsrinivas30]

I love my new Nexus 5 - 32GB except the battery.

I've done everything advised in sites like switching off bluetooth, turned down brightness, switched to 2g network, in other words made my smart phone "the dumb phone".

The DU battery saver app shows "21 hours remaining" after I charge it completely. The reality is worse. I rarely use the phone although Wi-fi is switched on always and I get roughly 10 hours which I think is pretty bad.

Is there anything more I can do ? Please help.

 

[Rxpert83]

I love my new Nexus 5 - 32GB except the battery.

I've done everything advised in sites like switching off bluetooth, turned down brightness, switched to 2g network, in other words made my smart phone "the dumb phone".

The DU battery saver app shows "21 hours remaining" after I charge it completely. The reality is worse. I rarely use the phone although Wi-fi is switched on always and I get roughly 10 hours which I think is pretty bad.

Is there anything more I can do ? Please help.

Have you turned off location services or have it set to device only? That's probably the biggest drain

I only turn it on when I need it

I don't really believe in battery saving apps myself, but if it seems to work go for it.

 

[spsrinivas30]

Thanks Rxpert83.

I've put location services on battery saving mode. Should I turn that off too ?

 

[MartinS]

My contract with O2 is almost up (I currently have a HTC Sensation XE) I've been comparing the Nexus 5, along with the LG G2 and the Samsung Galaxy S4. I'm almost set on the Nexus 5, after reading a few negatives about the S4 and although the G2 looks really nice, has a pretty good premium feel to it (Nexus 5 doesn't so much!), the G2 also seems to have a very nice display and a 13MP camera, 2.1MP front camera, but I just could not get to grips with them buttons on the back!!

As mentioned here, I read there was some issues with the battery life (compare the 2 on somewhere like Carphone Warehouse) as the G2 seems to boast a massive 900 hours standby time, where the Nexus 5 only offers 300 hours! With my current HTC developing awful battery issues, I don't really want this to be a concern. Yes of course batteries will drain quicker with heavier use and many other factors such as environmental.

Usage on my current phone - Charge overnight then during the day - bit of facebook, messaging, emails, calendar, news things, ebay etc, possibly a bit of youtube and maybe an afternoon of music - This leaves my phone almost flat by the time I get home from work, possibly going flat if I go out after work, with little time to charge inbetween. I'd rather not have this concern with a brand new phone.

I do like the suggestion of turning off constant Wifi searching though!
So... Should I go for it? O2 are doing the 32GB version

I'm using the 16 GB Black version on O2 UK and I'm entirely happy with the battery life. I'd say it's better than my previous HTC One and better than the HTC One X I still use for work. The battery certainly seems the best of any Nexus device (I've had all the phones). So don't worry IMO.

Standby time is not a problem for me as I charge every night. Remember 300 hours is around 12 days!!! do you really need that?

Also build quality is great, it's not Aluminium or whatever else but the N5 certainly doesn't feel none premium.

 

[BynoUK]

All depends on how you use your phone, I'd say during the week I get a good day out of the phone and can go a weekend without charging it. I'd class my self as a medium user, I don't game on it or anything like that.

Love pretty much everything about the phone, deffo the best one I've ever had.

I don't use any battery saving apps etc, just have on what I need when I need it, switching functions off when not required.

 

[Hunter5]

I get pretty good battery life but willing to try anything that is free especially if it will make my battery even better. Question is upon initial install it makes you turn on locations, I clearly understand why but wondering if it is recommended or OK to turn locations off after the 4 or so days of the app "learning your phone"?

 

[Wrend]

I have unlimited mobile data that's faster than my home cable internet/Wi-Fi, so I just turn all the radios off except for mobile data (except for when I want to use them specifically). However, I have enabled tri-band LTE, if that matters (not sure).

I went ahead and got the Snapdragon battery app. to turn off some of the background running of other app's that I don't use too often. I just got it though, so we'll see how that works.

What really eats up the battery capacity for me is playing 3D games or running benchmarks. Watching movies does too, but to a lesser extent.

Attached image is my current charge after just getting and installing this app. (not sure how much it can improve upon this, but I'm curious to see none the less).

 

[mmoy]

In general, we have a model where we usually have charging available so battery life isn't as big an issue for us.

 

[Ranhead]

All depends on how you use your phone, I'd say during the week I get a good day out of the phone and can go a weekend without charging it. I'd class my self as a medium user, I don't game on it or anything like that.

Love pretty much everything about the phone, deffo the best one I've ever had.

I don't use any battery saving apps etc, just have on what I need when I need it, switching functions off when not required.

I'm having a similar experience...

Although I do game sometimes, and Plants vs Zombies 2 kills the battery. I use about 50% of battery for forty minutes of play. I have undervolted and underclocked the CPU and even tried underclocking the GPU, but haven't noticed much of a difference.

 

[JBentleyR]

I'm using the latest Qualcomm ver 2.0 Snapdragon BatteryGuru App.

Designed specifically for the Snapdragon processor, the increase in battery life I enjoy continues to AMAZE me.

I've installed it in my Nexus 5 as well as in my wife's. The other phone I have that's using it is my Note 3.

This is the first battery app, of all the ones I've tested that truly extends battery life by a very substantial amount. It's the one app that lives up to its claims and more

Thanks for that, Zipred. I've just downloaded this.

Btw, I've just joined this forum. Hi!

 

[lennydude]

Thanks for that, Zipred. I've just downloaded this.

Btw, I've just joined this forum. Hi!

Hi there

The N5 is easily the best phone I personally have ever owned. It does everything I like to do with a phone and does things extremely well.

As we have said, running stock it gets awesome battery life, with a few simple things you can get unreal battery life

 

[Rxpert83]

Thanks for that, Zipred. I've just downloaded this.

Btw, I've just joined this forum. Hi!

Welcome to the forums

 

[JBentleyR]

Thanks for the welcomes, chaps!

 

[happydundee]

I am liking the Snapdragon Battery guru app. ideal for all Snapdragon processors. It works after some training
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xiam.snapdragon.app