The Iphone is the cool gadget of the times. And proof of that is that when I wanted to go look at (buy 
) one recently I found that both Tampa Apple stores and all local AT&T stores were out of the Iphone 3G. Damn.
But, the device is not without issues and one of those issues is battery life.
The new Iphone 3G is said to be worse than the original when it comes to battery lifespan. One local tech blogger I talked to (Robert Nelson from Gadgetell) said he uses the Iphone 3G as an alarm to get him up in the morning. Going to bed fully charged, he said the battery had about 25% life left when he woke up in the morning. Just sitting there.
No doubt, the big screen, integrated GPS, and the phone constantly having data pushed to it and checking for new messages – all these things are a big drain on the battery. Making it even more annoying, too, that the battery is not user replaceable.
But, what can you do to extend the life of your battery? Or perhaps make it less of an issue?
- Turn off 3G. Yeah, it might suck but it will save battery.
- Disable the GPS when not in use.
- Change how often the phone checks for new messages
- Remove some of the email accounts if you have multiple accounts set up. The more accounts it has to check, the more busy the phone will be.
- Pull, don’t push your data. You don’t need to use push email. You can choose to manually download it.
- Turn off wifi when not in use.
- Turn off Bluetooth if you’re not using it.
- Use Airplane Mode, which is designed to keep the phone from search for cell networks when it can’t find any. Phones often drain down fast when sitting in low service areas because they are constantly looking for a network to connect to.
- Lower the screen brightness
- Turn off the sounds that are made when you press on the iPhone keyboard. This can be done in the Sounds pane of settings.
Apple also recommends that, at least once per month, you completely drain down your battery and recharge. If you never let your battery completely die, it can reduce the lifespan of your battery.
Mophie also has a battery extender called the Juice Pack. It is an interesting little contraption. You slide the Iphone into it and it connects via the docking port. The Juice Pack is rated for up to an additional 250 hours of standby time, 8 hours of talk time, 6 hours of internet use, 7 hours of video playback, and 24 hours of audio playback. The only problem is that the Juice Pack is only compatible with the first generation Iphone, not the 3G.
There is also the 3G Juice, which is compatible with the Iphone 3G. Kensington makes an option, too, which you can see over on Amazon.com.
The market will devise a solution, but it is still surprising to me that Apple released the second version of the Iphone still having no solution to the short battery life. It wouldn’t be as much an issue if it was user replaceable, but it isn’t. You have to send the phone to Apple for a replacement battery (for a charge, of course). If there is an Achilles heal to the lofty Iphone, this is it.
In the long run, though, is this going to keep people from using the Iphone 3G? Yeah, right.
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