We all know how frustrating it can be when our cell phones run out of battery. We rely on them for many things, from keeping in touch with friends and family to managing our work lives. Mobile devices have become an integral part of our daily lives and it is no wonder that we spend a lot of time on our phones. But what is draining our phones’ battery life? And which apps are the biggest culprits?
To understand why some apps drain batteries faster than others, we need to look at how mobile batteries work.
Cell phone batteries are usually composed of lithium-ion (Li-ion) or lithium-polymer (Li-po) cells. These batteries are rechargeable and can store large amounts of energy in a small space. Lithium-ion batteries are preferred because they are lightweight and have a high energy density. Cell phone battery life depends on several factors such as battery capacity, screen size, processor and usage pattern.
Battery capacity
The higher the battery capacity, the more energy it can store and the longer the battery life will last. However, if the phone has a larger screen or a more powerful processor, it may require more power to operate, which can reduce battery life.
Screen size
The larger the screen size, the more power it takes to turn on the screen. Higher resolution screens with more pixels also require more power. This means that a phone with a larger screen may have a shorter battery life compared to a phone with a smaller screen.
Processor:
The processor is the brain of the phone and determines how fast it can perform tasks. More powerful processors require more power, which can reduce battery life.
Usage pattern
How you use your phone can also affect its battery life. For example, streaming videos or playing games can be more taxing on the battery compared to browsing social networks or sending text messages. Also, leaving your phone on standby for long periods of time can also drain the battery.
According to a survey conducted by RescueTime, the average person spends about 3 hours and 15 minutes on the phone every day. This number is likely to be higher for younger generations who grew up with mobile devices. The more time you spend on your phone, the more your battery drains. Also, some apps can drain your battery faster than others.
So what types of apps drain your phone’s battery faster? There are several types of apps that we use on our mobile devices, and they all have different effects on battery life. In general, any application that requires a lot of processing power will have an impact on your device’s performance as well as its overall battery life, such as gaming applications or video streaming services such as Netflix or YouTube. Other popular applications such as Google Maps, GPS navigation systems, music players, and photo editing programs also consume large amounts of power due to their graphics-intensive requirements.
Here are some of the most common types of applications:
Social media apps
Social media apps like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are very popular, but they are also known as battery hogs. These apps are constantly updating in the background, which can quickly drain your battery.
Video streaming apps
Video streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube can also drain your battery quickly. These apps require a lot of processing power and data usage, which can drain your battery faster.
Game applications
Gaming apps can also use a lot of battery. These apps require a lot of processing power and graphics, which can quickly drain your battery.
Productivity apps
Productivity apps, such as email, calendar, and note-taking apps, typically require less battery. However, if you have a lot of notifications turned on, these apps can still drain your battery quickly.
To compare the impact of popular apps on mobile batteries, let’s take two examples: Snapchat and Instagram. Both are widely used by millions of people worldwide, but Snapchat is known to be more resource-intensive than Instagram because it uses augmented reality (AR) features for filters, etc., while Instagram does not use AR technology at all. This means that Snapchat is likely to put a greater strain on your device’s resources, resulting in shorter periods between charges compared to Instagram.
According to Avast’s study, the most battery-draining apps are Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat, and Instagram. These apps are constantly updating in the background and use a lot of processing power, which can quickly drain your battery. Other battery-draining apps include Call of Duty, YouTube, and Google Maps.
To give you an idea of ​​how much battery different apps use, here’s a comparison of some popular apps:
| Appendix: | Battery usage |
| High | |
| Snapchat: | High |
| Instagram: | High |
| Twitter: | High |
| Netflix: | High |
| YouTube: | High |
| Candy Crush | Average: |
| Pokémon GO: | High |
| Google Maps | High |
| Gmail: | Low |
| Microsoft Word | Low |
Here are some tips to help reduce battery usage on your mobile device:
- Turn off unused features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS when not in use.
- Reduce screen brightness and timeout.
- Close apps when not in use.
- Turn off notifications for non-essential apps.
- Use battery saving modes if available.
- Delete unused apps.
You can also read our article on how to reduce battery usage on your mobile device here.
If you are someone who spends a lot of time on your phone, you may want to consider a device with a larger battery capacity. Here are some mobile devices of different brands with higher battery capacity.
| Device: | Battery capacity |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | 5000 mAh |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | 3687 mAh |
| OnePlus 9 Pro | 4500 mAh |
| Google Pixel 5 | 4080 mAh |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra | 5000 mAh |
Mobile devices have become an important part of our daily lives, but the more time we spend on our phones, the more we drain our batteries. Some apps can drain our batteries faster than others, so it’s important to know which apps use the most battery. By following the tips in this article and considering a device with a larger battery capacity, you can improve your overall battery life.
Question. What is causing my phone’s battery life to decrease?
Answer: Your phone’s battery life decreases mainly due to usage patterns, the age of the device and the type of apps you use, as well as the amount of time you use the phone each day for various activities such as gaming or video streaming.
H. Can using dark mode on my phone help save battery life?
Answer: Yes, using dark mode can help save battery life, especially if you have an OLED or AMOLED display. This is because dark pixels require less power to display than light pixels.
H. Does closing background apps help save battery life?
A: Yes, closing apps in the background can help save battery life. This is because apps running in the background can still use processing power and data, which can drain your battery.
Question. Can using a battery saver app help improve battery life?
A: Yes, using a battery saver app can help improve battery life. These apps can help you figure out which apps are using the most battery and give you tips on how to save battery life. However, it is important to be careful when using these apps as they may not be efficient and may even drain your battery more.