Does your phone charge faster on low power mode?
Wouldn't it be great if there was a smartphone battery that offered infinite power and didn't require overnight charging or urgent on-the-go top-ups? While that might be the stuff of science fiction, there's a way to make your smartphone's battery last longer: Low Power Mode (LPM).
Whether your phone is running low on juice or you have a long day ahead with no access to power, LPM can help you maximize your device's life so you can stay connected with the people and things you love.
Understanding smartphone charging
When you plug your phone into a power outlet or place it on a wireless charger, many factors affect how quickly it charges. Charging speed comes down to a mixture of power and smarts. Think of your charger as the horsepower — the higher, the faster — while the cable and connector quality ensure the power flows smoothly and safely.
Your phone's hardware determines how much power can be taken in. Add in the size of your phone's battery, temperature and software — some settings intentionally slow down charging to protect the battery — and you have a complex process. Even the power source affects how power flows. For example, USB ports are like a trickling stream, while wall outlets are like fire hoses.
The amount of power your phone can take in is determined by its hardware, battery size, temperature and software settings. Certain settings may intentionally slow down charging to protect the battery. Even the power source, such as USB ports and wall outlets, can also affect how power flows. For example, USB ports are like a trickling stream, while wall outlets are like fire hoses.
What does low power mode do?
Low Power Mode reduces the amount of power your phone uses. In this mode, your phone may lower the screen brightness, prevent access to resource-intensive apps or stop automatic downloads.
When it comes to optimizing power, iOS and Android have unique spins on low battery mode. On iPhones, LPM reduces background activity, slows performance to conserve energy and dims the screen. While Android's Battery Saver does similar things, it also adjusts settings, such as limiting location services and reducing vibration.
If you've heard Low Power Mode can harm your battery or slow your phone down, don't worry — these are myths. Whether you're team iOS or Android, LPM only temporarily adjusts settings to keep your phone alive for longer without any long-term impact.
Impact of low power mode on charging speed
Low Power Mode can be a lifesaver when your phone's battery percentage is running low. It can help your phone charge faster by cutting down on power-hungry features and background processes, allowing the incoming charge to go straight to the battery. However, using Low Power Mode can affect your phone's overall performance, causing a lag when editing videos, playing games or streaming media. Some features like email deliveries or automatic downloads may also be disabled or limited during low power mode.
Practical tips for charging efficiency
LPM is useful for squeezing out the last bit of battery life, but its usefulness doesn't stop there. Follow these tips to maximize charging efficiency:
- Rely on it during a low battery emergency: If the battery life is less than 20%, activate LPM to stretch out the remaining power and help it charge faster when plugged in.
- Use it for quick top-ups: Put LPM to work during those quick charging sessions to maximize the efficiency of the charge.
- Keep battery life between 20% and 80%: Regularly charge between these levels to prolong the battery life.
Be cautious of heat: Avoid heavy use while charging, and charge your phone in cool conditions.
Other ways to optimize your phone's battery life
Keep your battery life at optimal levels and reduce the need for frequent charging with several clever tricks. Follow these tips to optimize your phone's battery life during use.
- Brightness: Keeping the brightness down or setting it to automatically adjust can have a big impact on battery life.
- Unnecessary features: Turn off unnecessary power-hogging features, such as GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, when your phone isn't in use.
Push notifications: These alerts can drain your battery, so keep them to a minimum by adjusting the alert settings in social media, email and other applications.
When to consider a new phone
At some point, every smartphone needs to be replaced due to battery degradation. Typically, a modern phone battery has a lifespan of 2-3 years. That's about 300-500 charge cycles, although these figures vary between manufacturers and models. After that, the battery's capacity can drop by roughly 20%. Key signs of this degradation include overheating during charging, significantly slower charging and inconsistent charging behavior. If you notice these problems, it could be time to upgrade.
The lowdown on low power mode
Using Low Power Mode strategically can help you get the most out of your phone's battery and its lifespan. LPM is more than just a battery saver. It's a handy tool for optimizing charging speed under certain conditions and ensuring you're always connected to who and what matters.
Whether you have a low battery emergency or need a quick top-up, activating LPM can speed up charging and get your phone back up to a healthy percentage fast. To charge on the go, check out our mobile accessories buyers guide.
