My smartphone battery drains quickly - how to optimise your Xperia battery consumption

Understanding battery health and performance

Have you noticed how often new smartphone models are thinner than their predecessors? Much of this has only been possible due to advancements in battery technology over the years.

Good things come in small packages 

Traditionally, batteries were large in size. The bigger the battery, the higher the capacity. Lithium-ion batteries on the other hand are smaller in size, but pack a larger capacity than traditional batteries. Battery capacity is measured in milliamp-hours (mAh). Some lithium-ion powered smartphones have a capacity of up to 4000 mAh compared to non-lithium-ion powered phones with capacities up to 950 mAh.

Reduced battery size also means more space and opportunity to add new components. For instance, the extra cameras on some newer phones, or space to add a second SIM card. Together with the power and spacial increases, your Xperia smartphone utilises the latest in lithium-ion technology to deliver improved battery life, faster charging and enhanced durability. 

Old isn't always gold

All rechargeable batteries chemically age. The longer a battery is used or the older it gets, over time the performance can be expected to reduce. This means that as your battery ages, the amount of charge your device holds will reduce. Proactive upkeep will ensure a longer-lasting battery.

Newer models running Android 8 or above utilise Battery Care as an added feature to protect your battery when charging. When enabled, your phone will begin to recognise your charging behaviour and optimise when the battery is charged to 100%. E.g. If you wake up every day at around 8.30 am, and plug in your phone to charge overnight. The speed at which the battery is charged will be slowed down in order to reach 100% charge by 8.30 am. This charging method is highly effective to prevent overcharging.

Battery care: the 4 do's and don'ts 

• Use the original charger that came with your Xperia device.
• Limit exposing your device to extremely hot (37°C or above/direct sunlight) or cold environments (temperatures below 0°C).
• Charge your device just as much as needed. If you leave your device charging for a long time after reaching 100%, it might reduce battery performance (applicable if you do not have Battery Care feature).
• If you plan to store your device for an extended period, charge it between 20 - 80% and then turn it off (Tip: this applies to any device with a rechargeable battery).

Tips to improve Xperia battery life

It is important to understand that the effectiveness of these tips will vary based on the chemical age of your battery.

Important: Some of these tips may not be applicable to all Android versions.

1. ​​​Turn on the battery and power-saving features

• Turn on and set up STAMINA mode.
• Activate Ultra STAMINA mode.
• Activate Battery Care (Applicable to devices running Android 8 and above).

2. Optimise your settings to use less battery

• Reduce the brightness level of the screen.
• Turn on Adaptive brightness to optimise brightness level for the available light.
• Set a shorter sleep time before your screen turns off.
• Turn off Dialpad tones and sounds for screen-locking and touch.
• Turn off sounds and vibrations for the on-screen keyboard.
• Turn off automatic app updates.

3. Turn off connectivity and location services

• Turn off Bluetooth® when you’re not using it.
• Turn off Wi-Fi to prevent your device from using the battery when trying to stay connected in weak coverage situations.
• Turn on Airplane mode to prevent your device from using the battery when trying to stay connected in weak coverage situations. It is also especially useful when you are using your phone but do not require Wi-Fi or data e.g. viewing your albums or when you listen to downloaded music.

4. Avoid or limit high drain activities

High-performance activities might drain your battery more quickly. Examples of high battery consuming activities are:

• Using GPS or showing navigation for long periods.
• Streaming and watching videos and music.
• Playing highly interactive or graphics-heavy games.
• Tethering (“hotspots”).
• Phone calls when you are on the move (like in a car).
• Heavy camera use.
• Using apps for long periods.
• NFC (Near Field Communication) ON when it is not needed.

[Optional] Identify which app or setting is consuming your battery the most

If you have tried the tips above and your battery is still not holding a charge, try to identify whether an app is causing the issue. The process varies across Android versions. Check which Android version your phone is running if you are unsure. If you identify a particular app to be the issue, try changing how you use the app. E.g. YouTube is often a high battery drain activity. If this is the case your battery may not necessarily be affected. Try watching your videos with less brightness. Also, use your earphones or headphones instead of the phone speaker to save battery life.