iPhone battery

[matticus008]

Simple question for people with cell phones. Have you ever replaced a battery in your cell phone? For the purposes here, exclude replacements for defective/recalled batteries and people who carry an extra battery and swap them.

I'm asking because the last time I remember having to buy a battery for a phone was 1997 or 98. I'm trying to see the advantage. I understand the desire for people with phones without reset buttons, and for people who carry extra batteries for swapping. And I certainly understand the Apple-bashers. But are there any other reasons?

Those of us considered high-phone-use professional/business types established those habits before car chargers and when charging phones took hours. I was once part of that crowd, but now Starbucks and airplanes have power outlets, and batteries can be charged to 80% within an hour. The only need for a spare battery these days is psychological.

 

[imacdaddy]

Simple question for people with cell phones. Have you ever replaced a battery in your cell phone? For the purposes here, exclude replacements for defective/recalled batteries and people who carry an extra battery and swap them.

Since 1995, I've never replaced or needed a second battery for all of my phones. I keep a charger at home and at work for my phone and ipod anyway and charge them every other day or so. There won't be a need for me to remove/replace the iPhone battery. It won't be an issue for me.

 

[BWhaler]

I have two extra batteries and need them often.

I am a global CEO who is constantly on the road. I can easily burn through two batteries a day, and because I will often travel to numerous countries on a single trip and may not have chargers for each country in my bag, I need extra batteries.

Honestly, 5 hours of talk time is nothing for a guy like me. Sure, I do not represent the mass market, but my segment does exist, and generally is the target market for a $600 phone.

 

[EricNau]

I have never replaced one of my cell phone's batteries, nor have I ever needed to, nor do I ever expect to.

Those of us considered high-phone-use professional/business types established those habits before car chargers and when charging phones took hours. I was once part of that crowd, but now Starbucks and airplanes have power outlets, and batteries can be charged to 80% within an hour. The only need for a spare battery these days is psychological.

Just thought I should point out, airplanes don't usually have power outlets, but even if they did, they definitely aren't for charging cell phones, as cell phone use is illegal on all planes.

 

[gauchogolfer]

Just thought I should point out, airplanes don't usually have power outlets, but even if they did, they definitely aren't for charging cell phones, as cell phone use is illegal on all planes.

Unless you're using it in 'Airplane Mode' like my phone does, to get access to the phone book, for example, while working on a laptop. Or, in the iPhone case, to watch a few episodes of Lost .

 

[EricNau]

Unless you're using it in 'Airplane Mode' like my phone does, to get access to the phone book, for example, while working on a laptop. Or, in the iPhone case, to watch a few episodes of Lost .

True, but with the exception of watching TV shows or movies (which no phone on the market currently has), I can't think of a reason why you'd need to charge your phone in flight (because the most draining activity for the battery is talking, which is prohibited).

Not to mention some airlines (including Delta) ban the use of all cell phones during flight, airplane mode or not.

 

[Rojo]

Just thought I should point out, airplanes don't usually have power outlets, but even if they did, they definitely aren't for charging cell phones, as cell phone use is illegal on all planes.

Speaking of...
Do we know whether the iPhone's phone function can be turned off and used simply as an iPod? My current nano saves my life on long flights, and I'd hate to think I couldn't use the iPhone's iPod functions on a plane, since it's considered a phone. (EDIT: Looks like some phones have an "airplane mode" but some airlines ban them anyway. That really sucks. Guess I shouldn't get rid of my nano when/if I get an iPhone).

I'm also curious how the 5 hours of talk time/16 hours of music playback actually works. For example, if I'm listening to music only on the iPhone for, say, over 12 hours, will I still have 5 hours of talk time available -- or will it be much less, like 1 hour instead? Do we know if there's actually two batteries for each function as what was rumored before the actual iPhone announcement?

 

[bousozoku]

I bought the extended battery to supplement the standard battery, as the battery life of many flip phones is low. My StarTac was the last decent one. I'd like to think that my extra battery is psychological only but I've had a time or two when I needed to switch because there wasn't a convenient place to charge it.

Considering that the iPhone has a long, slim battery most likely, 5 hours seems possible. However, those estimates are usually optimistic and Apple has a habit of giving the best scenario possible for battery life. I don't think it would be a huge problem but I'm guessing that using the iPhone to its fullest will leave you without a phone frequently.

Too bad there isn't a standard for testing.

 

[mojohanna]

I have never replaced one of my cell phone's batteries, nor have I ever needed to, nor do I ever expect to.


Just thought I should point out, airplanes don't usually have power outlets, but even if they did, they definitely aren't for charging cell phones, as cell phone use is illegal on all planes.

Actually, many airplanes have power outlets. Its just that you have to either be on an international flight in a premium seat or in business class (and by the way a plane that is newer than the 30 year old trash cans that NWA flies), or on a domestic flight in first class.

I have not been in first class on a domestic flight in some time and I don't recall for sure if there are power outlets, but I am certain that in business class international flights there are. And charging a phone on a plane is not a problem as you dont have to turn it on to charge it.

 

[matticus008]

I can't think of a reason why you'd need to charge your phone in flight (because the most draining activity for the battery is talking, which is prohibited).

Not to mention some airlines (including Delta) ban the use of all cell phones during flight, airplane mode or not.

No, they don't. I was forced to fly Delta once and I was able to work on my smartphone without consequence (obviously in flight mode). The reason for inflight charging is simple: the battery is low, and since you can't receive phone calls, the few hours of downtime is the PERFECT opportunity to charge the phone.

Honestly, 5 hours of talk time is nothing for a guy like me. Sure, I do not represent the mass market, but my segment does exist, and generally is the target market for a $600 phone.

You don't represent the market for this $600 phone. If your job requires constant phone calls, you need a dedicated phone that can deliver. Believe me, there was a time when I carried a handful of batteries for various portable devices and was tethered to anything that transmitted data. Now, I have a more relaxed schedule, and here's what I've learned: a one hour break every 4 hours from the phone is a welcome one, sort of like how my car reminds me to stop to rest every few hours on long trips. I have never been away from a power outlet for longer than the battery life of my phone.

Even if you fly weekly, airline power adapters are standardized, and if you fly as frequently as it seems, you could charge on the plane. It's trivial to include the correct adapter for the country that serves as your ultimate destination and do the rest of the charging on the plane.

Just thought I should point out, airplanes don't usually have power outlets, but even if they did, they definitely aren't for charging cell phones, as cell phone use is illegal on all planes.

I've not been on a plane in quite some time that did not have a power outlet at my seat. What I choose to charge with that outlet is not regulated by anyone. So long as the wireless modes are disabled, I can plug in as many cell phones as I can carry. Those of us with the need to stay connected and the actual need for $500+ phones also have the means to make appropriate arrangements for travel and to provide global service where needed.

 

[MacCheetah3]

Hi

Speaking of...
Do we know whether the iPhone's phone function can be turned off and used simply as an iPod? My current nano saves my life on long flights, and I'd hate to think I couldn't use the iPhone's iPod functions on a plane, since it's considered a phone. (EDIT: Looks like some phones have an "airplane mode" but some airlines ban them anyway. That really sucks. Guess I shouldn't get rid of my nano when/if I get an iPhone).

It does / will have an "Airplane Mode."

 

[EricNau]

No, they don't. I was forced to fly Delta once and I was able to work on my smartphone without consequence (obviously in flight mode). The reason for inflight charging is simple: the battery is low, and since you can't receive phone calls, the few hours of downtime is the PERFECT opportunity to charge the phone.

I have been on 4 Delta flights within the past few months and each time they made it explicitly clear that all cell phones must be completely powered off during the entire flight.

With that in mind, assuming I charged my phone before my trip, and kept it off during the flight, it would still be completely charged when I got to my destination.

Of course one exception to that concept might be if you used your phone during a layover, but many times you can find an outlet at the airport and charge it then.

...I guess I just don't see the point of charging a cell phone in flight. Without voice or data connection a phone is essentially useless (assuming you have a laptop with you).

 

[MacCheetah3]

Hi
Interesting concept. The only time I've replaced cell phone batteries is when I purchased used handsets, which makes complete sense.

Of course, I've also never purchased a replacement portable computer ( laptop ) battery either. I had one replaced under the APP but otherwise, sold my computer before I required such. For what reason? Batteries are not cheap.

 

[matticus008]

I have been on 4 Delta flights within the past few months and each time they made it explicitly clear that all cell phones must be completely powered off during the entire flight.

Because cell phones don't have a flight mode. You can "completely power off" the phone function on a smartphone and still use the PDA functions. This is permitted by every airline in the United States per FARs.

With that in mind, assuming I charged my phone before my trip, and kept it off during the flight, it would still be completely charged when I got to my destination.

Most people who worry about battery depletion will have been on the phone for the entire two hours before their trip, nearly all of the three hour layover, and perhaps with something like this, listening to music for a substantial portion of the flight. It would not have a chance of being fully charged upon arrival.

Of course one exception to that concept might be if you used your phone during a layover, but many times you can find an outlet at the airport and charge it then.

That's certainly an option, but if you can just plug it in during the flight, you can skip the part where you sit on the floor in your suit and can't move more than four feet from the power outlet. Been there, done that.

...I guess I just don't see the point of charging a cell phone in flight. Without voice or data connection a phone is essentially useless (assuming you have a laptop with you).

That's exactly the point. The device is largely useless in flight (aside from music playback, which draws little power), which means you won't miss it while it's charging, and you won't have to speak on the phone uncomfortably at the mercy of its short charging cord after you land and get bombarded by the 22 people who have tried to call while you were in the air. Also, if you've ever used a phone while charging it, you'll notice that the battery doesn't really charge while you're on the phone--it just basically holds the battery steady and uses the power for the call, so you lengthen the charging period. Plug it into the plane's power port and forget about it. When you land, you have a fully charged phone ready for immediate use.

 

[puckhead193]

i think the built in battery is crap. I know many people who use the extended batteries and multiple batteries. If your a business person, your not getting this phone...

I am a global CEO who is constantly on the road.

what company do u work for/type of business

 

[babyj]

I don't understand what the big deal with the battery is.

Why carry a spare battery when its so easy to recharge the iPhone?

As long as you are in your car, using your laptop or next to a power point you can charge it up.

In what situation would you be unable to recharge it for 5 hours?

 

[siurpeeman]

i'm thinking this post should be made into a poll. i, myself, have never bought a second battery for any phone i've owned.

 

[nutmac]

If you are an executive, sales person, real estate agent... or talks a lot in general, you may crave for an extra battery. But accommodating user replaceable battery will make the iPhone larger, which already is a bit large in a day when most want the phone to be as small as possible.

You can always carry the dock cable around to charge iPhone against the computer or if you must have extra battery life, get one of those external battery extenders.

 

[dhlvrsn]

I'm in the wait and see mode. The phone is slim so the battery has to be pretty small. What happens if you want to watch a movie? What does that do to the battery? The phone looks like a power hog. Maybe Apple has done the impossible but it's hard to believe that they've come up with the solution to a universal problem. If they had I'd think Mr. Jobs would have added that to the cheesy infommercial list.

I'm also in the camp that has multiple batteries. With all the chargers, power outlets galore I still am in multiple situations where I kill the battery.

I'm sure Gen2 will be much improved.

 

[emotion]

I'm sure Gen2 will be much improved.

Gen 1 hasn't been finalised or come out yet.

This is getting rediculous.

 

[matticus008]

With all the chargers, power outlets galore I still am in multiple situations where I kill the battery.

Such as?

I've polled other lawyers, business travelers, and various professionals I know in my building, along with several of my friends, and I have found that only an extremely small minority actually carry spare batteries. No one at all has been able to justify any situation where they can't set the phone down for an hour to charge every four hours, where they won't be at a desk near a power outlet.

 

[rdowns]

In the past year, I have traveled very frequently on business as well as personal. Part of a mobile lifestyle is makign sure you charge your devices when needed. I have never needed to carry a spare battery.

Last week, I needed an airport outlet to charge my phone, nano and laptop. I carry a small power strip and plugged all 3 in during the one hour wait for my flight; juiced up all enough for my needs at that time. Even let 2 other people plug into my power strip to charge their phones. I carry the strip after seeing others do this.

A nice PB user once let me charge my nano on her plugged in PB with her cable. Should have asked her to marry me.

 

[jpfisher]

The iPhone has a standard dock connector, no? So it would be compatible with one of several 3rd party external battery solutions that exist now, and I'm sure someone will make one that doubles as a protective case for the iPhone.

The real issue with the battery is the limited charging lifespan of the li-ion.

 

[dr427]

My wife has a Samsung Blackjack and she changes the two batteries out often (comes with 2 standard).

I on the other hand have a Razr and have never changed it. She is a power user while I am not.

 

[MacCheetah3]

Hi
We could always argue the medical aspect. Medical professionals high recommend that users get away from the computer after an hour or so to rest their eyes, ... Well, we could suggest that for iPhone users to "give it a rest" for awhile and use that time to charge it.