Extend Battery Life Without Compromising Performance
If you own an iPhone 17 Pro, a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, or any modern smartphone, chances are battery life is a top concern. The good news is you don’t have to choose between peak performance and long-lasting power. With a few practical habits and small tweaks, you can dramatically extend how long your phone stays useful between charges.
Start with Your Screen and Brightness
Display power is one of the biggest drains on modern devices. Reduce refresh rates where possible, especially on Android, and enable adaptive brightness so the screen uses only as much light as needed. Consider lowering the default screen brightness and using dark mode if your apps support it. For iPhone, enabling True Tone and Auto-Brightness helps, but be mindful that bright environments can still push power use up.
Optimize Background Activity
Apps that refresh in the background constantly steal battery. Review which apps have permission to run in the background and restrict those that aren’t essential. On iPhone, go to Settings > Battery to see which apps consume the most power and toggle off Background App Refresh for the culprits. On Android, you can restrict background activity per app in Settings > Apps > [App] > Battery.
Manage Connectivity Smartly
Location services, Bluetooth, and Wi‑Fi all sip power when left on. Turn off GPS when you don’t need it, especially indoors or when you’re not using map apps. If you’re often in a good Wi‑Fi area, disable cellular data and use Wi‑Fi calling or messaging when feasible. Consider enabling Low Power Mode on iPhone or Power Saving Mode on Android when you anticipate a long day away from a charger.
Battery Health and Charging Habits
Keeping your battery healthy helps it last longer in the long run. Don’t routinely let your battery drop to 0% or stay at 100% for extended periods. Aim to keep it between 20% and 80% most days. If your device supports it, enable Optimized Battery Charging (iPhone) or similar features on Android to learn your charging patterns and slow down charging when near full. Use original chargers or certified equivalents to avoid extra heat during charging.
App and System Updates
Software updates often include battery optimization fixes. Keep both your OS and apps up to date, but if you notice a new update causes excessive drain, you can temporarily delay updates until you identify the cause. Regular maintenance and cleanup can also improve efficiency; use built-in tools to clear cache and unused files occasionally.
Storage and Memory Management
Low storage can impact performance and battery efficiency. Aim to keep some free space by offloading or deleting unused apps and media. On iPhone, offload unused apps automatically under Settings > General > iPhone Storage. On Android, use the Free Up Space or similar feature and store large media in cloud storage when possible.
Practical Daily Habits
Small routines add up: close apps you don’t use, stagger heavy tasks (like video editing or gaming) to cooler parts of the day, and unplug when you’re near a charger. If you rely on your phone for navigation, consider downloading offline maps for longer trips to avoid continuous location checks. A well-balanced approach combines smart settings with mindful usage for best results.
Bottom Line
Smart charging habits, display optimization, and mindful app management can add significant hours to your day in between charges. The iPhone 17 Pro and Galaxy S25 Ultra are capable devices, but even the best hardware benefits from thoughtful power management. Start with the basics, monitor your battery usage, and adjust as needed to keep your phone performing well for years.
