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Hey all,
About three weeks ago I had a strange problem. I noticed that in two straight charge cycles, my battery life plummeted from about 80% to zero in just a few hours. I'm not sure what the issue was. I hadn't changed settings, installed new apps, etc. My first screenshot shows an example of what happened. 4G and data were off during the entire time.
Since then, things have been okay. I typically get 3 days standby with 4G on and light use, or 4 days with 4G off. That's mostly standby with maybe an hour or so of talking and minimal use.
After those strange battery plummets, I installed and used GSam Battery Monitor to get more details about what processes were running on my phone in case I noticed the sharp drop happening again. Everything had been fine for over two weeks, with me getting expected battery life before this issue and not experiencing any odd, sudden drops (maybe 5 or 6 charge cycles). This lends me to conclude that my battery's charge capacity is okay, and calibration also shouldn't be an issue.
However, the problem arose once again a couple days ago. Went from 75% to nothing in just a few hours. 4G was off during that time. The third and fourth screenshots show the same issue. Charged my phone, and this morning the same thing happened yet again. At about 90% the plummet began, and within an hour or so I was at 75%. At this point I took screenshots of Android's battery status, and I also did the same for GSam to show what apps and processes were running. The phone's temperature seemed fine.
The GSam screenshots taken when the phone was at 75% and dropping are in the next post, since I'm limited to four images in this one. I have no idea what's causing this massive, sudden battery drain. The only thing I can think of is that I've done Verizon's OTA updates, but otherwise pretty much all my settings, apps, and usage are the same. Plus, for two weeks I had normal battery behavior, so I'm completely baffled.
I also know that cell standby is incorrectly reported in the GS3 battery screen, and I'm getting a good signal where I live so that shouldn't be a problem. I forgot to get screen time for the first case (first two images), but it shouldn't be more than 10-15 min there since most of the charge was lost due to the freak plummet.
If anyone may have an idea of what's going on, or if there are some tools/tests I may use to figure this out, I'd really appreciate it. I turned off my phone after taking the screenshots at 75%, so if I need to turn it on and check something for you I can probably do that. Thanks a lot.
FYI, here are GSam screenshots from when the battery was in the process of plummeting this morning.
i think you built in battery status settings are off. i barely get 12 hrs with medium use, so what i think it happens is that the battery monitor is not showing the proper discharge, and then all of a sudden it catches up to the discharge rate.
are you on stock rom, rooted, unlocked bootloader?
wizzardeel said:
i think you built in battery status settings are off. i barely get 12 hrs with medium use, so what i think it happens is that the battery monitor is not showing the proper discharge, and then all of a sudden it catches up to the discharge rate.
are you on stock rom, rooted, unlocked bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am stock rom. No rooting, no unlocking.
These plunges are definitely an anomaly. Truly, with me barely using the phone and turning off mobile data, I get a few days of standby. I've had the phone since July, and the aberration in battery behavior has been the steep plunges I've shown.
In between these instance of steep plunges, I've had normal use. I really don't think it's an issue of calibration. Please believe me when I say that my normal, light use during the past four months gets me anywhere from 3-5 days with me barely using the phone. When I say barely using it, I mean not even touching it for an entire day if nobody calls me. But now, a sudden plunge in battery life is happening at 80% with no apparent reason.
I think it might be some kind of software or hardware glitch, but it's impossible for this to be normal given the battery life I typically get. Just looking at that steep drop, it's crazy and just happens out of nowhere.
But please trust me when I say that these sudden plunges that have happened a total of 4 or 5 times, causing the battery to drain completely in a few hours when I'm not touching it, are quite a drastic aberration from the normal standby life I get. Something is definitely wrong here, I just don't know what.
And one more thing to add is that after this sudden plunge and rapid drain, charging the battery still takes the normal time it does when I'm not having this issue. That is, about 2.5-3 hours to reach a full charge (and I charge with the phone 'off'). The battery is being completely drained. But this happened twice, then didn't happen for maybe 5-6 charge cycles, then happened again twice.
Before the first instance, I remember an OTA Verizon update around 10/5. My phone was okay for 2-3 charge cycles after that. Then two rapid drains. Then 5-6 normal cycles. Then two more rapid drains. There was a second Verizon OTA update somewhere in there but I can't remember.
and you said it only started once you did the OTA update from verizon right? well you could either try to go back to the stock verizon rom pre-update and see what happens there, or contact verizon and let them know what happens with the new OTA update. they could replace your phone, or it could be a bug of the new OTA update. i am on stock rom and rooted and deleted the apk that kept on trying to push the update. just unlocked by bootloader and so far my battery life has improved compared to previous locked bootloader.
i would take it to a verizon store and show them. They might give you a new battery.
I may have to do that. I'm just not really sure what the issue is.
- The battery can still hold a full charge.
- Based on running services, nothing is causing high CPU usage.
- The sudden plummet almost seems kind of random.
- Since there have been normal charge cycles, it's not an issue of calibration.
I'm not sure if this is a hardware issue or software issue. I'm trying to wrap my brain around what could cause the battery to drain so suddenly and sharply. Could the charge somehow be "leaking"? But in that case I'd expect it to happen all the time. If there's an underlying software issue, is there any other tool I might be able to use to figure it out?
Does the phone get hot?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
jhoutz said:
Does the phone get hot?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
Not from what I can tell. Note that the first couple plummet drains were overnight.
But today I caught it before noon. The phone wasn't hot, and the GSam screenshots show no CPU stress.
Maybe you can do a factory reset and se if that helps. They will probably do one if you bring it to verizon anyways. It sure sound like a hardware problem. You'd think if the processors are working that hard that the phone would get hot, I know mine gets pretty hot sometimes under heavy use.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Thing is, all indications show the CPU isn't working hard, and the phone wasn't hot.
I'm stumped.
This is a noobish question, but I presume the only way to go back to stock is to factory reset? One thing I might wait for is the Jelly Bean update, presuming this random drain holds off until then.
But yea, I dread going into VZW because they're just going to try to pass this off onto me doing something wrong, or me not knowing how to calibrate the battery, etc. The information I've provided in my OP and in the screenshots would fly over their heads. Maybe I can just do an online chat and tell VZ to send me another battery?
The only other thing I can think of is that sometime before these plummets happened, I went online to MyVerizon and turned off the Backup Assistant for movies/music/etc. so I wouldn't get all those notifications. I don't think this could be the issue, since the plummet happens when data is off. Plus, GSam would show that Backup Assistant is hogging the CPU or forcing a signal.
I doubt swapping batteries will fix it, though. I'm thinking my internal hardware might have a serious problem.
inm8num2 said:
Thing is, all indications show the CPU isn't working hard, and the phone wasn't hot.
I'm stumped.
This is a noobish question, but I presume the only way to go back to stock is to factory reset? One thing I might wait for is the Jelly Bean update, presuming this random drain holds off until then.
But yea, I dread going into VZW because they're just going to try to pass this off onto me doing something wrong, or me not knowing how to calibrate the battery, etc. The information I've provided in my OP and in the screenshots would fly over their heads. Maybe I can just do an online chat and tell VZ to send me another battery?
The only other thing I can think of is that sometime before these plummets happened, I went online to MyVerizon and turned off the Backup Assistant for movies/music/etc. so I wouldn't get all those notifications. I don't think this could be the issue, since the plummet happens when data is off. Plus, GSam would show that Backup Assistant is hogging the CPU or forcing a signal.
I doubt swapping batteries will fix it, though. I'm thinking my internal hardware might have a serious problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before the update, was everything normal?
Is the update with the HE base/baseband?
It probably isn't a hardware problem, just a bad base.
I've noticed after updating my GS3 to the HE base and the battery life was just horrid.
It's said that the new HE baseband uses up more battery also
emckai said:
Before the update, was everything normal?
Is the update with the HE base/baseband?
It probably isn't a hardware problem, just a bad base.
I've noticed after updating my GS3 to the HE base and the battery life was just horrid.
It's said that the new HE baseband uses up more battery also
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Click to collapse
Sorry, I don't know what you mean by "HE" base/baseband.
But yea, this problem didn't come up until after an OTA update.
Check your baseband version under Settings -> About and paste it here
Sent from my rooted Verizon Samsung Galaxy SIII
It's I535VRLHE
Kernel version: 3.0.8-1092717
Build number IMM76D.I535VRALHE
I turned on the phone and within 10 min or so the battery life went down by 2-3% without me doing anything. As a test I've put it into Airplane mode, and it's decreased by about 2% in 45 min.
Now I'm wondering if I have a faulty antenna or something.
Yup ive had it drain 90% overnight many times for no reason. Called verizon and my new battery should be here today.
1+ day on battery and only 11 minutes of screen time?!?
inm8num2 said:
It's I535VRLHE
Kernel version: 3.0.8-1092717
Build number IMM76D.I535VRALHE
I turned on the phone and within 10 min or so the battery life went down by 2-3% without me doing anything. As a test I've put it into Airplane mode, and it's decreased by about 2% in 45 min.
Now I'm wondering if I have a faulty antenna or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HE is the baseband version and the build number. For example I have: Android Version: 4.0.4
Baseband: I535VRLG7
Build: IM76D.I535VRALG7
which is the version before the update.
Like everybody else said, call Verizon or go to a store and let them know about the battery issues and they should send you a new one. Or even call Samsung and tell them you bought an S3 through Verizon and you are having battery hardware issues.
sonser said:
1+ day on battery and only 11 minutes of screen time?!?
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Click to collapse
Well, no calls made or received during that time. No data being used.
So, wasn't really using the phone during that time...
Has anyone noticed their battery getting incredibly worse over time? I bought my S7 on release (non edge). And since then, I've noticed that it doesn't last no where near as long. Today, for example I started my day at 7:00am when the battery was 100%. As of 30 minutes ago, the battery reached critically low (5%). From 7am all I did was watch a few videos, facebook, snapchat and then play music. But all the above for not too long.
I've also noticed that once the phone hits the 15% battery (I know due to the notification), that within minutes the battery can be done to 10% or so, without touching it.
I'm more so tempted just to take it back, unless there's an easy fix OR it's a known issue with the current version.
Thanks!
xxshabsxx said:
Has anyone noticed their battery getting incredibly worse over time? I bought my S7 on release (non edge). And since then, I've noticed that it doesn't last no where near as long. Today, for example I started my day at 7:00am when the battery was 100%. As of 30 minutes ago, the battery reached critically low (5%). From 7am all I did was watch a few videos, facebook, snapchat and then play music. But all the above for not too long.
I've also noticed that once the phone hits the 15% battery (I know due to the notification), that within minutes the battery can be done to 10% or so, without touching it.
I'm more so tempted just to take it back, unless there's an easy fix OR it's a known issue with the current version.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've definitely noticed this since rooting. Maybe it has something to do with that? Like a ROM you flashed or what not? I'd like some suggestions here as well.
Thanks!
musashiasano said:
I've definitely noticed this since rooting. Maybe it has something to do with that? Like a ROM you flashed or what not? I'd like some suggestions here as well.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't rooted the S7, it was the first phone that I've left stock from opening.
What does the battery stats say is using the most mAh?
Facebook app is a known battery hog
Obviously over time, you'll install different things, and slowly the phone will start using more and more power running background apps
A backup and Factory reset will show if there is a hardware / battery issue, or if it's purely from stuff you've installed over time
Also clearing the caches from recovery could help
yeah ive noticed this too. My usage habits havent changed but my battery life is almost half of what it was when i just got the phone.
*Detection* said:
What does the battery stats say is using the most mAh?
Facebook app is a known battery hog
Obviously over time, you'll install different things, and slowly the phone will start using more and more power running background apps
A backup and Factory reset will show if there is a hardware / battery issue, or if it's purely from stuff you've installed over time
Also clearing the caches from recovery could help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cache has been cleared from recovery, and I don't generally install many apps so since I've bought the phone the apps have stayed the same.
Android system is always on top. Unless of course I spend hours on Facebook.
Might have to factory reset. I've used my phone with the same apps and time since I've bought it, and I'm finding I'm charging it 3x as much.
I think it's a root issue - deep sleep.
After S6 Edge Plus, when you root a samsung phone, it won't go in deep sleep. I believe there's a fix for that.
Have you checked the battery usage stats? It gives you the breakdown on what apps are eating up the battery.
I have had my S7 for about a month and battery is about the same.
Just to update this thread for those that may have a similar issue...the other day I couldn't live with the battery life the way it was. The phone used 50% in several hours where I barely used it.
Decided to completely re-flash with stock (was stock before) as opposed to simply wiping all data. A week in, and the phone's battery life is back to the way it was. I went to bed when it was on 100% (as a test) and woke up 7 hours later with the phone on 94%, with wifi, location and bluetooth on.
Not sure what had caused it to use so much battery previously, but it's back to what it should be and that's all that matters.
hi with my s7 exynos i do 3h screen. i think there is a problem. i bought my s7 one week ago. can anyone help me?
Rooting and installing custom kernels when done right should greatly increase the battery life of your device. This is a well known guide here on XDA for improving battery life for our devices.
That being said, Lithium Ion Batteries hold less charge the more cycles they are put through, its a given fact but as you said your device is relatively new and therefore should not be experiencing this kind of problem. The way I see this is there are 3 possibilities which may be causing the said problem...
1) You have rooted the device and done some modification/s. ( which you haven't done )
2) Your battery is being drained by a service ( Like Oculus or VR ) in fact a number of reddit users complained their S7 was overheating and battery was draining really fast for some reason. Check This page out, It might help you.
3) Battery Defect, you must've gotten a "bad" model, if you haven't tripped KNOX you could try bringing your phone to Samsung and see if they would fix or replace it.
Good luck
I think this has to due to them samsung updates. As far as i know samsung been always doing things like this where they made the OS slow as hell after a while so you gonna get a upgrade sooner but a battery should last 2 years minimal without degrading.
---------- Post added at 03:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:34 AM ----------
petmike2 said:
hi with my s7 exynos i do 3h screen. i think there is a problem. i bought my s7 one week ago. can anyone help me?
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Click to collapse
i get like 5 hours screen on time and bout 1 day standby time but i have most bloatware disabled with the package disabler. But if i was you i would contact samsung.
This happens with Samsung updates on every Galaxy phone. It's like a curse. It's unavoidable.
Enviado desde mi SM-G920F mediante Tapatalk
May i ask if the people with these problems use the fast charge? I hearing many bad things bout this so i switched it off and must say the normal charge isn't that slow and if it can keep the battery good for longer then we all should use this.
I turned fast charge off about a week after I got the phone, was making the phone and charger pretty hot for the sake of about 5-10 mins quicker charge
Pointless really, unless you are desperate, only have a few mins spare and need as much power as possible in that short time, and if that's the case, enable it for that one time
Restrict background data on all but the most important apps (phone, text, email), dave power all but the most important apps. Battery life is fine
Sent from my SM-G935T using XDA Free mobile app
So has anyone else noticed a severe drop in battery life after Verizon's latest update? I went from 3 days to I'd be lucky if i get one. I haven't changed anything, added new apps, or used it more/less.
It's the update that just came out for Verizon vith the new desplay settings
Build number: NRD90M.G955USQU1AQDF
Yeah I have noticed this is well. When I seen there was an update I was skeptical about taking it but I bit the bullet and now I'm getting the crappiest battery life.. too bad there's not a way to revert. Maybe there is, I have no idea. What I do know is the last build we were on battery was fantastic. I was amazed. Now, all I want is my nexus back lmao.
Right!? I need fix my Nexus 6 already. And idk if we can revert but that'd be nice. Glad I'm not the only one but it still sux
Sent from my Samsung SM-G955U using XDA Labs
My battery life with this phone has been bad since day 1, even before this update. Tried 2 factory resets on the phone and another using Smart Switch. I went from 100% to 80% on my 1 hour commute home. Listening to downloaded podcasts and downloaded YouTube videos.
I've already had one replacement for a scratch on the screen. Would really prefer to not have another swapped out.
Is it really possible to get a unit with a defective battery? Especially with all the tests being done on these batteries now.
ericdmiller said:
My battery life with this phone has been bad since day 1, even before this update. Tried 2 factory resets on the phone and another using Smart Switch. I went from 100% to 80% on my 1 hour commute home. Listening to downloaded podcasts and downloaded YouTube videos.
I've already had one replacement for a scratch on the screen. Would really prefer to not have another swapped out.
Is it really possible to get a unit with a defective battery? Especially with all the tests being done on these batteries now.
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Click to collapse
I also lose drastic battery life during my commute. But, the same was true on my S6. i think it's because my phone keeps going in an out of cell coverage, while stuck in a metal tube with hundreds of other people trying to connect. But, since you posted, I presume you are having uncharacteristic battery life on your commute that you didn't have on your prior phone, right?
To isolate the issue, is it feasible for you to turn off mobile data on your next commute, especially since you're listening/watching downloaded content? That way, you'll know if it's the mobile data polling that's creating your issue.
eyc said:
I also lose drastic battery life during my commute. But, the same was true on my S6. i think it's because my phone keeps going in an out of cell coverage, while stuck in a metal tube with hundreds of other people trying to connect. But, since you posted, I presume you are having uncharacteristic battery life on your commute that you didn't have on your prior phone, right?
To isolate the issue, is it feasible for you to turn off mobile data on your next commute, especially since you're listening/watching downloaded content? That way, you'll know if it's the mobile data polling that's creating your issue.
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Click to collapse
That's a good suggestion and I'll try it. I had a Nexus 6p prior to this and S7 Edge before that, both had mediocre battery but still better than this. Lots of my friends have this phone and get great battery life.
settings -> system -> Advanced -> Developer Options -> System Tracing. Uncheck the Trace Debuggable Applications. Enjoy about 15% better battery life.
Make sure to have a before and after record of your battery usage, with same set of apps, and same pattern of usage over couple of charges (like 3-4 days), to see how this affects your battery life. So, don't just rush to make the change, measure it. Your numbers may vary compared to mine.
thanks for sharing, will give it a go.
Interesting. I'll experiment with this for the hell of it. Thanks.
More info here: https://developer.android.com/studio/profile/systrace-on-device
Is is only enabled if you enable developer options? Seems like an interesting switch regardless, less realtime debugging / tracing should lead to better battery I'd think .
Just for someone who doesn't know too much about this, what does this do? Is it okay to turn off? Does it actually enhance battery life?
Thanks! Testing it out.....my average SoT is between 5h to 6,5h.
Thanks for the tip. Trying this out now.
My battery life on my 3 XL has not been great lately. I used to easily get 6h to 6.5h SoT, but not since like December patch, I'm getting maybe 5.5h tops.
Anecdotally this seems to work for me, heading home with 85% battery instead of 60% despite similar usage during the day
I turned it off yesterday. I feel my battery life getting longer, thanks:highfive:
But I noticed my phone is getting some lags sometime
same here will give it a go
When I got my pixel 3 XL last year the battery life was pretty good it was never a amazing but was enough for me. But lately the last couple of months it's turned ****, and I haven't installed any new apps or done anything different with my phone since I got it. I've got it set up exactly the same way since launch.
Zorachus said:
When I got my pixel 3 XL last year the battery life was pretty good it was never a amazing but was enough for me. But lately the last couple of months it's turned ****, and I haven't installed any new apps or done anything different with my phone since I got it. I've got it set up exactly the same way since launch.
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Click to collapse
The Feb update seems to have caused some more drain for me. Battery was fine prior to that update. I'm going to give this suggestion a try and see if it helps.
anyone can confirm?
I can't definitively confirm this is what did it, but I'm definitely experiencing longer battery life.
TheIgster said:
The Feb update seems to have caused some more drain for me. Battery was fine prior to that update. I'm going to give this suggestion a try and see if it helps.
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Click to collapse
Yup, the Feb update has definitely messed up the battery life.
Thanks! I also give it a try on my 3 XL.
Up till now, my 2 XL gives always a better batterylife than the 3 XL, hopefully it will be better now on the 3 XL.
This actually worked! thanks!
Discovered that when I do this, I lose the smart lock, which sucks because I'm using AA Mirror to mirror my phone screen to my Ford Sync display. Had to disable this.
Cheers,
B.D.
BostonDan said:
Discovered that when I do this, I lose the smart lock, which sucks because I'm using AA Mirror to mirror my phone screen to my Ford Sync display. Had to disable this.
Cheers,
B.D.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disabled it also, but my smart lock is still working. I just tried it. No issues.
PS: And you mean you had to re-enable it right? Cause it was enabled by default.
Legendhidde said:
Just for someone who doesn't know too much about this, what does this do? Is it okay to turn off? Does it actually enhance battery life?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://developer.android.com/studio/profile/systrace-on-device
Explanation. I don't know for sure, but I can't see any benefit to a non developer having this on.
I'd be curious if it's enabled in the background, or if triggering Dev setting turns it on.
My wife's phone doesn't have Dev on, but mine does. Not sure how I'd do a battery test short of running a stress test of some kind with both phones.
Anyone have an inside contact who would know if turning on dev enables it? Would be illogical to have it running without that right? No benefit...
I'm on a brand new 3xl and battery seems great. I just came from a V20 though, so hard for me to know if my battery is great or good...
Has anyone else experienced more phone related battery drain after the recent UI update? It's not using alot of battery or anything, but I do see the symbol on the phone were Samsung accessory service is in use way more often now. And prior to update, the plug-in never registered at all in my battery usage. So basically it would use under 1% battery for the entire battery cycle. Now, it uses 2-3% per cycle and I've done nothing different with the phone. Has anyone else noticed this and know how to fix it?
I have the same problem after upgrade to new frameware One UI . Super fast Battery drain.
My friend had battery drain after update. A hard reset fixed it.
SimboXXX said:
My friend had battery drain after update. A hard reset fixed it.
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Click to collapse
Reset on the watch, the phone, or both?
mistermidas said:
Reset on the watch, the phone, or both?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He reset the watch.
I have got super fast battery drain as well...its so bad the watch drains even when it is turned off...I used to last 2 days without having to charge the watch but now by end of day I am down to 10% or so...really really baffling. I have reset the watch numerous times but it doesn't seem to get fixed...
And firmwares for this watch are so hard to come by...I wanted to do a downgrade...
Moe5508 said:
I have got super fast battery drain as well...its so bad the watch drains even when it is turned off...I used to last 2 days without having to charge the watch but now by end of day I am down to 10% or so...really really baffling. I have reset the watch numerous times but it doesn't seem to get fixed...
And firmwares for this watch are so hard to come by...I wanted to do a downgrade...
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Click to collapse
This is the reason is send my watch in for repair (warranty). It came back with a new motherboard, problem solved.