Does your Nano battery die really quickly?

Almost like the Ipod Mini.

Must be the screen using the power

I might also say that 6-7 hours of "real world" use is not that good if I were used to more than that. However, the only other MP3 player that I have had (a Rio Nitrus) also lasted about 6 hours, so I am no worse off and have a much nicer player with the nano. BTW, I got 15.5 hours using the same "let it play 'til it dies" test that you just ran, using 50% volume, backlight at 2s, and EQ off. I don't yet know what it will get in "real world" conditions because I don't have a case yet and I'm not going to chance taking it out without one. I'll do another test after I get a case.

what exactly does that mean?

new batteries need to be conditioned will a couple of full charge/full fischarge cycles

most of the time I use my nano for 4-5 hours max, but on the weekends I will use it for longer periods of time and after 'conditioning' the battery as noted, i can get over 12 hours of battery time (thats using it for 6 hours a day x 2 days) without a new charge

My experience :

continuous watching photos slides or song lyrics for 4 hours the battery icon turns RED

Does anybody know, that when these batteries evetually to die out and need replacement, if possible that Apple will replace them with ebtter longer-lastic ones. Because I only got about 6-7 hours. Obviously a different product, but on my Sony ATRAC Walkman, it would last alot, more more longer, and all it used was normal rechargable batteries.

amsdc, basically lithium ion batteries are rated by charge cycles - the number of times the battery is taken down to 0 and recharged. One important idea to keep in mind is that taking the battery down to 50%, recharging, down to 50% and recharging again is one charge cycle, not two. Also, keep in mind that totally discharging a LIon battery is not a good idea.

Using this as your guide, your usage patterns will play a large roll in how long the battery will last. If you charge it overnight and discharge it during the day, 500 cycles is about 1 1/2 years. In my own use I've been getting well over 2 years of battery before requiring replacement.

To my knowledge when Apple replaced batteries have the same rating as the original. Third parties have come out with batteries of higher rating. I replaced my 2nd generation's battery with one that had 25% higher rating and get about 2 hours better life per charge than before.

Hi amsdc

I was shocked when I approached Apple HK the other day. I was told Apple's official policy is that they will not replace battery for your ipod. "Throw it away and buy a new one".

I then asked how long my Nano battery can last or after how many charges will the battery die down. Apple's staff was so elusive that I still cannot figure out how long the Nano's life span is supposed to be.

I have been forced to take active steps by now to look for speakers dock like Altec Lansing IM3 for continuous usage of my Nano even when the battery dies down. With the dismal battery performance of my Nano, I reckon it can only be used for 12 months and hopefully 18 months.

I am now seriously looking at the upcoming Sony Ericsson W900i (a 3G Walkman Phone) with 2.2" QVGA screen to view my photos, take photos and a walkman with stero earphone plus remote. Most important of all, the vendor guaranteed my batteries can be replaced to protect my expensive investment.

I believe the conventional wisdom regarding lithium ion (as well as lithium polymer) batts is cycling them does not in any way increase duration. Worse, it uses up finite charge/discharge cycles as someone else has pointed out, and it might damage the battery, although Apple probably has internal controls that prevent you from actually discharging it below safe voltages (even though the indicator may show totally empty).

Benjamin - you were told incorrectly. Apple does have an iPod battery replacement program and it has existed for well over a year. The cost is $60. Further, third party companies exist. Some sell batteries and the instructions for replacing the battery yourself while others will perform the replacement for you. These companies generally undercut Apple's price.

However, I can understand why you might think the answer to how long the battery will list is ellusive. It isn't possible to answer the question with any degree of accuracy. For example, some people who bought the first generation iPod began noticing their battery life degrading around 18 months after they bought it while others didn't see anything until 24 or even 30 months. Mine was still getting 5 hours on a full charge almost 3 years after I bought it. It all depends on how you use it and how much you use it.

As for the Sony Ericsson Swiss Army phone....I'm looking forward to seeing how long the battery lasts - not in terms of years but between charges. My major grip with the Treo 650 is that I have to keep in on the charger at work. I can't go a whole day using it as my phone/PDA. When I go to a conference I take my old Nokia as backup - it goes a full week between charges.

Hi dwb

Please correct me if I am wrong.

I call up Apple HK this morning to confirm again with their policy on battery replacement. The guy is adamant that they will not replace the battery for ALL ipods in Hong Kong. If I want to confirm in writing, I can do so and they will have their LAWYER to send me an official reply. Wonderful service !!!

Then I mention about the USD60 battery replacement program in the States. The guy says even in the States, Apple will only replace batteries for the regular ipods and not even for ipod minis and definitely not for Nano. Is that true?

It's a pity that there are not that many third party service providers for ipods here in HK and hopefully there will be more upcoming when more Nanos get into the hands of local consumers here.

I really wonder whether other countries are also treated unfairly or despised by Apple and why they only replace batteries for USA consumers.

Ben

1) the nano is a new product

2) as has been stated, there is no real way of knowing exactly how long a battery will last since no two people will use their product the same way

3) the Apple policy regarding battery replacement is for older iPODs and not the nano

no one is treating you unfairly - listen to what people are telling you

Hello Jeffdc

You are really speaking in a very authoritative and mockery tone.

I was informed by dwb that :-

"Benjamin - you were told incorrectly. Apple does have an iPod battery replacement program and it has existed for well over a year. The cost is $60. ...."

When I read that message on an iPod Nano Forum does it imply to me that Apple is offering battery replacement at $60 for ipod Nanos.

Learn to be polite to others. It's a virtue that I learn from my Jesuit Fathers and Confucious heritage.

It's sad that this forum does not nourish a more appreciative attitude towards each other within this same Global Village.