Q: iPhone 5 battery draining very fast

Is my iphone5 battery life consider poor or good?

No I definitely do not think your battery stats are good. We were promised 8 hrs so 6 hrs is not good.

Some good-ish news. After my DFU restore at apple store yesterday, I have kept my ip5 as a clean phone (ie. haven’t installed a single app, haven’t turned on icloud, haven’t even set up email, nothing! no phone book, no photos, nothing (call me crazy) – just like using an iPhone 1 before the app store) just to see where the battery was being eaten up. LTE is kept on (as that is what I bought the phone to use).

The results of my 1 day experiment are that on idle, it’s very good, dropping zero to 1% only over a few hours (this is more what a normal phone should do ie. if u don't use it, it doesn't drop).  BUT. BUT when you start using the phone, it pretty much reverts back to the old drainage tendencies.  It drops by about 1% every 2mins or so of using the phone whether it be browsing or watching a vid. [this is on LTE].  [I deliberately did not use wifi as I know this of course uses less battery, but I am testing on the street usage].  Officials stats are 8 hrs of LTE browsing right?

So in this sense, on a clean phone, battery is “better” in the sense that it isn’t draining whilst idling but at the same time, nth has changed since when u use it, it drains like there’s no tomorrow. maybe ip5 is not ready for LTE?

Anyway I have a colleague who also has a ip5 and side by side, his battery keeps up to 90% up to lunch whereas mine would have dropped to 70-80%. Our usage about the same.  I am down to 75% (1/4 gone) after 1 hr usage and 7 hrs standby. so roughly speaking, 4 quarters will be gone in 4 hrs usage, which is the same bs usage stats I was achieving before, only difference being standby has improved (but who cares are what a phone does when it’s not doin anything rite?)

Not sure if this helps.  my Day 2 experiment will  be to slowly turn on certain features/apps and see what the culprit is.  I’m suspecting it is whatsapp.  I think I am doing a more systematic diagnostic test than Apple.

Again, APPLE, happy for you to contact me to run this diagnostic test if required.

For a tempory measure until apple fix the issue, there are so many settings that you can alter that will not restrict how you use your phone, it is not acceptable at all that we should have to do this, but im just saying my battery has improved dramatically by doing those changes, but you are right- NOT ACCEPTABLE! that is why we paid so much money! arggggggg!

Does anyone know if APPLE read these complaints, because all i want is for Apple to release a statement saying they are trying to fix the problem and that they are doing their best to solve it and if it cannot be fixed a full refund will be offered to those who want, or alternatively a free portable charger case will be provided WITH A VERY GOOD BATTERY. If someone reads this from Apple- Yes you may loose money by offering refunds or offering a charger case, but you will be deemed a lot more ethical and in the long term people will be much more likely to buy your products if you satisfy the customers by resolving the issue, rather than just ignoring what we are telling you! im not sure whos idea it was to put 1400 mah battery in the iphone 5 (basically the same as the iphone 4/s), but it doesnt take a genious to work out that the iphone 5 is going to need much more power than the older phones considering it has a A6 chip and considering the battery life on all the previous models is renound for being pretty poor. You cant just assume through a more efficient device that the battery will be better, because it doesnt work like that, not when it has a larger screen, LTE, and a faster CPU, i think Apple should be embarrest to have made such a mistake like that, the Samsung galaxy S3 has a battery of 2100mah and that is not enough, i love you Apple but very very disappointed that you cant include a larger battery to sacrifice a couple of mm in thickness, the iphone is thin enough. I find it so frustrating because the phone is so good yet i cant use it without being paranoid about the battery! please release a statement or an update or something, thankyou!

Dave, Apple has been contacting people on this thread. Calling them, having them complete a questionaire and then downloading a tracking of usage file on their phones. I am not sure what the outcome of this will be but, they ARE aware of this and are taking some action. Should it be more public as in the form of some type of announcement? Probably so and soon if they cannnot come up with an upgrade type of fix.

I worry that no upgrade is going to cut it and I agree with you as to going for a slimmer phone. I actually preferred the heft and weight of the iphone 4. One reason I bought it over an Android was that at that time all the Android phones felt like they were made by a toy company for kids. Plasticky, way to light to the point of feeling flimsy. I had zero confidence in something I knew I would use a lot being that plastic light flimsy feeling in my hand. By contrast the iphone 4 had heft, some substantial build quality to it.I do not prefer the metal back on the iphone 5 but, considered it minor if the phone performed as advertised and having had good luck with the iphone 4 expected great performance. I did and still do worry about that metal backing. I did not need a thinner phone at all, it was plenty thin enough. In fact the weight of this one and the thiness makes it easier to drop as it doesn't sit as weighted in the hand. BUT I'd have been thrilled with it anyway if it worked as advertised.

I also agree that Apple coming forward with an announcement and compensation of a type would be the smart thing to do from a marketing stand point. Those of us with other Apple products could then continue to have confidence going forward that if Apple sells something that doesn't "Just Work" that they take responsibility for that.After all, Apple products cost more, that's a cost most of us were happy to take on due to Apple's reputation for excellent service.

I'm not willing to say just yet that they will not step up if the phone is hardware defective. I would like to give the benefit of the doubt given that they HAVE been trying to track the issue with these phones.But if the answer is something like "Well, it's all the fault of the providers with bad LTE coverage" then that's not going to cut it. Yes, that doesn't help but, it's not the main cause for everyone all over the world with this battery issue.

I do think having a much better battery for a phone of this type and functionality would be a step in the right direction. If the next release has all bugs out, I'll be asking for a FREE upgrade. it's not right we got stuck with these issues but, we'll have to just wait to see how it's handled from here. That or return the phone now and go back to iphone 4.

I am having a similar issue as everyone on here, and I've done the same adjusting and troubleshooting as everyone else. This is my first ever iPhone purchase, too... although, not entirely my first useage. 

For me, the whole point of a great mobile phone like this is to be able to use it as advertised, implied, and intended, without being limited by its lack of mobility and availability (read: poor battery).  Some of you have mentioned that we should treat it like its in beta until its perfect.  Well, I can understand that mentality and I will certainly stay tuned for (and be pleased) if/when Apple offers compensation or some kind of solution that makes us all happy, but really....I didn't sign up for a beta test.  I put out a lot of money based solely on the reviews and recommendations of the iPhone 4.  To read that the 5 is this problematic for others too, is validating, but still kind of disheartening.  I just want it to work, in the way that I thought it was going to, you know?  I feel kind of deceived here.  Maybe I shouldn't feel so dramatic and entitled-sounding, but I am not pleased about having to significantly reduce or eliminate the features of this phone that claim to set it apart from the rest, for the sake of preserving battery.  If I wanted a phone that didn't utilize LTE, apps, and all the other great aspects of the iPhone family, I would have bought an android.  I'm still within my 14 day window to return this bad boy too, and I'm thinking strongly about it...

after having my first iphone 5 replaced, i DFU restored the 2nd one because it wasnt any better...i kept thinking my phone was better after a DFU restore, but it isnt.

there seems to be a problem with the wifi, at least in my case. i went to bed with 100%, after 6 hours the phone was at 18%...where as before i just stay on the network, and i could sometimes make it through 7 hours of sleep...its like a gamble almost...38% when i went to bed...dead in the morning on the network.

sometimes i get good battery, sometimes i dont. its not like i have apps running the backround either, because im crazy about shutting them down mainly because of THIS!

when i first got my phone i got LTE in my condo...now im always on 4G and sometimes it drops out of the network for a second, then reconnecting. my parents phone does this too and we live in different areas, same state...ATT network...never had this happen on my previous iphones...

please fix apple, soon

RAFREEB wrote:

 

Dizman, has Apple called you? I hope they do because your experience is similar to so many others.

 

Nope, I have not been contacted by them.  I hope they do, I really would love to help in any way I can.  And I do think I have a diverse usage that would give them some good data.  I live in a 4-5 bar 4G area (though AT&T's map says LTE (don't get me started)) and I work in a 2-3 bar 4G area with 1-2 bars of LTE on one corner of the building that I tend to spend my breaks at.  But also work 50miles one-way from work, which most of my commute is thru 4-5 bar LTE area (which running speedtest.net app in yeild 42mbit download speed!).  So yeah 100miles a day round trip I drive!

I've been tempted to contact a local news station about this whole issue.  On the one hand it's like "what are they going to do?" but on the other that's how these things get brought to the public's eye and attention, so not a bad idea.  What's going to hurt stock prices more, bad press or having to issue a refund to millions?  I really think it needs to be brought to light, especially since Apple won't even acknowledge it themselves.  I know I'd feel a lot better if they just came out and said they have a problem and they are looking into it.

I've been a big fan of Apple since I got my first product, an iPhone 3G, so not too long, but as my friend put it "it just works" refering to my iPhone 3G vs other phones he was considering.  I went on to get an iPad the first day and an iPhone4 and have sold many friends on other products of theirs over the years.  I wouldn't say I'm a fanboy though, as I'll only recommend something if I feel it's good, and I have no recommend an iPhone 5 to any one yet.  It's a bit dishearting to have to tell friends and family "umm, I'd hold off on an iPhone 5 right now" when they ask my opinion.  That comment my friend made 4yrs ago doesn't seem to be holding true any more"

Ranetha, I don't think you sound "entitled" or "dramatic" You have a legitimate complaint about something you paid quite a bit of money for. Therefore, I don't think your remarks are in any way out of line. And kpumaorn, if it's the wifi then I'm in trouble because I use my wifi a lot! I need it. I just made three really short calls and my battery dropped eight percent. It's odd being able to just watch it drop depending on what I'm doing.

I really hope there is a fix besides shutting things off, recharging the battery over and over, resetting as new. All of those things did help a little it seems as the first day I only got four hours of very limited use on this phone BUT it's still not close the advertised at all. Dropping battery on stand by, dropping battery during short three minute phone calls with LTE turned to OFF.

Dizman, you should contact them and ask to be a part of this tracking program! I think your diverse usage would help everyone! What I'd not like to see is that it's totally blamed on low LTE signal because even with LTE off on my phone I still have issues. I think it's a variety of things and hope that the data will lead to a good IOS update. At least I am hoping it's the OS and not some hardware issue on some of these phones. If it IS then I'm with you. An announcement would do Apple a world of good. I think they just don't know yet but, they ARE gathering data.

RAFREEB, Thankyou for informing me that Apple are aware of this problem and that the are looking into it, and I completely agree with you, how Apples products are much better quality and feel better when you are holding the device, but i have literally turned off every single possible setting I can while trying to maintain the main functionalities of the phone, but even then when im out LTE still eats the battery up. My stats are:

Battery percentage: 47%

Usage: 3 hours

Standby: 5 hours

I know this isnt too bad, but that is only because i have restricted so many things that i dont mind removing like the wigets in notifications. Before i made all the changes i had i was losing like 20/30% in an hour which is crazy! so i am much happier for now, but i am not satisfied. I just hope that Apple will pinpoint the issue so it can be resolved one way or another, in my opinio a device like this should not have a battery less than 2400mah so that the user can do what ever they want throughout the day, and the ony way that can be achieved is by making the phone the same thickness and weight as the iphone 4, which i wouldnt mind.

Would Apple consider refunding every single iphone 5 user, and then redesigning the phone slightly by changing the current battery for a much powerful one (2400 mah), if it is a hardware issue, that would be the best thing apple could possibly do, and i would be happy to wait as long as it takes to have that extra battery life!!! even if it was slightly thicker

I just read up on this topic since I am having the same issues.

The first 2 weeks I had my phone it lasted all day no problems when I only used it for moderate/excessive texing and Pandora 1 hour a day.  At the end of the day it would be around 50%

Now the past 1.5 weeks, especially today, I took my phone off 100% charge at 930am and at 1130am it's already at 59% from me using Pandora for 35minutes and only sending a few texts.

What is going on?

I also have WiFi, Widgets, Location Services; OFF

Dave, I agree with everything you've said. And yes, it probably needed a more powerful battery. I too don''t mind a thicker phone! In fact I preferred it. My usage was like yours HORRIBLE before I started turning this and that off, resetting etc and it's still not that great. Yes, we should be able to use it to it's FULL potential. I don't want a refund but, a free trade in upgrade to a new phone IF this is a hardware issue. If an update solves it then it cannot come soon enough for me.

My phones been on the tracking program for a full day now nearly and tomorrow they'll call me to update and at that time I can take the tracking off my device. We just have to give them some time to gather all this data and see what's going on.

I'm listening to the Mac podcasts on Stitcher today to see if anyone on any of those broadcasts says a word about this battery issue. Two that are interesting are Mac Power Users and Mac Cast.

RAFREEB, when you say a 'free trade in upgrade' you mean the choice to switch to the galaxy s3 or you mean just get a new iphone basically?

Also when Apple have contacted you tomorrow to update you, if their is any significance post it on here on what they had to say

How did you get them to track your iphone??