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iPhone 5 battery life is way worse than iPhone 4

I just got an iphone 5 and I restored a backup from my iPhone 4 so I have the same settings. But the iphone 5 drains way faster than my two year old very well used iPhone 4 which is running 5.1.1. Is it because of IOS 6? Just leaving it sitting overnight lost about half the battery. My iPhone 4 hardly uses any battery while it sits overnight.


Or do I have a bad battery on my new phone?

Posted on Sep 22, 2012 1:41 AM

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3,614 replies

Jan 22, 2013 8:24 AM in response to holdrege

Sorry everyone 🙂 I am sure that was tough to read in "single" paragraph form LOL. And, "coolKenny13" I apologize to you and everyone else for such a long reply...I just simply had alot to get off of my chest. Thanks so much for reading it though. BTW, I have also researched the Z10 and it looks really nice!! I am sure you will enjoy it.


Ironically, as I sit here and communicate with my fellow Apple "brethren and sistren", I want you all to know that selling my iPhone 5 and buying an adroid phone was the toughest materialistic decision of my life. I have been enjoying Apple's ecosystem for years, and am really disappointed that I felt the need to switch. However, after spending a week with the Note 2, I have come to appreciate the iOS even more because of its Lexus reliability and smoothness. Even now, I sit here purplexed about my decision. Last night I was looking on the Mophie website to see if/when they were releasing the new iPhone 5 pro 2500mAh case. Ugh...stop the insanity already!!!! LOL. Utlimately, I really do like the Note 2 and the Android OS has come a long way. Just FYI, I took the Note 2 off of the charger yesterday at 6:30am as usual, and as of right now (11:20am EST), I have 42% left which uncludes moderate to heavy browsing/playing with phone, several calls at average length, emails, etc...most importantly, I haven't turned anything off in settings, have wifi always on, and don't feel the need to constantly check the battery% . So, I will say that this device gives me a peace of mind that my iPhone 5 couldn't. If I could just get used to Android after years of Apple loyalty 😉

Jan 22, 2013 8:45 AM in response to paulphilly

And then there's jelly bean 4.1 and then theres another food item OS. And you can't deny it , with every os they actually get better. So although you miss the elegant , fluid and simple os , you can expect it to be better in the next OS if not the best.


If your still up for little experimentation and games i suggest you try custom roms ? . Heard of xda developer ? Its a forum and you can get every custom rom there .. 😉


It would be nice to hear from you time and again on how your doing with your android. Im sure its not that bad and even the gurus and pundits praise it for what its worth.

Jan 22, 2013 9:10 AM in response to coolkenny13

There is no denying the rock solid fluidity and reliability of iOS. However, you are correct in that Jelly Bean 4.1 is a step closer to iOS. The more I "play" with my Note 2, the more I like it. Granted, it's not as fluid or solid as OS, but it is leaps and bounds better than Android say 2 years ago? And, like you said, with 4.2 on the horizon, it will be a lot better....if not the best. I guess what I miss most about OS is the simplistic nature in which every task is/can be done. It required little effort to do anything/everything and was reliable in doing so. With 4.1, it's a learning curve and tasks seem to require a little more effort both on my part and the software installed. But, there is no denying that JB 4.1 is a competent system. For what it's worth, the Note 2 is more "fun" with customizable options and bigger real estate. But, again a phone is a phone is a phone. This phone, unlike my iPhone or apparently Z10, is big and not a practical alternative. However, I find myself and many others according to Samsung Note 2 sales pushing the boundaries of what we find "practical" 🙂


I will definitely research custom roms and the xda website. I have heard that alot of Android users love the fact that they can install a custom rom and really "unlock" their phone making it super customizable. But, being a former Army bratt, I was always accustomed to the "kiss" philosophy and am a little overwhelmed with the Note 2 and its stock form...much less a custom rom. LOL, I wouldn't even know where to begin. Maybe you know someone who could help me?


I will definitely keep in touch my friend. I am curious to see how you like the Z10. All of the reviews point to it being a beast of a phone with great ppi and specs. Who knows, I may end up with one myself. I did at one time have the legendary BB Curve 😉

Jan 22, 2013 9:18 AM in response to paulphilly

Well well well , i guess we have more things in common. Specifically the BB curve. Atleast i said the 8900. Although it was the older model , it beat almost every other BB model out there subsequently.


Its funny how you have joined the bandwagon 😉 and say that these new big phone are not pratical. Trust me , i seen dime a dozen people say this and then love the big factor. It's actually fun browsing and gaming on it. I myself prefer small screen like the iphone 5. And i think the size on the iphone is actually 'good'. But one day i might have to move on to the bigger (Z10)


Cynagen mod is the most popular custom rom for samsung note and galaxy's . you should look it up on youtube. Just search for cynagen mode note 2 . or simply cynagen mod. And let me know what you think

Jan 22, 2013 9:59 AM in response to coolkenny13

Wow, the ol' reliable 8900...you could almost beat that phone with a hammer and it would still work lol.


I must say that I also prefer the small screen of the iPhone 5. I do find the 5.5" screen on my note 2 entertaining and fun for browsing/gaming, but I'm am finding it hard to come to terms with its portability factor. With my iPhone 5, it was in my pocket and barely noticeable...I loved that about the phone. With my note, I can tell it's there ALL the time...it does fit in my pocket, but when I bend down or sit down, it is a little uncomfortable. Again, the bigger screen is nice to look at and fun, but it is really not that practical. Truthfully, I am sitting here as we speak browsing the internet for battery cases for the iPhone 5. Maybe I am being a little premature with the Note 2 and not giving it a chance, but after a week its still big...I wish my hands were bigger (no need to insert a joke here lol). I do miss my 5 at times....it just did what I needed a phone to do and did it well!! Dang that little battery 😟


I will def check out Cynagen. Is it hard to install? Is there someone I can contact to walk me through it or maybe call? Thanks!

Jan 22, 2013 11:22 AM in response to paulphilly

It's actually extremely simple. Whenever I needed to install a rom. I always went on YouTube and typed how to install custom rom on note 2 or how to install cyanogen mod on note 2. They not only give you the tutorial but also links to Dow load the link for the rom.


Type cynagen for note 2 and see which is the latest. I might be able to help you know. I installed a rom ages ago. Start going to xda-developers forums also

Jan 22, 2013 11:32 AM in response to coolkenny13

The only requirements to flash roms on the note 2 is very simple. 1st root the phone , 2nd flash the latest clockwork mod which can simply be done using rom manager. 3rd put the rom in this case cm10.1 which is the latest on the root folder along with downloading gapps (google apps because google doesnt want cyanogen to have it built onto the rom). Factory reset/data wipe on recovey mod by simply restarting with recovery through rom manager. Lastly install the rom by simply guiding your phone using vol up/down to navigate and using power button to browse. Flash the zipped rom (cm10.1) after that flash gapps and your set. First start up is long but after that its normal..


My brother has a note 2 and I'm also experience with android community and xda.. Make an account with xda and they will gladly help you out..

Jan 22, 2013 12:13 PM in response to Jangeles323

Thanks Jangeles323! I really appreciate it and apologize for the brief discussion about Android. Again, I have been a Apple loyalist for years, and just recently came over to Android. So, this is all new to me...I wanted to keep my iPhone 5...I really did. But, like you say, Android is better and I hear 4.2 is actually better than iOS. We will see...nonetheless, thanks and I will definitely register with XDA.


Back on track...I did contact Mophie today and they said a battery pack for the iPhone 5 should be here shortly (she hinted at the next couple of weeks). The juice pack pro (available for the 4s) should be available by summer. I also contacted Apple today...once again, they tell me that there is no battery fix and basically the only way to get a good 8-10 hour day out of the phone is to shut things off in settings and only use the minimum needed. Bottom line, it all falls back to the small 1440mAh battery...it's simply not big enough for the average to above average user to get through a full day. So, either a battery pack or battery case is the obivous but unfortunate option. Again, what in the world was Apple thinking????

Jan 22, 2013 12:41 PM in response to paulphilly

I can't believe Apple said that. My first ip5 was a dud, but this replacement is getting great battery life. Today I unplugged it around 6am. I've used it a bunch. Streamed Thor on amazon prime for 2 hours just to stress the battery. Surfed a bunch. Checked email and weather channel a lot. Bluetooth is always on. Notifications on. Wifi and cellular settings all on. Couldn't tell you how many apps open in background. Still at 40% after all that.


Last 4 days I've been skiing with it in my pocket. I took video and pictures. Bad wifi at resort with all our devices not related to ip5 wifi issues. Only had 3G at resort but after a whole day of skiing and taking pics vids and checking emails and weather was at 70-80% each day.

iPhone 5 battery life is way worse than iPhone 4

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