Apple runs down iPhone battery basics

Unhappy with your iPhone's battery life? Want to make sure you don't have to send it in for the dreaded $80 replacement surgery? Fear not, Apple's posted a completely obvious guide to getting the most out of your mobile. You know, amazing little tricks you never thought of, like putting it to sleep with the sleep / wake button when you're not using it. Don't worry, Apple says, "You will still be able to receive calls and text messages while it is locked, but nothing happens if you touch the screen." Sweet.

[Via Ars Technica]

[joe_bruin @ Jul 24th 2007 8:11PM]

95 degrees? I guess that rules out using an iPhone anywhere in the Southwestern United States in the summer. Here in the San Fernando Valley (a big suburb of Los Angeles) it is currently 101 degrees, which is pretty normal.

[kingofwale @ Jul 24th 2007 8:18PM]

what IS IPhone's battery life?

and no, I don't mean go read the Apple manual.

[rip @ Jul 24th 2007 10:49PM]

No one actually knows.

Most report about 6-8 hours talk time OR 26 hours music OR 7 hours of video. If you use wi-fi, expect about 30% less.

The problem is, your probably going to use some combination of the above. So it varies, depending on how you use it.

If it helps, people I know that have it, seems like a full charge last anywhere from 1.5-3.5 days.

[Covarr @ Jul 24th 2007 8:20PM]

My air conditioning is broken, so I can't even STORE it in ideal conditions. Good thing I don't have one, I guess.

[Square @ Jul 24th 2007 8:23PM]

First such device with cool features like, er, sleep mode!! How thoughtful of Apple!!!! So sweet and cute!

[GrandmasterB @ Jul 24th 2007 9:13PM]

This is bs. How come Apple didn't make it a rechargeable?

[Jack Storm @ Jul 25th 2007 12:59AM]

my 8525 sleeps too, its cuddly too :-)

[Alvin @ Jul 24th 2007 8:40PM]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

[Amandyke @ Jul 24th 2007 8:55PM]

Why why why why why is basic battery information that is generic to ALL DEVICES posted as some kind of news article on engadget? Please someone tell me why.

[linkman2004 @ Jul 24th 2007 9:51PM]

Because it's not any battery information, it's iPhone battery information.

[BananaBoat @ Jul 24th 2007 9:01PM]

This iPhone is too hot. This iPhone is too cold! This iPhone is justtttttt right.

[cjh6793 @ Jul 24th 2007 9:13PM]

Señor Swanky, for future reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drama_queen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asshole

[robothouse @ Jul 24th 2007 9:46PM]

Do I detect a hint of sarcasm, Engadget?

[Kurt MacD @ Jul 25th 2007 12:32AM]

Probably not, they take this so called iPhone pretty seriously, I'm waiting for little fluffy "iPhone covers", probably the hello kitty ones are going to be on here before anyone else sees em. Oh how the engadget team loves poor publicity and frilly accessories.

[derkaderka @ Jul 24th 2007 10:18PM]

throw it in the fridge.... icePhone, anyone?

[Moondyne Joe @ Jul 24th 2007 10:20PM]

Assuming I would even want one and As the Iphone at this point doesnt do G3 networks in Australia
the temp range would be ruled out here in Australia where I live in the Wheat belt of Western Australia it Regularly gets to 45C ( approx 120 f) and I have sen it at 44c in my loungroom melting candles it seems I pod isnt made for Australian Conditions at all I hope Our Major Telco ( Telstra ) is awake up to these limitations it seems Iphone was only created for a select few not a world wide market.

[Josh @ Jul 24th 2007 10:30PM]

"...it seems Iphone was only created for a select few..."

Welcome to Apple, enjoy your stay.

[rip @ Jul 24th 2007 10:43PM]

Whuteva... the iPhone has a lithium ion battery. The operating temperature range is the same as any other lithium ion battery.

The other info about sleep mode is fairly stupid and obvious.

However, it never pays to underestimate the stupidity of people. I mean, look at half the posts on Engadget...

[dcartguy @ Jul 24th 2007 11:28PM]

I recently did a test on my iphone to determine the "true" battery life. I took a movie downloaded from itunes and played it on repeat until the battery died. Wi-fi was off and auto-brightness was on. My iphone lasted 4 hours 37 minutes. Not quite 7 hours! I'm curious what kind of results other people are getting. Post your results please.

[dean @ Aug 29th 2007 9:14PM]

how do you get a video to repeat?

[dcartguy @ Sep 3rd 2007 12:58PM]

I didn't, I just watched it and restarted it as soon as the previous video was finished.

[drtekger @ Jul 25th 2007 12:01AM]

I think apple should introduce a temperature sensor that ONLY allows to use the phone when it has the right temperature. that would be so awesome!

[Phour ZwanZig @ Jul 25th 2007 1:42PM]

Well.. I do know that if its anything like a dif device I used that had a lithium ion battery, it wont charge unless that battery temp is within that range.. being the device is much smaller it prob wont be too bad.. But I had big time issues chargin my battery in the winter(wisconsin) when it was in my van..

[dislodge112 @ Jul 25th 2007 12:32AM]

i don't think people are going to understand the suggestions for improving the battery life since the article doesn't have any smug remarks about the losers that don't have one. come on apple, let's keep up the image.

[John Doe @ Jul 25th 2007 2:21AM]

Wow its a good thing that Jobs packed each and every iPhone with his reality distortion field to keep it toasty warm in those frigid winter months. I mean really. Welcome Apple to the real world.

[Lazerface @ Jul 25th 2007 2:38AM]

I'm still waiting for an exploding iPhone or iPod battery so I can start an iFire.

[Justin @ Jul 25th 2007 4:30AM]

Oooooh, iPhone started the fire!
It was always burnin'
Since the world's been turnin'!

[MoonRocket @ Jul 25th 2007 5:18AM]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ugly_American

[rp @ Jul 25th 2007 1:48PM]

Umm... it says "Your iPhone works best from 32 degrees to 95 degrees F."

Where in that sentence does it imply that the iPhone will not work above 95 degrees? What it is saying (for the majority of you who apparently lack analytical skills) is that the battery will operate at it's best in that temperature range. I'm sure that the majority of people who are buying iPhones are not sitting around outside in 100+ degree weather anyway. Notice the note about "room temperature" being ideal.

Good god people.

[Philip Quarles @ Jul 25th 2007 7:47PM]

I always knew that pc manufacturers ripped off the idea of sleep mode from Apple. I mean, it even has the same name!