Develop Bugs

Extra Batteries / Extended Batteries / Portable Chargers

The great question:
Is it better to 1) carry extra batteries with me and just trade them out as they die but maintain the light, sleek form factor of my EVO, 2) get an extended battery that will make my phone thicker and significantly heavier (resulting in fewer case choices or cradle fit issues) or 3) get an external travel battery that plugs into my phone via USB and recharges my battery with another battery?
Well each has it's pluses and minuses:
1) Extra Batteries: The problem is, of course, transporting them. You also need to buy an external charging dock to keep them juiced and the phone has to be taken apart to replace them. With some cases such as the Otter Defender, this can be a significant hassle. As far as transporting them, it is easy to buy an unobtrusive $10 leather zippered pouch and carry them that way.
2) Extended Batteries: Easily charged in your phone and not requiring replacement during a long day, these batteries are an attractive option. However, say goodbye to your sleek and slim EVO. These add significant heft to your device and make it twice as thick. Also, unless you pay top dollar for a name brand, you risk having a "fake" product of questionable build and even more questionable capacity. Watch a video of a "Lion" battery fire and you will realize you don't want to play with cheap knockoffs any more than you would buy knockoff medicine from a guy in China to save a few bucks. And oh yeah, good luck finding a case that fits your "pregnant" evo.
3) Portable Battery Chargers: Again, these can be an attractive solution. They can come in many sizes (up to 8000 mah) and can recharge your phone even as you use it. The issue is bulk. One 5400 mah device is about the size of your EVO. So, imagine carrying 2 EVO's with you (never mind the USB cord). Compare this to carrying a spare 1500 mah battery in a small leather pouch (which you would hardly notice is even there). Also, these charge your phone using USB cable. This means a maximum charging rate of 500 ma. If you are using your phone for power intensive tasks such as Google Navigation, your phone will still run out of power even if it is plugged in.
CONCLUSION:
Weighing all of the factors, I recommend getting a couple extra 1500 to 1750 mah OEM batteries along with a wall charger (don't be cheap - these things can go boom). Simply carry them in a small zippered leather pouch you can pick up anywhere they sell wallets. A fully charged battery in your phone and just one of these "stand-bys" should get you through even the most grueling day.
The only hassle here is physically switching them out; however, that is less of a hassle than dealing with a "double-thick EVO" extended battery or an "extra EVO in your pocket" external travel battery. You should only have to change the battery out once in a 24 hour period. With the other solutions, you have to deal with their negative aspects 24/7.
You keep your slim form factor, you not are limited by case choices and you extend your power - win.
** This conclusion assumes the user will eventually have access to AC power to recharge sometime in a 24 hour period. For camping, etc, where you will be away from wall/car juice for extended period, the external travel battery may be your best choice (and you can carry it in your backpack).

It looks dumb and feels kind of bulky, but there is no way I'm turning off my phone, taking off the case, and prying off that flimsy batter door all of the time. I hate that process and feel like something is breaking every time. Big pregnant evo for me.

I still have to laugh when people talk about the added "bulk" extended batteries like the Seidio adds to the phone . Most of the time people who see my phone and realize I have an extended battery usually respond with "Well thats not that much bigger" . Im not shooting down your opinion I just feel this obsession with have a super thin phone is a bit overboard . Hell I remember years ago when phones were on the trend of being super small , hell I remember seeing one model that when it folded up I swore the damn thing was just alittle bitter than a book of matches . Now the trend seems to be bigger phones or atleast leaning in that direction (examples : HTC EVO , DROID X , Epic 4G isnt small either) . Overall like the OP outlined it comes down to a choice , longevity using all the features of the phone (bigger batter) or slim phone with "enough" power to make it through the day if you micro manage all the features on the phone . Ive tried both worlds , Ive tried the stock battery which did make it through the day but just barely . I currently have the 3500mah battery installed and I can tell you this now I wouldnt go back to the stock battery . The added size now fits the size of the phone in my mind . The phone is already tall and wide , Hell the Droid X is even taller and wider (actutal casing of the phone not the screen) . In the end its your choice and its your phone , whatever makes you happy with it you go with it . Screw what everyone else might say about it LOL

Biofall said:
It looks dumb and feels kind of bulky, but there is no way I'm turning off my phone, taking off the case, and prying off that flimsy batter door all of the time. I hate that process and feel like something is breaking every time. Big pregnant evo for me.
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Click to collapse
As a business man who wears a suit every day, my biggest issue is that there is no way to carry my phone (other than a belt clip which is way too geeky for me) in my suit pocket or pants without looking like I have either breast implants or an erection.
Actually, you have your "pregnant" EVO "all the time". You only have to change your battery once Still, everyone has their preference and that's why I created the thread.
** Being a flash-a-holic, I have become quite accustomed to pulling my battery (boot loops and all) so I am probably less intimidated by the process than the average user. For me, changing a battery out takes maybe 10 seconds at the most. When compared to carrying around a thicker, heavier phone all day, the choice is clear (10 seconds of hassle vs 24/7 discomfort).
Again, no "right" answer here.

I use spare batteries. I have an extended but I hate the way it makes my phone look and feel. I keep a couple charged spares in the car at all times and another couple in my computer bag just in case. I would much rather do that then have an ugly block sticking out the back of my phone. My phone lasts well over a day on a charge so I never really end up swapping them out except for in the morning when I put a fresh one in. I usually still have about 50% left when I swap them out in the morning. I never charge my phone directly, I always just swap the battery with a fresh one and charge them with my wall charger. It only takes a minute to swap them and the daily reboot never hurts. I bought all my batteries on ebay (except for my seidio extended which NEVER gets used) and all eight of them cost me about $50 combined, which is cheaper than the one seidio.

_MetalHead_ said:
I use spare batteries. I have an extended but I hate the way it makes my phone look and feel. I keep a couple charged spares in the car at all times and another couple in my computer bag just in case. I would much rather do that then have an ugly block sticking out the back of my phone. My phone lasts well over a day on a charge so I never really end up swapping them out except for in the morning when I put a fresh one in. I usually still have about 50% left when I swap them out in the morning. I never charge my phone directly, I always just swap the battery with a fresh one and charge them with my wall charger. It only takes a minute to swap them and the daily reboot never hurts. I bought all my batteries on ebay (except for my seidio extended which NEVER gets used) and all eight of them cost me about $50 combined, which is cheaper than the one seidio.
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Click to collapse
+1 My reasoning exactly.
This is purely theory, but I have the feeling that younger users and those in manual labor type jobs will opt for the extended battery, whereas those of us where we have to wear a suit to work and sit at a desk or visit clients all day would prefer the swap-out just for appearance sake. A construction foreman is not going to want to swap out a battery with dirty hands in 30 degree cold but he(she) won't mind how the fatter phone looks.
In conclusion, those more concerned with the look and feel of the phone will opt for extra oem's, those who are looking for pure utility will opt for extended.

I've had my EVO for almost a full month, and yet its still caseless and exposed because of this dilemma. I'm leaning more towards keeping it slim and having a wide variety of cases to choose from. Obviously going to something like the 3500 would require a new battery door. So, what's the maximum battery size the EVO can hold before needing the new door? I've seen 1600, 1700, 1750, 1800, and 2000 mah batteries. Also, would these slightly stronger batteries make ANY difference? I've seen reports saying those batteries are tested and not actually as strong as they say.
Thanks in advance....
AGSLight

ROOT YOUR PHONE. solves all the troubles of extra batterys. I have 4 batterys i bought before rooting. Now they just sit in different areas around the house and car because i never use them. Easily 18hours of battery with decent amount of use.

Well, I super use my phone;all day pounding.....even the Sprint extended barely makes it about 18hrs.....so I prefer the constant functionality...!
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Cheap 1950mAh battery?

Hi,
I came over this one: http://cgi.ebay.nl/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390301426669&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:NL:1123
If it's true then there's a cheap way to get 33% more battery power. The guys feedback seems good, does anyone know if it's possible for batteries that cheap to actually give such power?
I did order one to test but it can be a few weeks before it arrives. Can anyone tell me a good way to test batteries in the meantime?

I bought these http://www.spider-foot.com/2x-bst41...ericsson-xperia-play-zeus-bst412be-p-897.html which are also on ebay but i found that the seller has also his own site and they work surprisingly well, almost good as the original. I also got the battery charger which is incredible and I always have my play on and 2 extra full batteries in my pocket
I consider trying one of those in your link for more power but I doubt it that its 1950mah...

I needed a spare battery anyway for the weekends I'm gone (taking a battery with you is easier than a charger), so it's a small risk to make. I bet it won't take long before the big batteries with extended back covers start to up for less then they're costing now (99 dollars).

In my opinion its not a risk, the seller has almost 10000 positive feedbacks and the cost that you pay is 3€ for the battery and 4€ for shipping. Even if its not 1950mah you won't regret it. I also consider to buy one...

The fact that it won't be 1950 mAh (or close to it) is the risk I'm talking about and definitly worth the shot.
It seems the battery test in the service menu isn't working for me, it wants to charge even if it's already 100%, anyone else got it working?

Anyone using multiple batteries?

I'm curious if anyone is solving the battery life problem by using multiple batteries and swapping them during the day. My specific question is about the durability of the battery door. I'm concerned that the design is such that daily removal and reattachment could cause wear and make the door loose over time.
Anyone have any experience one way or the other?

i have 6 batteries i used to use before going extended. yes, after awhile the door would get small dings at the top where you pry it off. it eventually started to feel a bit loose and came off easier. that and with the swap hassle im glad i dont bother anymore.

of course it will get loose, but replacement ones are 10$ or free if you know who to talk to at the stores that have techs to fix the phones on site

I ordered 2 extra batteries and a wall charger launch day of the TB. It is now Sept. and my battery door has had no problems. I have dropped down to two batteries in circulation now due to the radio updates that have improved battery significantly. I am actually able to make it through the day now. But no matter what phone I get next I will order an extra battery I don't like having to worry about having to plug the phone in at all so it is a must have for me.

on a side note, if you guys get an external power pack, you wont need extra batteries. i have an Energizer 5200mAh one thats about the same size as my TB(only thinner) and it has 2 usb ports to charge 2 devices at the same time.
although even then, i still got the 2750mAh battery and plan to get the 4500mAh battery as i still blow through batteries very quickly.

[Q] Slim extended battery?

Hey everybody,
I've tried looking to see if there was a thread about these two batteries before posting but came up with no results. I'm running a stock SGSII (4.0.4) with an Otterbox Defender (downhill skateboarding/military protection). Phone usage includes emails, texting, FB and games.
I'm looking for an extended battery after going through TWO Samsung OEM batteries within 11 months. Both the batteries got the bulge of death. Sprint store techs have run multiple diagnostics and replaced parts but have no idea why this is happening and won't replace my phone.
I came across a 'Galilio' 2500mAh battery as well as a 'Sporting Persistence' 2520 mAh battery while searching around on eBay. I'm staying away from the Andida 2300mAh after reading several stories about how the contacts were misaligned and the battery wasn't really 2300mAh.
I don't want to go with a big, bulky case due to my requirements for protection. I've read about the Mugen 1950mAh batteries being pretty decent, but they're a bit more than I want to spend.
Thoughts? Ideas? Anyone tried either of these?
Thanks!

I got a 2100mah battery that was really just a fake. It does work fine as a spare and it was cheap but its worse life than stock. I suspect those 2500mah you found are fakes too. I tried the andida which had better life than stock but the contact misalignment caused random reboots after a while.
My suggestion is to just buy an external charger and multiple batteries. I just pop an extra battery in my pocket and go about my day then if I burn thru two batteries in one day I still have the third at home.

Anything on the mugen battery? I want to keep my protective Trident case on my phone instead of putting on the cheap back and 3200mah siedo battery where I can't protect my phone... and wish to have increased battery life and I keep having the problem where when I reboot I go from 69% to 19%..... I haven't checked for battery bulge yet
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Beware of Lithium battery scams, ONLY BUY MUGEN!!!
xPIZZLEx said:
Hey everybody,
I've tried looking to see if there was a thread about these two batteries before posting but came up with no results. I'm running a stock SGSII (4.0.4) with an Otterbox Defender (downhill skateboarding/military protection). Phone usage includes emails, texting, FB and games.
I'm looking for an extended battery after going through TWO Samsung OEM batteries within 11 months. Both the batteries got the bulge of death. Sprint store techs have run multiple diagnostics and replaced parts but have no idea why this is happening and won't replace my phone.
I came across a 'Galilio' 2500mAh battery as well as a 'Sporting Persistence' 2520 mAh battery while searching around on eBay. I'm staying away from the Andida 2300mAh after reading several stories about how the contacts were misaligned and the battery wasn't really 2300mAh.
I don't want to go with a big, bulky case due to my requirements for protection. I've read about the Mugen 1950mAh batteries being pretty decent, but they're a bit more than I want to spend.
Thoughts? Ideas? Anyone tried either of these?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my search for extended slim batteries I learned many lessons. I kept buying them from eBay until I got to the bottom of the conspiracy.
The batteries I purchased were for my Galaxy S2 and my Galaxy S3.
Lesson #1: If the battery price is too good to be true, it probably is. Case in point, I purchased several great deals on 'Samsung' brand OEM replacement batteries, all were under $10 bucks and all were counterfeits. All lasted only 2/3s of the time compared to the old and well used battery I was trying to replace. Some of these fakes didn't even have the chip inside that communicated with my phone, so as soon as you plugged in the wall charger the phone would immediately cut off, which is bad for your operating system. If the battery doesn't communicate with your phone properly, it's a fake. I went one step further and weighed the stock battery against the replacement battery and the replacement was far lighter, further proving it was a fake.
Lesson #2: High capacity fakes. I decided to try my luck at after market name brand and generic batteries that claimed longer battery life (a higher milliamp hours [mAh] or higher capacity). I ordered them one at a time, each time one came I would weigh it, it would ALWAYS be lighter than the stock battery (the only exception is Mugen). That was my first clue at fraud. Some of these brands communicated perfectly with my phone and charged OK but they were still lighter, telling me they had less lithium and less capacity. I tested each several times (because it takes a few charges to break in a new battery) but they were the same as the others, all would last only 2/3s the time of the worn out stock battery I was trying to replace. In all cases I would return the battery and try a different brand. In the end buying Mugen brand for $40-$45 a battery is the only way to get a quality replacement battery that lasts a long time but fits like the stock battery.
Mugen batteries are the only brand I can find that actually weigh more than stock OEM batteries. Mugen batteries last a long time, just like they claim. Now I only buy Mugen. Save up your money, it is worth the extra cash for the longer life. Would you want to carry replacement batteries around with you and swap them out twice a day or just use one Mugen? I charge my phone once at night and then use it all day long. Even on days with heavy use I still put it on the charger with a charge left.
I've tried most of the names you mentioned and many more. Maybe there are other illegitimate companies other than Mugen, but I wouldn't know, and I've looked. For anyone wanting to continue my search, the key is to research the name brand and see if they have a website that looks illegitimate. Do they sell batteries for other model phones and devices? Do they sell their own brand of battery charger? If not they are fly by night and are selling you a low capacity battery with a short life but have slapped a label on that claims a higher capacity. If you order one WEIGH IT and compare the weight to your OEM battery that came with the phone.

Batteries
joeiipuff said:
In my search for extended slim batteries I learned many lessons. I kept buying them from eBay until I got to the bottom of the conspiracy.
The batteries I purchased were for my Galaxy S2 and my Galaxy S3.
Lesson #1: If the battery price is too good to be true, it probably is. Case in point, I purchased several great deals on 'Samsung' brand OEM replacement batteries, all were under $10 bucks and all were counterfeits. All lasted only 2/3s of the time compared to the old and well used battery I was trying to replace. Some of these fakes didn't even have the chip inside that communicated with my phone, so as soon as you plugged in the wall charger the phone would immediately cut off, which is bad for your operating system. If the battery doesn't communicate with your phone properly, it's a fake. I went one step further and weighed the stock battery against the replacement battery and the replacement was far lighter, further proving it was a fake.
Lesson #2: High capacity fakes. I decided to try my luck at after market name brand and generic batteries that claimed longer battery life (a higher milliamp hours [mAh] or higher capacity). I ordered them one at a time, each time one came I would weigh it, it would ALWAYS be lighter than the stock battery (the only exception is Mugen). That was my first clue at fraud. Some of these brands communicated perfectly with my phone and charged OK but they were still lighter, telling me they had less lithium and less capacity. I tested each several times (because it takes a few charges to break in a new battery) but they were the same as the others, all would last only 2/3s the time of the worn out stock battery I was trying to replace. In all cases I would return the battery and try a different brand. In the end buying Mugen brand for $40-$45 a battery is the only way to get a quality replacement battery that lasts a long time but fits like the stock battery.
Mugen batteries are the only brand I can find that actually weigh more than stock OEM batteries. Mugen batteries last a long time, just like they claim. Now I only buy Mugen. Save up your money, it is worth the extra cash for the longer life. Would you want to carry replacement batteries around with you and swap them out twice a day or just use one Mugen? I charge my phone once at night and then use it all day long. Even on days with heavy use I still put it on the charger with a charge left.
I've tried most of the names you mentioned and many more. Maybe there are other illegitimate companies other than Mugen, but I wouldn't know, and I've looked. For anyone wanting to continue my search, the key is to research the name brand and see if they have a website that looks illegitimate. Do they sell batteries for other model phones and devices? Do they sell their own brand of battery charger? If not they are fly by night and are selling you a low capacity battery with a short life but have slapped a label on that claims a higher capacity. If you order one WEIGH IT and compare the weight to your OEM battery that came with the phone.
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Click to collapse
Have you ever tried the Anker brand? I have also read that those are legit. But I will like to hear that from someone that actually runs serious tests on them. Thank you

I've had the anker battery for over a week now. With my normal use I get about 20% more life than my stock non bloated battery
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

I have the andida and it seems to last about 2 hrs more then the stock one but ever once in awhile when it over heats the phone resets and you lose about 20% battery
Send from a mircowave

Chichitech is legit, 20$ and got a higher capacity, heavier battery for my HTC Evo 3d. I will buy from them again.
Edit not happy with my chi chi tech batteries for sgs2. Loved it for HTC evo v 4g but it seems to be decidedly higher quality than these ones for the sgs2

Is this Battery Case Worth Buying?

Hi guys.. I'm thinking about buying this battery case for the mate 20X. It says it has a battery capacity of 6000 mah. Does this mean that this capacity is separate from the 5000 mah the phone has, so that I get a combined 11000 mah?
Has anyone here bought it? Is it worth buying?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Huawei-MATE-20-20-PRO-20-Lite-20X-Battery-Case-Power-Bank-Portable-Charger-Cover/193653945242
.

bump

Just some helpful advice from a recovered extended battery case addict. In the early days when phones didn't have quick charge and we're about 25-50% smaller, I always bought my phones based on the support of manufacturers making extended battery cases for it. As the phone market matured, batteries became bigger and locked in, I noticed that my power consumption was less likely to hit the max of the stock battery. The weights of the phones increased as well and I noticed a chronic pain on my pinky. This combined with the fact that the extended battery cases didn't have quick charge, rapid charge, super charge, it whatever "special" charge came with the phone, as well as a key missing feature of charge passthrough, caused me to drop the extended battery madness. I expect you to come to this conclusion on your own, because like me, you won't be convinced of extended battery cases being a bad joke until you see it for yourself. Make sure there is a good return policy.

Techronico said:
This combined with the fact that the extended battery cases didn't have quick charge, rapid charge, super charge, it whatever "special" charge came with the phone, as well as a key missing feature of charge passthrough, caused me to drop the extended battery madness. I expect you to come to this conclusion on your own, because like me, you won't be convinced of extended battery cases being a bad joke until you see it for yourself. Make sure there is a good return policy.
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Click to collapse
Hi techronico,
Appreciate the reply. As far as quick charge goes that will damage the battery in the case the same way it can damage the battery in the phone. This is why I have a slow charger to charge my phone healthily instead of risking permanently frying the phone's battery which will shorten its life. I'm no fan of quick charge.
Regarding pass-through the seller confirms that the power case is equipped with heat, overpower and temp protections. What do you think?
Just to be sure the power case doesnt degrade the phone battery do you think its best to charge the phone case and phone separately and not connected together?
Looking forward to your reply.

I would never spend money on anything like that since I can get 2 days on a single charge on my 20X. All the new phones now use LiPo batteries (the same cell type used in Tesla cars) and have no problems with quick charging and don't exhibit memory as it's predecessor battery types used to have.

ben63vw said:
I would never spend money on anything like that since I can get 2 days on a single charge on my 20X. All the new phones now use LiPo batteries (the same cell type used in Tesla cars) and have no problems with quick charging and don't exhibit memory as it's predecessor battery types used to have.
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Click to collapse
Hi ben,
I'm not talking about quick charging. I love slow charging.
Anyway I get 3 days from my 20X. The problem is when I have 30% left it starts to drain like crazy. Thats the reason for wanting the battery case.

Did you get the battery case in the end? They are available very cheaply now from Aliexpress. I don't really have a problem with battery life but am thinking it might be a nice gadget to have
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001888167787.html
or
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32996873773.html