How to Maximize Smartphone’s Battery Life While Travelling
The irony of modern travel is that, while our smartphones have become indispensable companions for capturing memories, navigating unknown terrains, and staying connected with others even if you’re miles apart, they’re also notorious for running out of juice just when we need them the most.
It’s a terrible inconvenience, especially when you’re on the road and need to access the apps and files on your phone. So, how can you squeeze more life out of your phone’s battery while you’re travelling?
This article offers a comprehensive list of tips to keep your device up and running for longer, so you can focus on soaking up new experiences rather than constantly finding a power outlet.
Battery-Saving Tips You Need to Know
Use a Local SIM Card
A roaming data plan often requires your phone to work harder to establish a connection, thereby consuming more power. So, use a local SIM card instead of roaming as this can be more energy-efficient on your phone battery. If you’re spending a couple of weeks in Singapore, for instance, a quick search on mobile plan comparison in Singapore can help you find a local SIM card that best suits your needs and extends your phone’s battery life. This way, you won’t have to worry about your phone constantly searching for a stable roaming signal, which allows you to focus on exploring.
Lower Screen Brightness
The settings of your screen brightness are often the main culprit in rapidly draining your battery, so reducing it can substantially prolong its lifespan. If you’re exploring a museum or having a cosy meal in a dim restaurant, you can lower the screen brightness since you don’t need your screen to glow so brightly when you’re indoors or not in direct sunlight. Most smartphones have an “auto-brightness” feature that adjusts the brightness level based on your surroundings, which can be a handy option to enable while travelling.
Use Screen Timeout Settings
Did you know that the longer your screen stays on, the faster your battery drains? It’s true, so it’s best to change your phone’s settings to allow your screen to turn off after a short period of inactivity. Imagine you’re waiting at a train station and constantly checking the time on your phone. If your screen timeout is set to 5 minutes, your phone will unnecessarily use up battery life during those idle moments. Instead of that, set the timeout to 15 or 30 seconds to conserve more energy.
Turn On Battery Saver Mode
Many smartphones have a battery saver option that automatically adjusts settings to reduce power consumption. This usually involves limiting background processes, reducing screen brightness, and turning off visual effects. It comes in handy when you’re travelling, as you won’t need all your apps updating and running themselves in the background. So, switching on battery saver mode will allow you to still receive calls and messages without wasting energy on non-essential functions.
Utilize Aeroplane Mode
Turning on aeroplane mode can be a battery-saving lifesaver during your travels. When activated, it disconnects all wireless communication, meaning your phone is not continually searching for a network. For example, if you’re snorkelling and want to use your waterproof smartphone to take underwater photos, switching to aeroplane mode can help your phone last longer for that perfect shot of coral reefs and colourful fishes. Plus, if you want to really immerse yourself in your trip, turning on aeroplane mode can help disable push notifications, blocking out distracting pings and vibrations from your phone so you can focus on your own enjoyment.
Choose Wi-Fi over Cellular Data
Whenever possible, connect to Wi-Fi during your trip as it usually consumes less battery compared to cellular data, thus allowing you to save some battery juice. If you’re merely lounging in your hostel or sipping on coffee in a café while uploading pictures or checking in with family and friends, ask the staff for the Wi-Fi password and turn off your cellular data to ensure that your battery will last a bit longer during your trip.
Use Offline Maps
Mapping apps like Google Maps allow you to download maps for offline use, which can be a massive battery saver as it prevents the GPS from constantly pulling data and draining your phone. If you’re backpacking through a remote area with limited connectivity, like a mountain range, offline maps can help keep you on the right path so that you won’t get lost. You can also navigate without worrying about both data charges and battery drainage.
Optimized Charging
Some smartphones offer optimised battery charging settings that slow down battery ageing. This helps the phone maintain its charge capacity over time. Before you fly off to your next destination, take a moment to enable this feature. Over the long term, this small action can contribute to maintaining a more resilient battery, ensuring you can rely on your smartphone during many more travels.
Temperature Control
Extreme temperatures can significantly affect your phone’s battery life, which is why it’s important to keep your phone in a cool place. This tip can help preserve its battery longevity. When you’re skiing in the Alps or sunbathing on a Caribbean beach, remember that your phone doesn’t appreciate the extreme temperatures unlike you do. To maintain better battery performance, store it in an insulated pocket or a shaded area.
Travel without Worrying over Your Phone Battery
Travelling often involves juggling various aspects, from booking flights to waking up early in the morning to beat the tourist crowd. Worrying about your phone’s battery should be the least of your concerns.
Hence, these tips are designed to help you get the most out of your smartphone’s battery life, leaving you free to enjoy the most important part of your journey—the experience itself. Go explore that hidden alley, capture that glittering sea, and immerse yourself in new experiences as you travel without the stress of a dying battery.
