5G battery drain: Debunking myths and tips for optimisation

Back in February 2020, Realme launched the Realme X50 Pro 5G as India’s first 5G-enabled smartphone. At that time, only flagship and high-end phones had 5G capabilities. However, we are slowly starting to see brands launch affordable 5G phones. 

ALSO READ: Top smartphones with the fastest 5G speeds you can buy in India

With leading telecom operators like Jio and Airtel offering top-notch 5G experiences across the country, it makes sense to invest in a 5G phone. One of the misconceptions about 5G phones is that 5G consumes more power when enabled on your phone. But, is that really true? Read on, as we bunk a few myths around 5G phones suffering battery drain issues, and tell you a few tips to help to avoid the same as well. 

Does 5G actually consume more power?

One of the common myths about 5G technology is that it consumes more battery power than the previous generation, like 4G LTE. Research reveals a minimal power consumption difference between 5G and 4G when a 5G smartphone connects to widely available sub-6GHz 5G networks. 

However, when a 5G phone tries to connect with mmWave networks, which offer high-speed 5G connectivity, or searches for a 5G network in areas with limited coverage, it can consume more battery. Having said that, advancements in areas like chipsets and network optimisation have largely resolved this issue.

Do 5G antennas cause battery drain?

Some claim that 5G antennas present inside a smartphone can result in battery drain. Indeed, a 5G smartphone incorporates extra antennas to facilitate the use of multiple 5G frequency bands and MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) technology. But, modern smartphones incorporate power-efficient antenna systems and chipsets to reduce their impact on battery life.

Do 5G phones experience battery drain even on standby?

Some believe that a 5G phone can continue to consume battery juice even in standby mode. While others claim that the 5G hardware in the phone can drain the battery even when it’s not actively using 5G. In truth, there is no significant evidence to support this claim, and when a 5G phone is in standby mode, power consumption remains minimal.

Does 5G cause increased data usage, resulting in battery drain?

It goes without saying that 5G offers faster speeds for internet connectivity. There is a misconception that faster data connectivity can lead to faster battery drain. While it is true that faster speeds may encourage users to engage in data-intensive activities more frequently, the impact on battery life depends more on how efficiently the device and network manage data transmission than the speed itself.

Does 5G result in overheating and subsequent battery drain?

Some users have claimed that their 5G phones suffer from overheating, which results in battery drain. While this is possible, specific device models, network conditions, or software optimisations, rather than 5G technology itself, often cause such issues.

Tips to optimise your phone's battery life while using 5G

1. Disable 5G:

If an area has a weak 5G network, you can disable 5G for some time to prevent your phone from wasting power searching for a stronger signal.

2. Use Smart 5G:

Some smartphones offer “Smart 5G” or a similar feature that can automatically switch between 5G and 4G depending on the signal strength. This means the best available network will be used, and won’t impact the battery life. 

3. App Usage:

Be mindful of apps that use a lot of data (streaming video, games, and large downloads). If battery life is critical, consider using Wi-Fi for those tasks when it is available.

ALSO READ: What is network latency and how to reduce it?

4. Background Data:

Restrict background data usage for apps that don’t need real-time updates, especially when on 5G.

5. Software Updates:

Ensure your phone and apps are up to date, as patches often include optimisations for 5G power management.

Several brands have launched 5G phones with bigger 5,500mAh or 6,000mAh batteries to offer a longer battery life. Some of the recent ones include the Vivo T3x 5G, Samsung Galaxy F15 5G, Samsung Galaxy M15 5G, Motorola Moto G64 5G, Tecno Pova 6 Pro 5G, and more. With a large battery onboard, a 5G smartphone can last longer, helping to mitigate concerns about overheating and battery drain associated with 5G usage.