How long do phone batteries last?

I'm considering getting a Google Nexus 4 but the non-replaceable battery is turning me off. Ballpark conservative estimate- how long of a useful life can you expect out of the battery?

Comments

  • The phone will be out of date before the Batt dies. All iPhone batteries are non replaceable too btw.

  • how long of a useful life can you expect out of the battery?

    It quite depends on the quality of the battery and how often you charge/discharge it, wearing out the battery.

    My SGS2 battery still works fine after 1.8 years. The trick is not to fully discharge the battery too frequently (i.e. drain it to near zero levels) There is an explanation as to why here.

  • +1

    The ballpark figure I've heard is about two years. Keep in mind that this is just when maximum battery capacity is noticeably degraded (more than 20 to 25% lost) - batteries don't usually just fall over and die, their maximum life span gets shorter and shorter.

    If you don't mind charging your phone more often you could probably stretch it for a year or two further.

    My 3 month old Nex4 will easily last a moderate usage day without recharging (7am to 11pm for me) with around 40% in the tank, so I reckon I've got quite a while until it starts to bother me (and even then I can just start charging it at work).

  • -1

    If it's 2 years there is no way I'm buying one because I'll give you the tip- I will not be in the mood for throwing away something that cost me $300+ so I can update in 2 years.

    • You can always sell it to get money back, if you are no longer happy with how the battery performs. Or you could replace the battery yourself — there is already a replacement battery popping up on ebay. See this forum for more info
      http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2105350

      As said before, 2 years is only a ballpark figure and it's also the general period at which you will notice your battery being degraded. I'm sure it'll still be quite usable (as is the case with my SGS)

    • It will last as long as your current phone battery if not better.
      It's not like the battery stops working as soon as the clock ticks over 24 months, it'll just start to run out of juice sooner, meaning you'll need to charge it every night and if you use it a lot at work, might be worth having a charger there to keep it topped up.
      Not ideal, but doesn't affect most people.

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