Smartphones have evolved a huge amount since Steve Jobs first introduced the iPhone in 2007 - but the battery life, for many, still remains disappointingly weak. So how can you squeeze more battery life out of your iPhone in order to ensure your device doesn't run out of juice before the end of the day?
Thankfully, Apple itself has three tips for boosting battery life - regardless of which model you use.
If you only want to use your phone for making and receiving calls, use the low power mode. Simply go to Settings, click Battery option, and then turn on Low Power Mode. Some estimates say battery charges will last about one and a half times longer using Low Power Mode.
The catch with using this option is that your iPhone - beyond making and receiving calls - will execute tasks more slowly and it also disables many of the functions users love most.
So, Apple says there are two other simple ways you can preserve battery life 'no matter how you use your device: adjust your screen brightness and use Wi‑Fi.’
Dimming your screen even slightly will cut the amount of electricity it uses, as keeping the panel lit up is one of the biggest drains on your phone’s battery. Apple says: ‘Dim the screen or turn on Auto-Brightness to extend battery life.'
To dim, go to Settings, open Display & Brightness, and drag the slider to reduce the brightness. Alternatively, and probably the better option for most users, it's best to enable Auto-Brightness - which automatically ensures that your screen is never ‘over-lit’ for the environment that you are in.
Apple says, ‘Auto-Brightness adjusts your screen to lighting conditions automatically. To activate it, go to Settings > General > Accessibility > Display Accommodations and set Auto-Brightness to On.’ Tech experts say that reducing the brightness of the screen can have a large impact on battery life, potentially doubling the life of your device.
Apple advises that users should also ensure their device is on a Wi-Fi network wherever possible to save battery when consuming data. Apple says, ‘When you use your device to access data, a Wi‑Fi connection uses less power than a mobile network - so keep Wi‑Fi on at all times.'
‘To turn on Wi‑Fi, go to Settings > Wi‑Fi to access a Wi‑Fi network.’