A thread by @[email protected] (cross-posted from: https://lemmy.today/post/3507919 )
This is a guide to a longer lasting Android device, from choosing one to how to preserve the life of the one that you have.
Choosing a long-lasting and repair friendly phone:
To get the best shot at longevity, start with a high quality device from a manufacture with a history of long term device support, and one that regularly releases there modifications to the kernel source code. A device that has an unlockable bootloader (XDA developers Forums is a good place to see about ROM support), and is user repairable (See iFixit’s Smartphone Repairability Scores) will allow you to keep the software & hardware going the longest. Both the Google Pixels, and Fairphone’s line are a good place to start.
Before you use your phone
- Use a good sturdy case like an Otterbox
- Apply a liquid “screen protector” then a screen protector on top, Sapphire being the best (but very expensive).
Battery
Lithium-ion (LI-on) battery’s wear out faster when near the upper and lower charge levels (read why here: Battery University, so avoid charging or discarding the battery fully, aiming for around 20~80% is a good target.
Charging
- Avoid fast & wireless charging. (to reduce the heat the battery endures)
- Use a magnetic charging cable to reduce the wear on the plug (Like Volta), you need a bulky case to have it flush to not make the phone uncomfortable to hold though.
- When/If you use a regular charging cable don’t move the phone when it’s plugged in, movement wears the plug much sooner.
Use a charge limiting feature. (Listed in order of recommendation.)
- If your phone has a built Smart battery charge management feature, use that.
- If you have Root use ACCA(a GUI for ACC) (recommended, automatic)
- Buy a cut off switch, like a Chargie by Lighty Electronics that’s has an app to auto cut off power based on power draw or charge level. Note that in The newest Android versions restricts the APP from auto enabling Bluetooth, making this a bit of a meh solution. Using an Automation APP like Tasker to turn off a Home Assistant-controlled smart plug when the battery exceeds a reprogramming threshold might be a more reliable method.
- Download an APP that alerts you at charge levels, (AccuBattery, Battery Guru: Monitor & Health, etc.
Waking & Locking the screen
Try to avoid using the power button, as it’s a common fail point
To wake
1. Use the features “Lift to check phone/events” and “Double-Tap to check phone”
2. Use the fingerprint reader to wake and unlock.
To lock/turn off the screen
1. Use a launcher that support double tapping the home screen to lock it (Nova launcher, Smart launcher, etc.)
2. Use Googles Quick Tap feature if you have a Pixel or the APP Tap, Tap for any Android to lock the screen. (Note: battery life might suffer)
3. Use a short Screen Time out.
TIPS
- Get a new case to get a fresh look and feel when your tired of the one you have
This is the best summary I could come up with:
When your phone becomes unusable and unrepairable, buy a Fairphone.
while I admire the cause, putting such a slow SoC in it really lampoons its claim of being future proof.
And the lack of a headphone jack makes it a nonstarter for a lot of people who would normally be interested in it.
If you have an OtterBox case, do you really need a screen protector on it?
Amazing in 2023 people still referencing that 30 year old battery University article.
And liquid screen protector with a physical screen protector? C’mon my guy it’s just a phone.
It’s still accurate unless your phone mfgr is already enforcing hidden capacity restriction in firmware. Battery tech has improved over the last couple of decades but the fundamentals haven’t changed.
If you want to maintain battery health check to see if your phone maker offers a “battery protection” feature in battery settings. On Samsung devices this limits charge capacity to about 80 or 85% of total capacity (ie you charge from 0 to 85% physical capacity, but the phone reports 0 to 100%.) This reduces charging wear and dramatically extends battery healthspan.
If your mfgr doesn’t offer this feature you can limit charging using the magisk ACC module - I limit all of my devices to 85% max charge this way and my battery wear over the course of a year is something like 2-4% rather than 5-15%.
