Phone batteries die faster in times of crisis, and it is not just because people spend more time online.
When cell towers are damaged or overloaded, phones work harder to stay connected, using up more power. Weak signals, frequent reconnecting, and increased activity from the phone’s modem are among the main reasons the battery does not last as long in these situations.
The biggest factor is weak or unstable signal strength. When phones struggle to connect to a cell tower, they increase transmission power. The power amplifier inside a phone is one of its most power-hungry parts, and it works overtime when signals are weak.
Researchers have found that signal strength worsens during emergencies when networks are overloaded or damaged, meaning that phones use more energy just to stay online.
These networks can become overloaded as people simultaneously make calls, send messages, and use data to check in with others. Heavy traffic can lead to slower connections and repeated data transmissions, leading the phone’s radio and processor to stay active for longer.
Even when it is not actively being used, a phone’s modem is constantly talking to nearby towers, checking in and syncing. When downloading data, the modem is responsible for 40 percent of total mobile energy consumption.
When the network is unstable, phones switch between towers or network types to find a better connection. They have to reconnect and re-sync more often, which pushes energy use higher.
When the network is weak or unstable, phones have to do more behind the scenes—like resending data or running extra checks—to maintain a connection. This extra work means the radio and processor are busier than usual, which leads to even faster battery drain.
Reports of GPS interference could also have an impact. People in the United Arab Emirates have reported GPS systems showing incorrect locations or simply failing to load. When a device struggles to find an accurate satellite signal, the GPS chip continues scanning and recalculating location fixes, which keeps the sensor and processor active and consumes more battery.
How to Save Battery
Simple fixes like lowering screen brightness and shortening screen time-out settings can reduce power consumption. The Power Saving mode limits background activity and closes unnecessary apps. And reducing how often email and social media sync for updates conserves energy, as frequent syncing keeps the device active even when it is not being used.
Researchers found that delaying background traffic cut down energy consumption by up to 23.7 and 21.5 percent under Wi-Fi and 3G, respectively.
When in an area with weak reception, turn of mobile data if it is not needed, and disable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS to conserve energy. All of these functions regularly scan for signals in the background.
Keeping device software updated can improve energy efficiency, and using the correct charger and avoiding extreme heat and cold helps maintain long-term battery health. Modern smartphone batteries also perform better when they are not fully discharged, so keeping the battery above roughly 20 percent can help preserve its lifespan, according to Samsung.