Battery Life: The Next Big Smartphone Revolution

It seems as though smartphones are getting more powerful by the month. Manufacturers continue to push the envelope, producing devices that dazzle on all levels. There are already multiple dual-core processor devices on the market, and by next year we could see quad-core smartphones. Yet this isn’t a universal positive. While faster processor speeds will allow our devices to do more, they also drain batteries at increasing rates. This is a pretty large obstacle going forward, and it’s one that carriers and manufacturers alike will have to overcome.

Contemporary smartphones already perform a number of functions. In fact, they take the place of some common devices. For instance, if a user were so inclined she could ditch her MP3 player and digital camera completely, opting to use the smartphone to accomplish the same ends. The only trade-off comes from battery life. This is quite a bit deal, because smartphones can be a lifeline.

If the battery dies in an MP3 player, it might be an inconvenience. It means no more music until recharging. Ditto a digital camera. There are few instances where music is of the utmost necessity. A smartphone, however, performs a vital function. As a society we’ve made cell phones major parts of our lives. To be without one can, in some instances, be crippling. No one wants to be caught without a smartphone.

Android Smartphones have a big problem with battery life

As such, people will still continue to carry around separate devices, even though their smartphones can do the same things. Yet it stands to reason that people would prefer to ditch their devices and have everything in one spot. That means some major energy efficiency initiatives by manufacturers. That’s the only way that they’re going to help take smartphones to the next level, especially as they get faster and more powerful.

Carriers, too, have a part in this. Cellular networks are getting faster thanks to LTE networks. While the faster speeds are welcome, the drain on battery life is not. In cases when users need to conserve battery life they might even switch back to 3G-only, which defeats the purpose of LTE. It’s up to carriers to work with manufacturers in finding a way to provide consistently fast LTE speeds without causing unnecessary battery drain. Failure to do so will only slow adoption of LTE devices.

The future looks bright for smartphone technology. The potential exists to eliminate the need for multiple devices and house everything under one roof. The one issue standing in the way, however, is battery life. Manufacturers have to figure out how to make their batteries more efficient — or create all new sources of energy — in order to combat this. Carriers, too, have to figure out how to deliver 4G data in an efficient manner. Combined, we could see a complete shift in how we use our mobile devices.

Joe Pawlikowski is the editor of BBGeeks.com. Every day he provides tips and features apps that can help users get the most out of their BlackBerry smartphones.