[PLUG-TALK] Cell Phone Battery Life

[Galen Seitz]

Richard C. Steffens wrote:
> I have a Motorola RAZR that I bought back in the spring of 2006. I can
> usually go all day on a single charge, assuming 3 or 4 calls with a
> duration of 3-5 minutes each. If I make or get no calls, I can even go
> two days on one charge. I'm still on the original battery.
> 
> I've had two experiences lately that raise a question. Does the phone
> vary the power of its transmitter depending on the proximity to a cell
> tower?

Absolutely.  And as Alan mentioned, if your phone was in analog mode, 
that would drain the battery much faster.  However, many new phones 
don't even support analog anymore.  Something to keep in mind if 
you're headed to the boonies and are counting on your phone to bail 
you out.

If your phone has an antenna that can be extended, and it's practical 
to do so, extend it.  The signal improvement could lower the power drain.

galen