Phone upgrade = catastrophic battery drain

trentsc

Evening all,

I've got an interesting/frustrating situation with T-Mobile and I'd be grateful for any suggestions as to how best I can move this forward. If it's relevant, my 18-month contract run out in April and I have a Samsung Galaxy SIII as part of the contract. My monthly contract gives me 300 texts, 300 minutes and unlimited date.

A couple of weeks ago, Samsung released an update to Android - version 4.3 - and when I plugged my phone into my computer, I was offered the update and took it, following the instructions provided. Immediately after the update, the battery usage collapsed: where previously I'd got 18+hours on a full charge and normal usage, it's now 4-5 hours, even with wifi and Bluetooth switched off. This is a well-known issue, apparently - Google is positively stuffed with discussion about it.

A reset will only take the phone back to "factory settings" with Android 4.3 rather than 4.2, and while I know I could root the phone, I don't want to and I have no guarantee that this would solve the problem, and it would definitely invalidate any warranty I might have.

A further problem arises because I received a text today telling me that I've exceeded 80% of my data allowance (despite being on an unlimited plan) and that I should follow the instructions on the link provided, which didn't work.

So, I called T-Mobile and they explained that the phone problem isn't their responsibility - I've discovered that Samsung is aware of the issue and is working on a solution, although T-Mobile have no idea of when this will happen. Further, their position is that the fair use policy is immutable - when I hit the limit, data access will be cut off until the next billing date (in 2 weeks).

My position is that I've been forced onto data rather than wifi because I've had to switch off wifi to stop the battery running out even faster, but T-Mobile aren't interested. And of course I'm stuck with a near-unusable phone.

Where do I stand? To my mind, the mobile phone is unfit for purpose: I can't take it out of the door without a spare battery AND charger, I can't use my Bluetooth devices. However, T-Mobile won't, at this stage, budge.

Separately, T-Mobile is unable to provide a means to locate the fair usage policy on their website, and I've been through every option on my account page on their site.

Look forward to any comments.

Trent

mije1983

Is it the Full Monty tariff you are on, as that is totally unlimited with no FUP.

However, I believe the other plans give you a set amount of data (for example 1GB) for downloads, but unlimited browsing.

I know that doesn't help with the main problem you have, but thought I'd bring it up anyway!

Just a thought, but if you are trying to save battery (and data usage) would it not be better to turn off mobile data and turn on wi-fi?

jc292

As this is an Android phone, I strongly recommend the JuiceDefender app. There's a free version, a version for a small fee (might have cost me 2 pounds?) and a version for a larger fee (I didn't buy).

At least with the 2 pound one I'm using (and maybe with the free one too) it can be set to manage your mobile data connection so that it is only enabled while the phone's screen is on i.e. phone not in standby. All other times the mobile data and wifi will be off. Incoming calls are not affected.

I'm also on Android 4.3 (on my Nexus 5) and there's a new feature in this version of Android that keeps the wifi on even when its actually turned off (go figure) in order to sense nearby wifi hotspots (this is used to help determine your location for various google services). You might want to check this "helpful feature" is also turned off.

[EDIT: To add check for the wifi]...

At least on my Android 4.3 (Nexus 5) go to the list of Wifi Networks, at the bottom right there's a menu (three vertical dots ...) and in here an item "Advanced". On that advanced wifi menu there is the option "Scanning always available: Let Google's locaiton service and other apps scan for networks, even when Wi-Fi is off". You want to uncheck that and possibly also "Keep Wifi On During Sleep"

trentsc

Thanks for the prompt replies. I already have Juice Defender, and those location services are already switched off.

There are several thousand forums on dealing with this issue and as yet, nobody's cracked it, which is why Samsung is working on the problem. My interest is how I stand with T-Mobile, the company with whom I have the contract.

matelodave

Who suggested that you upgrade your phone - Samsung or T-Mobile?.


If it was T-Mobile then you might have a case that they've given you bad advice or even a poor service by providing you with problem software.
However, if it was Samsung that suggested it and it was you that took the decision to do it, then it's you that have modified the phone and it's actually nothing to do with T-Mobile. They could (and probably will) tell you that you have applied an unauthorised modification to the phone and that it is your responsibility, not theirs. In which case, all you can do is hope that Samsung sort it out quickly because there's probably a clause in the Samsung upgrade T&Cs that absolves them of any responsibility on it going wrong

cielschwards

I had also faced this kind of problem. It is only because of the android 4.3 version have some bugs. due to which your phone battery going down in few hours, Try to download the 4.2 version of android on your phone again
may b it will solve your battery problem. Android apps will not be able to come out from this problem

JJ_Egan

One its a know problem for some 4.3 OTA Updates .
Repeat only for some and restoring to early may well be more problematic as you may lose your network .
Suggest backup data and factory reset .
That fails service centre or flash stock 4.3 rom via Odin .