General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIs my cell phone on its deathbed? It is almost 2 years since I bought the phone.
I thought the battery was dying, because it wouldn't hold a charge very long. So I bought
a new battery (about $40!!) and the same thing seems to be happening.
If it were a car, I'd say it was the alternator.
leveymg
(36,418 posts)So, I did as expected and used my "upgrade" to get another, newer, faster, fancier black slab -- along with another 2-year service and data plan -- from the same telco.
Maybe it's the flu going around . . .
raccoon
(31,138 posts)slackmaster
(60,567 posts)Replacement batteries range widely in price and quality.
tech3149
(4,452 posts)Get a land line for basic service and VOIP for cheap/free LD. I found I'm much happier when I can choose when I want to be in touch with the rest of the world. When I had the cell phone it was like an anchor around my neck. It was 24/7 dealing with other peoples problems or answering questions that shouldn't have to be asked.
The two big problems are do you need to be in touch wherever you are and are you so important that you can't afford to be out of touch?
I just did a family get together and had the chance to play with my baby sisters smartphone. Nice toy, lot's of useable features but I'd never drop the $ for what it could offer.
To your original point, planned obsolescence is and has been a corporate model for decades. I can't and will not support a throwaway economy. I fix anything and everything I can to make it last as long as possible.
raccoon
(31,138 posts)madmom
(9,681 posts)check the incoming number. If I don't know the number, I don't answer it. If I do and don't feel like dealing with that person, I don't answer it. The phone is for MY not everyone elses.
bananas
(27,509 posts)GPS and wifi can eat the battery, so can apps running in background.
If you're using a droid, you could try things like Juice Defender and Juice Plotter.
You can see what's using the battery from the system menu,
somewhere down in one of the menu subtrees.
raccoon
(31,138 posts)KurtNYC
(14,549 posts)could even be in the chips. But check the charger or try another one, like if you have a car charger, and see if that makes any difference.
Also, eBay is a great place to buy cell batteries. They are $3 instead of $40+
dionysus
(26,467 posts)eShirl
(18,511 posts)see if that fools it
bullwinkle428
(20,631 posts)my 4-year-old iPhone is still chugging along pretty nicely, as far as holding its charge. And I use that puppy all the time, for e-mails and web surfing beyond just the phone calls.
sarcasmo
(23,968 posts)Javaman
(62,540 posts)The thing was a brick and was as tough as one. It was completely no frills, but it always worked. This "smart phone" have now, completely sucks as have all the ones that have replaced my old nokia.
HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)I've got the same deal now that I had 12 years ago - five phones, unlimited calling between them and 700 shared minutes per month for $115. They keep calling to offer me "better deals" and I just rifle off that information. Every single time they say they can't top it. I'm grandfathered in as long as I keep the contract going. New phones range from free to $30 (for the flip style we all like) and pretty much all you have to do is say you'll keep the contract for another 2 years. Threatening to change providers can get you a discount even under the "my phone is dead" circumstance, but I've never felt the need to do so.
Honestly I can't comprehend why the batteries are so damn expensive. I can get a battery for a UPS unit for less than the cost of a cell phone battery! Go figure.