Eliana Willis

Kerry Wan/ZDNETI’ve spent a significant part of my life finding new ways to extend battery life on Android phones. It might sound dramatic, but growing up with only budget Android devices meant I was constantly tweaking settings to maximize battery performance and squeeze every bit of life out of a single charge. to nothing but poorly made Android devices meant I’ve always tinkered with their settings to maximize charge and push my phone’s battery life to the limit.Also: The end of ChromeOS is a new dawn for cheap Android laptopsSo, when I started writing this guide on the settings you should use to save battery life, it all came naturally to me. These settings are the most effective, easiest, and quickest ways to save battery life regardless of the Android phone you’re rocking, whether it’s the latest device from Samsung, a fancy Google Pixel, or a cutting-edge OnePlus device. Plus, you won’t have to sacrifice the high-quality experience of using your phone.Note: While all these settings are available on practically any Android phone you can buy, the process for adjusting them can vary between devices. Keep this in mind when following the steps I lay out because the approach might be slightly different depending on which phone you’re using.1. Turn off the always-on displayOne of the biggest battery drainers for any smartphone is the always-on display. Companies regularly tell you that this display setting only drains about 1% to 2% an hour, but let’s be honest — it’s always way more. It may be nice to glance at your phone while it sits on a table to check the time, but it’s probably not worth sacrificing battery life.Also: This Gemini update for Android lets you do more without unlocking your phoneHow to: Open the Settings app and locate the Lock Screen portion of the app, whether it’s in the main list of settings or under “Display”. From there, you’ll find the option to “always show info” or a simple toggle to enable the Always On Display. Either way, turn the option off and check to make sure your screen goes completely blank when you lock it.2. Enable Adaptive BatteryThere’s a handy feature built into Androids called Adaptive Battery, and it’s available on most devices. Adaptive Battery can automatically manage your phone’s performance and efficiency in the background using special processes to extend your battery life. For example, when you don’t need maximum performance for something simple like scrolling through your inbox, the setting will throttle things down and save you some juice.How to: Go to Settings > Battery > Adaptive preferences and check to ensure “Adaptive battery” is enabled. If it’s not, flick it on.3. Activate Battery SaverAlongside Adaptive Battery, Battery Saver mode is another helpful feature that can extend the longevity of your smartphone between charges. The feature makes sweeping changes across your device’s software, like limiting visual effects, restricting apps in the background, and turning on dark mode if it isn’t already on. Also: The best power banks you can buy: Expert testedPixel phones take this effort further by having an Extreme Battery Saver, which deactivates more features and pauses most apps. However, because it greatly restricts an Android phone’s performance, I recommend only using Extreme Battery Saver when it’s absolutely necessary, such as when the phone’s charge is in the single digits.Most, if not all, Android phones possess a Battery Saver function, although they may have different names. On Galaxy phones, for example, it’s called Power Saving mode. Others may refer to it as low-power mode. Be sure to visit your phone’s manufacturer’s support website for help on your model.How to: On Pixel phones, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver. You can also choose a schedule for when the feature will activate or turn off automatically. On Galaxy phones, go to Settings > Battery and device care > Battery. Flip the toggle switch next to Power Saving to activate the feature.4. Switch to dark mode More

Nataliia Karpenko/Getty Images With the holiday season upon us, many companies are finding ways to take advantage, whether through deals, promotions, or other campaigns. OpenAI has found a way to participate with its “12 days of OpenAI.”  On Wednesday, OpenAI announced via an X post that it would be holding 12 days of OpenAI starting […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Brane X Bluetooth speaker is available now on Amazon for $499. It delivers the loudest, clearest bass of any portable speaker I’ve tested. Getting the Brane X connected to the app can be a bit tricky. –> If bass is your jam, then you probably know that most Bluetooth speakers […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G is a full-color, color paper, and ink paper tablet available at Verizon for $239. It’s a great entertainment tablet for daily use that also functions very well as an e-reader. Although the screen is versatile, don’t expect the graphics to compare to those on an […] More

Bigger is better, right? While that’s often true when it comes to TVs, there are times when a smaller set is exactly what you need. Maybe you’re furnishing a spare bedroom, or your kids have been asking for their own TV. Maybe you have a small desk that needs a TV or you need something that’s easy to move. There’s no shortage of options for 32-inch TVs these days, so how do you know what’s best? That depends on your needs. Do you want the most affordable choice where quality doesn’t matter or do you want the absolute best picture money can buy? Do you want something that’s easy to use or a mix of factors?Also: The best Black Friday TV deals live nowZDNET rounded up the best 32-inch TVs available, taking into account factors like display type, smart technology, and price. Here’s a look at our top picks.What is the best 32-inch TV right now?If you simply want the best, it’s going to be very difficult to beat Samsung’s Frame More

The Arlo Pro 5S is easy to install, thanks to its built-in battery. Maria Diaz/ZDNETWhat’s the deal?The Arlo Pro 5S 2K security camera More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The OnePlus Pad 2 is the company’s latest Android tablet with a premium design and flagship specs for $550. It’s compatible with a keyboard and pen that OnePlus sells separately, so you can turn it into an Android-powered laptop. While the multitasking features are excellent, and the Pad 2 checks all […] More