Author: Derick David
I’ve been using an iPhone since 2016. Started with the iPhone 6, then iPhone 7, then iPhone X, then iPhone 14 Pro. But there’s this common repeating problem with the experience of using an iPhone, and that’s the battery.
As for context, I spend most of my time outside. I also travel more often. This summer, I went on a vacation for a weekend with my family to a beautiful lakeside in Northern Italy. It’s called Riva Del Garda.
And what’s the problem?
My iPhone battery got used up really fast.
You have to put yourself in my shoes. Italy is the most beautiful place on the planet. Of course, it’s impossible not to take pictures every time. Then, as any modern millennial, I often upload stories on Instagram. As many people know already, Instagram consumes a lot of battery. Like a lot.
I had to adjust the app settings to reduce how much it consumes. But no matter what I adjust in any settings, it barely makes any difference.
Putting yourself in my shoes
So in my travels, I take pictures and videos constantly. I go to social media like Instagram and Facebook to upload and share about my travels and daily adventures. I check my email. I check emails again. Now I also use chatbot apps like ChatGPT and Claude. And let’s not forget Medium, where I check any recent notifications about my blog. Not to mention using Google Maps for directions and navigation.
So you can see what I mean, right?
Now you might say, “Why not carry a power bank?” Why should I always carry one? Yes, I do. But why do we have to depend so much on this? I don’t think switching to iPhone Pro models will help either, and I don’t like them because they’re too big for my hand.
What I do nowadays is carry my MacBook Pro with me in my backpack. My girlfriend keeps asking me, “Why do you always carry your laptop wherever you go?” Well, this is the answer. So I can conveniently charge my iPhone with it. It has become my new standard. Whether I’m traveling or just going to our library to work, I carry it. It has become my power bank.
When I traveled to Riva Del Garda, I charged my phone at least three times per day. You know how much of a hassle that could be if you’re not at home or your hotel?
My girlfriend owns an Android
My girlfriend, on the other hand, uses a 5-year-old $400 Android phone whose battery charge can last the whole day. And she takes a lot of pics and videos too. Heck, she even takes a lot of calls on WhatsApp!
This is what gave me the realization. No matter how much I love the iPhone and its amazing ecosystem, something has to change.
I’ve had enough of my iPhone getting a low battery so quickly. You have no idea how many times I’ve been pretty pissed this summer. How many times have I traveled this summer? At least 5 times. To Riccione at the beach. To Cervia, too. To Rome for a few days. To Riva del Garda in northern Italy for a weekend.
In all of these, I had to carry my MacBook Pro just to make sure my iPhone was all charged up for our adventures. The beauty of having a phone that works is that you can actually use it without anxiety.
My girlfriend, who’s constantly taking photos, during lunch, at dinner, and somehow still has battery left for bedtime scrolling. The contrast was impossible to ignore.
Working Around iPhone’s Problems
Of course, using an iPhone isn’t always “sunshine and rainbows.” Someone told me this is an American phrase. Since I got my first iPhone in 2016, the battery has always been partly the cause of anxiety when I travel.
Does it mean iPhone is bad? The answer is no because maybe I’m just not using it the right way, and change can be really uncomfortable, so I might not know all the best practices yet to keep my phone alive.
But iPhone usage doesn’t necessarily mean light usage. iPhone usage is about living a life like a digital nomad while still being able to capture your experiences and ideas for the world, regardless of your current location.
This wasn’t a problem just 5 years ago with older phones, but today it is completely different. All you need is your phone, an internet connection, and your creativity.
In the bigger picture, the cons definitely outweigh the pros when it comes to battery life. It just takes too much mental energy to manage, but reliable phone usage is definitely the future I see.
What I miss about old phones
Even though I’m currently using an iPhone 14 Pro, I grew up using phones that lasted days without charging. Nokia phones were legendary for this. It’s where I started my relationship with mobile technology more than a decade ago.
Those phones were the devices where some of the most reliable communication happened. You could call, text, and even play Snake for hours without worrying about battery.
What I absolutely miss about having a phone with great battery life is the peace of mind and being able to feel free from charging anxiety. It always reminds me of a simpler time when phones were tools, not anxiety sources.
There are a lot of people still using older phones in pursuit of reliability, and a lot of tech enthusiasts who are in their own type of battery optimization, some successfully. No judgment! That’s what I miss the most. The simplicity, the reliability, and of course the freedom!
What I don’t miss for sure is the limited functionality of those old phones. Since technology evolved, getting modern features is surely necessary.
Am I switching to Android?
Staying with iPhone can come at a cost. Ask me, I was using one of the most expensive phones available and dealing with battery anxiety almost daily, which comes at an opportunity cost in terms of mental energy, stress, and missed opportunities.
Now I’m considering Android.
You can do so much with a phone that actually works, and I’m not only talking about basic usage, but you can capture memories without stress as well. Are expensive flagship phones now just anxiety machines?
Nobody knows an accurate answer to that.
However, there’s one thing I know for sure. I’m ready to explore other options and live a better life without the anxiety while still capturing great memories and staying connected.
Currently accepting Android or new phone recommendations in the comments!
