We can't tell you how many customers send their devices into us due to iPhone 5c battery problems. We suspect that one central reason we get a disproportionate number of battery repair requests is because Apple users don't realize that battery maintenance has its own set of standards apart from general device upkeep. More often than not, many iPhone 5c users – even those who otherwise treat their device with the care it deserves – overlook certain practices that can prolong battery life, and, by that same token, engage in tasks that can be detrimental to the life-force of the phone. Therefore, we thought we'd highlight some iPhone 5c battery life tips:
- Be mindful of the difference between “operating” and “nonoperating” temperature. In its summary of the environmental requirements for an iPhone 5c to work, Apple defines the “nonoperating” temperature parameters as being between -4 and 113 degrees F. That is a pretty wide margin, but it's important to point out that the term “nonoperating” should be taken quite literally. Some people falsely assume that this spectrum means the device can be used in these extreme temperatures. But believing that is a recipe for battery disaster, since the operational range for the iPhone 5c is between 32 and 95 degrees F.
- Turn off – or at least modify – Location Services. As iPhone Hacks points out, the Location Services function on the device is a significant battery drainer, since it relies on a steady stream of data from GPS and Wi-Fi hotspots to pinpoint your location at all times. Not surprisingly, this amounts to a pretty battery-intensive task, and you can quickly find yourself with diminished battery life. To reverse this, simply modify your specifications for the feature by going to Settings > Privacy > Location Services. There, you can decide to either keep it on or off. If you're looking for some kind of middle ground, however, you can decide that only certain apps may use location services.
- Anticipate battery accidents before they occur. According to DigitalTrends, an eighth grade girl in Maine was in for a huge shock when her iPhone's battery exploded. Don't worry, she was just fine – but the phone, well, that's a different story. The root of the problem was that the girl had been storing the device in her back pocket, and the accumulation of significant pressure on the battery caused a buildup of pressure that led to one unfortunate “Pop!” In the girl's case, catastrophe could have been avoided by not keeping the phone in a place where undue sustained pressure would be applied. The Maine girl's predicament is not unique: iPhone users all over the world constantly place their devices in precarious positions that threaten its usability. Think back on your own treatment of your device. Have you ever taken it to the beach with you on a stiflingly hot day? If so, then you've also engaged in the kind of behavior that can ruin an iPhone's battery. Be proactive and avoid situations like this so problems don't materialize.