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There is no five-setting checklist that will extend battery life on every Android phone. The useful starting point is to see what is draining your battery, then adjust only the settings that matter on your device. These are five Google-related settings I check and, when appropriate, restrict; the impact varies by phone maker, Android version, apps, and how you use them.
Check what is using battery before changing settings
Open Settings > Battery > Battery Usage and look for apps or features consuming an unusually large share of power. Menu names and paths vary by device. Google’s Android battery guide also identifies high screen brightness, background apps, unnecessary connectivity, and location services as possible contributors to fast drain.
Use the list below as a set of targeted checks, not a prescription to turn everything off. If an item barely appears in Battery Usage or you rely on its functions, changing it may offer little benefit and make the phone less useful.
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1. Background activity for apps that do not need it
Apps that frequently work in the background can use power even when you are not actively using them. Start with an app that shows up prominently in Battery Usage, then look for its battery or background-use controls in Settings. Restrict only apps that do not need timely updates.
#1 Best Overall
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
The trade-off is that an app may refresh less often, and notifications or other updates may arrive late. Avoid blanket restrictions on messaging, navigation, safety, or work apps if you depend on prompt updates.
2. Location access or high-accuracy location for apps that do not need it
Review which apps can access location and whether they need it all the time. If an app only needs location while you use it, consider changing its permission to that scope or removing access. Keep location available for navigation and other services that genuinely depend on it.
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Location power use depends on accuracy, frequency, and latency. High accuracy can use significantly more power; balanced or lower-power location may be enough for many apps. A mapping app actively guiding you may need high accuracy. Android Developers explains these trade-offs in its location battery guidance.
3. Unneeded location updates and background location checks
For apps that request location repeatedly, consider whether they need to check it so often or while running in the background. Prefer less frequent updates or foreground-only access when that still supports the feature you want. The exact controls depend on the app and Android version.
Rank #3
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
Less frequent checks can reduce freshness: location-based alerts or updates may be slower. Android 8.0 (API level 26) introduced platform limits that throttle background location gathering and make Wi-Fi scans more conservative. Android Developers reports up to 10 times better battery performance for geofencing responsiveness on some devices in this developer/API context; it is not a typical consumer saving estimate or a guarantee for a particular phone.
4. Connectivity you are not using
Turn off wireless connections you do not need, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, when they are actively contributing to drain on your device. Google’s battery guide lists unnecessary connectivity as a possible cause of fast drain. Check Battery Usage and consider your routine before disabling anything: Bluetooth accessories, Wi-Fi calling, device finding, and other connected features may depend on these radios.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
This is a situational check, not a reason to routinely switch off every connection. The practical cost is losing the functions that rely on the connection until you turn it back on.
5. Pixel Battery Saver behavior, when available
On Pixel phones, Battery Saver is an option when you want to conserve power, but its limits affect convenience. Google says apps may refresh only when opened, location services stop while the screen is off, low-priority notifications may be delayed, and the phone stops listening for “Ok Google.” Availability and behavior vary; some steps require Android 11 or later. See Google’s Pixel Battery Saver instructions.
Best Value
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
Use it when those trade-offs are acceptable, rather than assuming it is a universally available Android setting or leaving it on without considering delayed updates and voice access.
Keep Adaptive Battery and app optimization enabled
Disabling Android’s battery optimization is not a general battery-saving move. Google Pixel Help recommends keeping Adaptive Battery and battery optimization on, noting that optimization disabled for an app can allow more background activity and use more battery. Its guidance is Pixel-specific; other manufacturers may label or implement controls differently. Read Google Pixel Help’s battery optimization guidance before changing app-level optimization.
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