10 Ways to Increase iPhone 3G’s Battery Life

6. Turn off location services
The iPhone has a GPS, true, but is assisted by triangulating cell towers.  Unless you use Google maps frequently, then you could benefit by turning this off.

7. Turn off 3G
Unless you’re browsing the Internet a lot, you may not need the speed of 3G.  The 3G radio consumes a lot more power than running on the EDGE network.  Toggle this setting by going into “Settings –> General –>  Network“.  You’ll see a setting for “Enable 3G“.  Turn it off and see if you really notice.

8. Turn off “Ask to Join Networks”
Have you been driving down the road, and suddenly you get a popup to join about 5 different wireless networks?  It can be very annoying when you’re in the middle of an application.  In order for the iPhone to detect these wireless networks, then it must have the wireless radio on.  Yes, it’s in a low-power detection mode, but it is on nonetheless.

If you’re going to be somewhere with wifi for an extended period of time, then use that over 3G or Edge.  Either toggle “ask to join networks” back on, or manually join a hotspot.  Once you successfully connect to a hotspot once, then your iPhone will automatically connect back to it.  Believe it or not, the wifi radio in your iPhone uses up less electricity than 3G… especially if you are far away from a cell tower.

9. Turn your phone off when you don’t need it
Ok, now this really defeats the purpose of an “always connected” device, but hard times call for desperate measures.  I’m not saying that you should turn the device off whenever you go to the movies or a business meeting, but if there’s an extended period of time you know you’re not going to use it, then why not turn it off?  If you’re going to sleep, why not turn it off?  There are some places that you would be nervous about taking your phone, like mountainclimbing, kayaking, or an extended toilet break.  Why not turn the phone off rather than letting it waste away in your hotel room?

10. Have an emergency battery pack with you
This is something that just can’t be avoided if you love your iPhone.  You can purchase mini battery modules that click to the bottom of your iPhone, which immediately start charging your phone, and give you a few additional hours of life.  This isn’t a true solution to being able to swapping out the battery for a higher-capacity model, but it is what it is.  Keep in mind that even Apple recognizes that constant recharging of your battery will eventually reduce its overall capacity (Apple says that 400 full charge cycles will reduce battery capacity by 20%).

There are a few choices.  Some battery packs are integrated into an iPhone case.  Choose carefully if you go this route, as some of these cases do not provide as much protection against impacts or water.  Some people prefer the little emergency battery packs, which click onto the bottom of the phone.  They are small enough that they don’t interfere with phone operation, but still make you look like a dork.

If all else fails, make sure you have a spare iPod (or iPhone) USB cable and power adapter in your car… and be sure to kick Steve Jobs in the nuts when you see him.