Nowadays, smartphones have become an indispensable part of our everyday lives. Models from brands like Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, and Apple, in particular, dominate the market and offer a wide range of functions that make our daily lives easier. However, all these features often come at a price – namely, high battery drain. A quickly draining battery is a problem familiar to many users, especially with devices with high-resolution displays and powerful processing power, such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or the new Galaxy Z Fold 7. Fortunately, there are effective ways to extend battery life without sacrificing convenience. In this article, I present seven settings that have significantly improved battery life on my Samsung phone. These aren’t trivial tips like reducing the screen resolution, but rather strategic settings that make a difference both in everyday life and while traveling.

Increase efficiency with dark mode and adaptive brightness on Samsung smartphones

A key factor in a smartphone’s battery consumption is the display. Devices with AMOLED displays, which many Samsung models use, particularly benefit greatly from the so-called dark mode. This means that dark areas of the screen are not illuminated, which significantly reduces energy consumption. For example, the Galaxy S25 Ultra completely turns off individual pixels when they are black, which results in significant savings compared to LCDs.

Dark Mode is quickly activated and can noticeably extend battery life, even during intensive use. To do so, switch to the “Dark” option in the “Display” menu in the settings. An additional benefit of dark mode is its eye-protecting effect, which is particularly pleasant when used in dark environments.

Closely linked to Dark Mode is adaptive brightness. Samsung has continuously improved the sensors in its smartphones – ambient light is now precisely detected, ensuring that the screen brightness is always optimally adjusted. This saves energy, as the display is never set much brighter than necessary. This function can also be easily activated under “Display.” While some users prefer manual brightness adjustment, automatic control is now so reliable that it improves battery efficiency without compromising comfort.

These two settings have proven particularly effective on my Galaxy phone. Combined, they significantly reduce power consumption without compromising the user experience. Other manufacturers, such as OnePlus and Oppo, which also use AMOLED technology, offer similar advantages.

Identify and optimize applications that consume the most battery

Many users install various social media, office, and entertainment apps – from Facebook to Microsoft 365 to OneDrive. Some of these frequently run in the background and continuously drain battery power, even when they appear to be inactive. On Samsung devices, you can specifically check which apps consume the most battery power and then deactivate or delete them.

In the “Battery and Device Health” menu under “Battery,” you’ll find clear lists that display the energy consumption of individual programs. It’s worth critically examining which applications are used regularly and which ones tend to waste energy unnecessarily. For example, I uninstalled the pre-installed apps on my Galaxy S25 Ultra, such as Samsung Smart TV, Facebook, and Outlook, because I rarely use them. This not only leads to longer battery life but also improves the overall performance of my phone.

Samsung also offers the option of completely stopping apps with high background consumption or restricting them in the background usage settings. For example, if you frequently switch between 5G and Wi-Fi connections, some apps may consume more battery. Adjusting the settings in the system menu helps to limit this energy consumption.

This measure is particularly valuable in combination with other recommendations, such as downloading offline content to minimize mobile data usage and thus conserve battery life. This practice can be easily implemented not only with Samsung, but also with devices from Google and Nokia.

Download offline content before your trip and use the Always-On Display intelligently

Another way to extend battery life is to use offline content intelligently. Especially for regular routes, such as the daily commute, or for favorite playlists, it’s a good idea to save music, podcasts, or maps in advance. Streaming services, including Spotify and YouTube, not only consume data when used on the go, but also place a significant strain on the battery. Navigating with Google Maps or Samsung’s own maps over the cellular network can significantly drain the battery and even cause the device to overheat.

Those who download their favorites for offline use benefit from significantly lower energy consumption and can protect their device. Most apps offer this option directly: Spotify, for example, allows you to download entire playlists, and YouTube offers a video download function. This means entertainment is available anytime, even without an internet connection, and Samsung phones, such as the Galaxy Z Flip 7, show a noticeable increase in battery life.

On the other hand, Samsung offers the option of intelligently using the Always-On Display (AOD). Instead of having it constantly active, you can limit its time and thus optimize power consumption. The AOD displays information such as the time and notifications without activating the entire display. Newer Galaxy models with LTPO displays, which can run at just 1Hz, allow for extremely efficient use. You can set the AOD to activate only at certain times of the day, for example, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Configure power modes and performance profiles for optimal battery use

Samsung offers a variety of power-saving modes that can significantly extend battery life depending on your needs. Ultra Power Saving Mode, in particular, reduces background activity to the essentials, but also limits usage options. For users who don’t need their phone for gaming or demanding applications, the “Light” performance mode is ideal. It prioritizes battery efficiency and cooling over maximum processor performance.

Configuring the performance profile is easy via the device software: Under “Device Maintenance,” you’ll find the “Performance Profile” option, where you can choose between “Standard,” “Light,” and other options. This adjustment adapts to individual usage and thus avoids unnecessary power consumption.

It’s also worth noting that similar principles are also used by other manufacturers, such as devices from Huawei, Realme, or Oppo. These often have their own software features that regulate energy consumption, but Samsung phones are known for their particularly intuitive and effective control options.

In addition to energy-saving modes, it’s recommended to treat the battery properly, especially during the first few charging cycles. Experts recommend charging the battery several times between 100% and 20%, then setting the battery protection percentage to around 80%. This significantly extends the battery life; a feature Samsung provides under “Battery Protection” in the settings.

Low Battery Behavior: How to Extend Runtime in Critical Situations

When the battery level of a Samsung phone becomes critical, quick action is required to keep the device running as long as possible. If the battery level is below 15%, it’s recommended to activate the power-saving mode. This reduces energy consumption by throttling background processes, but doesn’t completely restrict functionality.

You should also disable data roaming, as constantly searching for networks consumes a huge amount of energy, especially abroad. Disabling location services is also advisable if navigation isn’t needed. Another effective measure is disabling the always-on display, which consumes power even when idle.

These emergency measures are essential when you’re on the go and there’s no charging option within reach. Combined with the previously described settings for optimized battery usage, they ensure that your Samsung phone functions reliably in everyday life and while traveling. Relevant information on smartphones and the latest technologies, such as developments with Starlink or the expansion of 5G, can also be found on specialized websites, for example here.

These practical tips guarantee every user the best balance between performance and battery life on their Samsung Galaxy or comparable devices from Sony, Nokia, or Google. Anyone interested in the latest ultra-thin Apple iPhone 17 can find out more on this page . For anyone who wants to be aware of the risks of modern technology, it’s also worth taking a look at the article on smart glasses and their safety aspects at this link.