Got a drainage problem?
If so, the smartphone experts from XpressFix are here to help. We’re going to tell you how to prevent Android and iPhone battery drainage, simply and effectively.
Here, our aim isn’t to turn your phone into a skeleton with zero functionality. Our mission is to find a perfect balance between extended battery life and user friendliness. As long as this generation of smartphones exists (iPhone 5, Galaxy S4, HTC One, etc.), these life-saving principles will hold true.
Now, prepare to reap the benefits of extended battery life while continuing to enjoy the phone you love. By using these guidelines, you can hold off on that Galaxy or iPhone 5 battery replacement just a little longer.
1. Adjust Screen Brightness – Smartphone screens can get bright … really bright. It’s nice to be seduced by the mobile graphic evolution with a bright, colorful screen.
But it’s not worth it.
Find a happy medium. The lower the brightness the better. This is numero uno on the list because it’s the biggest battery killer. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy S3 screen brightness accounts for 37% of battery usage while the Android OS only accounts for 15%. Pretty astounding.
2. Decrease Sleeper Countdown – This is what dims your screen and, eventually, blackens it. The sleeper gives you the ability to decrease the time your screen shines on when you’re done using it.
3. Say No to Unimportant App Notifications – Every time you download a new app a new pop-up notification comes with it. App notifications are the #1 user of your phone’s vibration and sound features.
Snapchats, tweets, likes … all these make your phone buzz and jingle.
But these are pretty important, right? They all revolve around friends.
Here are two we recommend getting rid of: LinkedIn (business can wait) and Foursquare (it doesn’t matter where everyone is).
4. Sync Less Frequently – Syncing is important, especially for emails. But you don’t have to sync every minute. It’s a huge waste of battery life. Lengthen this to 10 to 15 minutes – even half an hour – if you don’t depend heavily on your mobile phone for interaction apart from calls, texts and the occasional tweet.
The only people this doesn’t apply to are people who have a minute-by-minute relationship with their email account.
5. Keep it Cool … Keep it Away From Ghost Rider
But his character in Ghost Rider creates terrible conditions for your smartphone. He produces way too much heat, and heat is bad when it comes to prolonging battery life. Which brings us to some points …
- Take it out of your pocket while sitting for long periods of time.
- Never overcharge it (this will kill your battery’s ability to hold power).
XpressFix, a technoligicly savvy company that specializes in smartphone repairs and iPhone battery replacement, takes no responsibility for the Nick Cage link above.
Comparison of the Galaxy S3 and iPhone 5
Here, you’ll get an idea of which smartphone is best for you. Whether you’re finally making the decision to get rid of your flip-phone or just feel like switching it up, you’ll get a breakdown of the pros and cons of the two most popular smartphones on the market.
Although the Samsung Galaxy S4 was recently released, we’re going to focus on the Samsung Galaxy S3. There’s more information available on it, plus, overall, it’s quite similar to its younger sibling. If you like what you read about the S3, the S4 is definitely another option to consider when upgrading your smartphone (or, for old dog flip-phone users, upgrading to a smartphone.)
Functionality and Ease of Use
If you’re looking to buy your first smartphone, this is the most important point to consider. Switching over from a regular cell phone with two main options – calling and texting – to a cell phone with infinite options can be daunting. But, with the right device, it doesn’t have to be.
This immediately brings us to the clear winner for ease of use: the iPhone 5.
The iPhone 5 is appealing to new and long-time smartphone users alike because of its simplicity. It’s not as customizable as the Galaxy S3 – not by far – but it does perform the same functions. It uses GPS for real-time navigation, blue-tooth, wi-fi and 4G for connectivity, and downloadable apps for additional capabilities. You know, all the things smartphones are praised for.
A Very Simple Breakdown
To see both the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S3 up close, check out the video below. Tech Buffalo performs a detailed comparison of each and, despite some technical jargon, points out advantages and disadvantages.
If you don’t feel like watching the full video, here’s what it boils down to, point by point. In each of the six categories there was a chosen winner and loser and, quite frankly, these wins and losses are dead-on accurate.
Below, the winner will appear next to the category.
- Design and Build Quality: iPhone 5
- Storage and Expandability: Galaxy S3
- Internals and Performance: iPhone 5
- OS / Software: Galaxy S3
- Display: iPhone 5
- Battery Life: Galaxy S3
As you can see, the comparison came to a draw. Rest assured that this wasn’t because the reviewer was trying to be fair. It’s because each device is a great product with its own unique set of features.
To use this win/loss list to your benefit, though, pick out 3 of the 6 categories that are most important to you. Doing this, you’ll arrive at the best choice for you.
A Few Quick Points
To add to the comparison chart above, here are some points to consider when choosing between the iPhone 5 and the Galaxy S3.
- If you’re a mobile movie watcher, go with the S3: it has a significantly larger display and the display is only a few pixels lesser in quality than the iPhone 5
- If you’re a minimalist, choose either: each can achieve a simple, minimalistic design – it just comes down to customization. The iPhone 5 is a “stock minimalist” whereas the S3 is “bipolar.” With the S3, you can make your main screens complex or incredibly simple.
- If you drop your phone a lot, go with the iPhone 5 (just watch the video below!).
Also, if you’re impaired or just like giving voice commands to your phone, it’s good to know that each device has their own voice command system. The iPhone 5 has an upgraded version of Siri and the S3 has something similar called S Voice.
Finally, The Drop Test!
Thanks to the enthusiasts at Android Authority, it’s apparent that the iPhone 5 has the strongest stock casing. In the video below, it withstands a drop from waist-height, chest-height, ear-height and overhead and still does not suffer a cracked screen. The S3 holds up at waist-height good enough, but, after the second drop at chest-height, fractures quite severely.
If you hold a deep hatred for phone cases, there’s no question that the iPhone 5 is the better choice. But, if you really want the S3, just throw a tough case on it.
In the event your screen does crack, know that your friends at XpressFix are only a call or click away. Feel free to contact us online or call us at 1-888-893-5218.
We provide iPhone 5 repair and Galaxy S3 repair at competitive rates.
2013: A Promising Year for All Smartphone Users
April 2013 marks the beginning of a new chapter in smartphone evolution. Expected for release are some real promising products that will undoubtedly be well received.
Undoubtedly, you ask?
Yes, without a doubt. Because what’s to come isn’t wholly new; it’s just an upgrade of what already is … smartphones that people love, but seek small improvements for.
With one exception: the HTC One – a new Android-housing shell by HTC due for U.S. release on April 19, 2013.
However, smartphones like the Blackberry Q10, Samsung Galaxy S4, Google Nexus 5, and iPhone 5S are simply handsomer versions of their handsome siblings. And there’s a good chance they’ll arrive soon than later.
Most likely, every one of them except the Nexus 5 will hit the shelves no later than May 2013.
To avoid confusion and mix-up, let’s break these down one by one.
HTC One
As previously stated, the One will be available April 19. Perhaps by the time you read this, you’ll already have one. You’ll be appreciating the 64 GB internal storage, powerful Beats speakers, and Qualcomm quad core processor. (Yeah, it’s as fast as it sounds.)
In addition to these features is something new called BlinkFeed.
BlinkFeed is a revolutionary new smartphone app designed solely for the HTC One. It combines all the social networks you want into a stylish, easy-to-use display.
Now, instead of having to open your different social media profiles, you’ll have access to all of them – and be able to view content – on one screen. Statuses, tweets, pins and other feeds will be housed in different-sized squares and rectangles on a single screen. With a simple tap on a square, you’ll be able to view the entirety of the shared news story, gossip piece or personal problem.
Online apps and other software have furnished this idea for computers, but an effective model for smartphones has yet to be discovered.
It seems BlinkFeed has the potential to reinvent how we use social media on mobile devices, so keep your eyes peeled for software that mimics it.
Samsung Galaxy S4
Everything you love about the Samsung Galaxy S3 is here, and more. With regards to design and display, the biggest upgrade here is the combination of screen and chassis. Compared to the S3, the screen is bigger and chassis smaller: a combination that Tech Radar calls a “superbly impressive feat of engineering.”
What makes this feat even more impressive is the clarity of the screen. The 5-inch full HD screen is as clear as the S3.
You were expecting it to be clearer? Well, right now that’s nearly impossible. If you’ve experienced the unblemished, uncompromised clarity of the S3, you may have found yourself wondering if a picture on any screen – TV, movie theater, smartphone – could get any better.
Complimenting the awe-inspiring new design and screen size is …
• Android’s Jelly Bean 4.2.2 OS upgrade that expands features
• Smart Stay – technology that tracks your eyes to know when to pause a movie or slow scroll pace while reading. (Seems a little too fancy for practicality, but we’ll see.)
• New Swiftkey keyboard, arguably Android’s best
• High-res 13 MP camera
If all this sounds appealing to you, you don’t have to wait much longer. The Galaxy S4 is expected to release shortly after the HTC One … probably early May at the latest.
Blackberry Q10
Why Q10 instead of the anticipated X10? Well, because the team at Blackberry all of a sudden noticed something obvious. The new Blackberry they had developed worked almost exactly like the Z10. The only real difference was the keyboard.
The QWERTY keyboard, that is. Hence the letter Q, not X.
This keyboard is receiving a lot of recognition, and for good reason.
When you think of a keyboard on a phone you think of a Blackberry. But you don’t think of all the work that goes into developing that keyboard. The old Blackberry keyboards feel good, but, as rumor has it, the new QWERTY keyboard is sensational. It will make you want to type even when you have no one to talk to. If you’re a Blackberry lover and have yet to start a journal, the Q10 may be your source of inspiration.
Keyboard aside, the look and feel of the new Blackberry is fluid and handy. It fits in your pocket just as good as ever and has the same modest, yet attractive display as its predecessor, the Z10.
Crackberry, the infamous Blackberry enthusiasts, took a sneak peak during the Q10’s unveiling. You get a real good look at the sleek, stylish design of the Q10 in this video.
Google Nexus 5
Unlike the Apple iPhone 5s/6, there are some specifics about the Google Nexus 5, anticipated by PC Advisor to be released October 2013 – exactly a year after the Nexus 4.
Seeing that Google is the owner of Android, expect the Nexus 5 to be well worth the wait. If we use the 4 to “foreshadow” what’s to come (terrible joke), we can only expect greatness from the 5.
It’s rumored that Google will introduce the new version of Android – 5.0 Key Lime Pie – with the Nexus 5.
It’s also rumored that it will contain the following …
• 5-inch, full HD screen
• Snapdragon quad-core processor (2.3 GHz, 3 GB RAM) – extremely fast.
• and a 16 MP camera!
If the Nexus 5 is released at the right time, it could very well compete with the Samsung Galaxy S4. If the specs are paired with a clean, attractive design that trumps the S4, the 5 will have all it needs for strong competition.
The only problem is, the S4 will have a huge head start.
The only benefit of the later release date of the Nexus 5 is access to later technology … a game-changer when dealing with mobile devices.
iPhone 5S/6
There is a massive amount of speculation going on about the next iPhone release. We don’t even know if it’s going to be an S-model or new model entirely, but speculation is still rampant. While most of it is just plain fodder, there seems to be two schools of thought right now.
1. The iPhone 5S will be released with a cheaper plastic-cased iPhone this summer
2. There will be no iPhone 5S and the 6 will be released in three different sizes
The first school of thought is based on Brian White’s appearance at a Chinese trade show. At this trade show, Brian White, analyst at Topeka Capital Markets, was told that a cheaper version of the iPhone would be unveiled in June 2013 and released in July 2013.
The second school of thought stems from the opinion of designer Peter Zigich, creator of ipack3d.com – a very unimpressive site. However, a site that caught the attention of International Business Time and inspired them to write a piece about it.
Whether it’s the 5S or 6, don’t worry. iPhone will release something. Unfortunately, that’s about the only sure thing at the moment.
XpressFix is a Cell Phone Repair, Tablet Repair and Modern Electronics Repair chain in Central Florida.
Samsung Galaxy S3 Glass Only Replacement – Samsung Glass Repair Video | XpressFix
Here at XpressFix in Orlando we perform the Samsung Galaxy S3 Glass Only replacement / Galaxy SIII Digitizer only repair for all you cell phone repair technicians out there. I needed a place to host the video so I chose our Facebook account.
The inherent problem with the Samsung Galaxy S3 touch screen replacement is that, traditionally, we had to replace the whole assembly before we figured out that we could refuse the digitizer to the LCD without having to purchase the new Samsung Galaxy S3 lcd/ digitizer assembly running over $150. I think back then it was about $200 just for the part. With all the savings on the glass only repair we were able to lower the cost to our customers without reducing the integrity of the Samsung Galaxy SIII and without leaving unsightly scratches on the old lcd display.
In this video you can see that at XpressFix Samsung repair center in Orlando, FL we use business cards (and heat as always) to slide down the frame to separate the digitizer from the LCD. Of course this is not as easy as the iPhone 3G repair of old because the LCD is fused with a much better adhesive resin. With applying too much heat you can start to feel it give. As soon as you can place a couple old business cards in between the glass and digitizer glass, you can continue to apply heat sliding the cards down. We typically use a reflow machine but use the heat gun to show that you can do this glass only Samsung Galaxy S3/ SIII repair with both. We have an adhesive that we sell in our ebay store that is the best product for resealing the new digitizer onto the LCD. This product is the same product the Chinese use to bond the digitizer to the LCD display on the Apple iPhone 5.
If you have any questions or would like to give us credit please link to our blog or our main Samsung Repair Orlando website.
Good luck!
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