Is my Sony Xperia Acro smartphone a dud?

[nerrrd]

Hey all you sophisticated techy-types, hope you can help with an explanation for what's happening with my phone. It's a Sony Xperia Acro, I've had it for about six months and have been trying to use it as a GPS on my bike.

AFAIK for it to work I have to have GPS, WiFi, Mobile data all turned on and the brightness turned all the way up (for visibility). When I do this, the phone loses charge even though it's plugged in to a USB accesory socket connected to the battery (charging icon is visible), to the point where if you leave it on for long enough it will run the phone battery down altogether.

As an experiment today I plugged it into the sony charger which came with it at my desk, switched everything on, started a google maps navigation (although I wasn't going anywhere) and left it going to see if the phone would charge normally. Turns out it got just as hot as it does on the bike, and although it didn't lose any charge, it only managed to gain about 4% in a couple of hours.

So overall it seems my phone is only barely able to power itself while running all this stuff. Is my phone a dud, or would the same thing happen with any other smart phone?

[skippa1]

Hey all you sophisticated techy-types, hope you can help with an explanation for what's happening with my phone. It's a Sony Xperia Acro, I've had it for about six months and have been trying to use it as a GPS on my bike.

AFAIK for it to work I have to have GPS, WiFi, Mobile data all turned on and the brightness turned all the way up (for visibility). When I do this, the phone loses charge even though it's plugged in to a USB accesory socket connected to the battery (charging icon is visible), to the point where if you leave it on for long enough it will run the phone battery down altogether.

As an experiment today I plugged it into the sony charger which came with it at my desk, switched everything on, started a google maps navigation (although I wasn't going anywhere) and left it going to see if the phone would charge normally. Turns out it got just as hot as it does on the bike, and although it didn't lose any charge, it only managed to gain about 4% in a couple of hours.

So overall it seems my phone is only barely able to power itself while running all this stuff. Is my phone a dud, or would the same thing happen with any other smart phone?
iPhone 5S does the same

[SMOKEU]

You shouldn't need WiFi to use the GPS, or how would the GPS work when no WiFi connection is available? You only need packet data enabled for A-GPS. You don't need 3G, 2G is fine for A-GPS. So basically turn off everything you don't need such as Bluetooth, 3G, WiFi etc.

I'm also going to assume you're running a crappy stock ROM. I found that after flashing a good third party ROM such as Cyanogenmod, you can get significantly better performance AND better battery life. It's like having your cake, and eating it too. Also delete /data/system/batterystats.bin

[Grashopper]

I had this problem today with my Acro. And I wasn't even doing any navigating etc. Generally it is not too bad, but it happened once before. For a few days it lost more than 30 % charge being in standby over night (all connectivity switched off). Then it went back to normal which is losing max 5% over night. I wonder if it has something to do with the heat. Or maybe something kept on running in the background that shouldn't have.

[EJK]

Hey all you sophisticated techy-types, hope you can help with an explanation for what's happening with my phone. It's a Sony Xperia Acro, I've had it for about six months and have been trying to use it as a GPS on my bike.

AFAIK for it to work I have to have GPS, WiFi, Mobile data all turned on and the brightness turned all the way up (for visibility). When I do this, the phone loses charge even though it's plugged in to a USB accesory socket connected to the battery (charging icon is visible), to the point where if you leave it on for long enough it will run the phone battery down altogether.

As an experiment today I plugged it into the sony charger which came with it at my desk, switched everything on, started a google maps navigation (although I wasn't going anywhere) and left it going to see if the phone would charge normally. Turns out it got just as hot as it does on the bike, and although it didn't lose any charge, it only managed to gain about 4% in a couple of hours.

So overall it seems my phone is only barely able to power itself while running all this stuff. Is my phone a dud, or would the same thing happen with any other smart phone?

Turning up the display to full on ANY smartphone consumes battery power like Hummer H2 drink fuel.

USB power supply (car/ bike) is generally much weaker than a normal wall plug.

So yes, what you have is normal. Especially with GPS + 3G data + Google Maps + nav + display all fully on, I think you'd be luckly if your battery lasts an hour.


I had this problem today with my Acro. And I wasn't even doing any navigating etc. Generally it is not too bad, but it happened once before. For a few days it lost more than 30 % charge being in standby over night (all connectivity switched off). Then it went back to normal which is losing max 5% over night. I wonder if it has something to do with the heat. Or maybe something kept on running in the background that shouldn't have.

Spot on. On many Android phones, useless background apps (thanks Google!) are silent killers.

[AllanB]

Is this not a English speaking site?

[nerrrd]

iPhone 5S does the same

Used to have an iphone and still mostly mac-based, so good to know shelling out the extra cash for another one wouldn't have helped.


You shouldn't need WiFi to use the GPS, or how would the GPS work when no WiFi connection is available? You only need packet data enabled for A-GPS. You don't need 3G, 2G is fine for A-GPS. So basically turn off everything you don't need such as Bluetooth, 3G, WiFi etc.

I'm also going to assume you're running a crappy stock ROM. I found that after flashing a good third party ROM such as Cyanogenmod, you can get significantly better performance AND better battery life. It's like having your cake, and eating it too. Also delete /data/system/batterystats.bin

All good to know (altho without WiFi my GPS is a fair way off, 100m or so). And as for all the ROM stuff, yeah, nah, can't be bothered messing with that but thanks.


Turning up the display to full on ANY smartphone consumes battery power like Hummer H2 drink fuel.

USB power supply (car/ bike) is generally much weaker than a normal wall plug.

So yes, what you have is normal. Especially with GPS + 3G data + Google Maps + nav + display all fully on, I think you'd be luckly if your battery lasts an hour.

Spot on. On many Android phones, useless background apps (thanks Google!) are silent killers.

Found the battery usage bit in settings, yup, screen is using most followed by 'google services' and 'google search'.

So CRAP, not going to be able to use it like I wanted to (except in short bursts), wish I'd known that beforehand. Might be time for an el cheapo in car GPS in a plastic bag - but I guess that probably would have the same problem :(.

[SMOKEU]

All good to know (altho without WiFi my GPS is a fair way off, 100m or so).

So what do you use a GPS for if you're always within range of a WiFi AP?

[EJK]

Found the battery usage bit in settings, yup, screen is using most followed by 'google services' and 'google search'.

So CRAP, not going to be able to use it like I wanted to (except in short bursts), wish I'd known that beforehand. Might be time for an el cheapo in car GPS in a plastic bag - but I guess that probably would have the same problem :(.

I bought a spare battery on Trademe for $30-ish dollar and simply flip change battery when I need a full charge instantly. Then when I'm home I recharge the two for my next venture.

Other option to power up on the go is to have a mobile power bank, something like this:
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=BAPAPA1120&name=Apacer-B120-Mobile-Power-Bank-6600mAh

[Gremlin]

Turning off 3G will only work if you're on Vodafone or 2Degrees, as Telecom doesn't have 2G.

I'm not sure if your phone does, but the Galaxy S etc have a battery option in the menu and you can see how much each item is chipping away at the battery. The screen is by far the biggest consumer, even without max brightness it can consume more than 50% of the draw.

As for charging, you may notice that plugging it into the wall charges it faster than plugging it into a computer. iPhones and iPads in particular, for full charging need select chargers to deliver enough amps. Less amps, and it will charge it slower (or not at all).

[nerrrd]

So what do you use a GPS for if you're always within range of a WiFi AP?

Dunno? Actually I don't really know how it all works, that's just an observation - if the phone tells me to turn on GPS/WiFi/etc then I just do it. That's about as complicated as I can handle (in my defence, digital watches were new tech when I was at school...)


I bought a spare battery on Trademe for $30-ish dollar and simply flip change battery when I need a full charge instantly. Then when I'm home I recharge the two for my next venture.

Other option to power up on the go is to have a mobile power bank, something like this:
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=BAPAPA1120&name=Apacer-B120-Mobile-Power-Bank-6600mAh

Yeah battery on the phone is non-user serviceable; power bank looks good, I've got a similar but much lower capacity one from my iPhone days - it'll still give the Sony a a decent boost in the tent overnight.

What I was hoping for from the phone though was a 'one device does it all' solution for touring - use GPS to navigate, jump off the bike, take a few pics, check out accommodation/Kiwibiker/Bookface?? online, back on the bike, navigate some more etc and not have to worry about running out of charge cos' the phone's plugged in on the bike. Turns out not to be that simple, and me like simple.


Turning off 3G will only work if you're on Vodafone or 2Degrees, as Telecom doesn't have 2G.

I'm not sure if your phone does, but the Galaxy S etc have a battery option in the menu and you can see how much each item is chipping away at the battery. The screen is by far the biggest consumer, even without max brightness it can consume more than 50% of the draw.

As for charging, you may notice that plugging it into the wall charges it faster than plugging it into a computer. iPhones and iPads in particular, for full charging need select chargers to deliver enough amps. Less amps, and it will charge it slower (or not at all).

Never thought it would actually LOSE charge when plugged in though (even on the bike), my expectations were unreasonable it would seem. The screen is a deal breaker, I just can't see it on the go unless the brightness is all the way up. Perhaps I should start touring at night...:blink:

[SMOKEU]

Dunno? Actually I don't really know how it all works, that's just an observation - if the phone tells me to turn on GPS/WiFi/etc then I just do it. That's about as complicated as I can handle (in my defence, digital watches were new tech when I was at school...)


In order to actually use WiFi, you have to been within range of a 802.11x AP AND be connected to that network. Basically, when you're out and about moving, WiFi is pretty much useless as you're not constantly connected to a WiFi network, or automagically connecting to every network you come across. You can still leave WiFi on, and it will probably chew up a bit of battery, but it won't be doing anything helpful to the GPS signal.

[Berries]

Never thought it would actually LOSE charge when plugged in though (even on the bike), my expectations were unreasonable it would seem. The screen is a deal breaker, I just can't see it on the go unless the brightness is all the way up. Perhaps I should start touring at night...:blink:
Don't get me wrong, but I would have thought that if you want to take decent pictures you get a camera, not like all these dicks you see waving their iPads around, and if you want GPS you get a cheap dedicated GPS?


Smartphones suck arse as far as I can tell.

[Gremlin]

To be fair, I'm currently running a Galaxy S4. Takes pretty good pictures, but the shutter lag means don't bother with fast moving stuff. For snapping off a few pictures tho, not bad. Load events and appointments into the calendar and if done right, you can launch navigation direct from the appointment, and linked into your helmet or car, it makes it easy. Also takes semi decent video as well.

However, given I need most of the battery life every day already, I'm not exactly keen to do even more with it, but the battery life is definitely better than an S3.

If you want to push the boundaries, really great shots or complex navigation, then certainly buy a device intended for that use.

[nerrrd]

In order to actually use WiFi, you have to been within range of a 802.11x AP AND be connected to that network. Basically, when you're out and about moving, WiFi is pretty much useless as you're not constantly connected to a WiFi network, or automagically connecting to every network you come across. You can still leave WiFi on, and it will probably chew up a bit of battery, but it won't be doing anything helpful to the GPS signal.

OK makes sense.


Smartphones suck arse as far as I can tell.

You might be right. The phone-y internet-y bit works OK, the radio could be better (but at least it's got one eh Steve?), music OK once it's on there but what's the deal with androids not having a volume control on their inline remotes, did Apple patent that or something??? Bloody annoying!


If you want to push the boundaries, really great shots or complex navigation, then certainly buy a device intended for that use.

If by pushing the boundaries you mean use GPS navigation for more than an hour or so at a time, anyone got any idea how long a cheap dedicated in-car GPS would be able to run off a USB accessory socket with the screen bright enough to see?

[Gremlin]

If by pushing the boundaries you mean use GPS navigation for more than an hour or so at a time, anyone got any idea how long a cheap dedicated in-car GPS would be able to run off a USB accessory socket with the screen bright enough to see?
GPS will run continuously when fed power, that's what it's meant to do. Generally, the car type GPS have very short battery life as they aren't meant to be used on battery. Hiking/Tramping type GPS will have longer battery life, or use AA type batteries so you can swap them out. Most GPS also don't use LCD screens, whole different technology I forget the name of...

Most car GPS are not waterproof either, or rugged for bouncing around on a motorbike.

[benhall]

ive got an acro S with latest firmware on it and it works fine navigating even off charge. i did initially have an issue with it going flat really quick but this was solved with updating it.

The issue your seeing here is car chargers are 500mA where as the Sony charger is 1000mA nothing you can really do here aftermarket use "usb mode" charging because it doesnt know how good the charger is.

Still shouldnt run the phone flat tho

[nerrrd]

ive got an acro S with latest firmware on it and it works fine navigating even off charge. i did initially have an issue with it going flat really quick but this was solved with updating it.

The issue your seeing here is car chargers are 500mA where as the Sony charger is 1000mA nothing you can really do here aftermarket use "usb mode" charging because it doesnt know how good the charger is.

Still shouldnt run the phone flat tho

Thanks for the suggestion, haven't checked that for a while. Tells me everything is up to date (although the syncing program on my Mac is behaving a little strangely).

[BoristheBiter]

If by pushing the boundaries you mean use GPS navigation for more than an hour or so at a time, anyone got any idea how long a cheap dedicated in-car GPS would be able to run off a USB accessory socket with the screen bright enough to see?

I have the Garmin waterproof nuvi 550 for both car and bike.

when it was new it would last about 8 hrs on battery, now after 4 years it lasts about 3 hrs.

If i was doing it again I would get something like the Magellan.
http://www.magellangps.co.nz/

[Akzle]

use something that isnt jewgle. That shits a data whore.
I assume it doesnt have a proper integrated gps? That should be all you need to get a +/- <10m fix.
If its relying on data, (Asisted-gps) then yes will suck the milliamperes.
If no real gps youre probably pushing shit up hill.

Turning off 3g will only present savings outside 3g coverage and while youre in zone 3g will use less power than 2g.

If you have full current mini usb you have 5v at ~2.3A.
Id expect your gayphone can handle 12v usb, check what your wall charger is rated at.

[nerrrd]

Found something called 'navfree', gonna try that.

[SMOKEU]

use something that isnt jewgle. That shits a data whore.
I assume it doesnt have a proper integrated gps? That should be all you need to get a +/- <10m fix.
If its relying on data, (Asisted-gps) then yes will suck the milliamperes.
If no real gps youre probably pushing shit up hill.

Turning off 3g will only present savings outside 3g coverage and while youre in zone 3g will use less power than 2g.

If you have full current mini usb you have 5v at ~2.3A.
Id expect your gayphone can handle 12v usb, check what your wall charger is rated at.

I've found that switching to 2G gives significant reduction in power consumption compared to leaving it in 3G, no matter where I am or how good the 3G coverage is, if it's even available.


Found something called 'navfree', gonna try that.

Navfree is good.

[nerrrd]

So I've:


Done a complete 'repair' on the phone, which involved downloading / reinstalling / resetting lots of stuff.

Rejigged my Aquabox, replacing the non-reflective touch screen cover with a clearer but much more reflective one, and made an even bigger sunshade for it.

Been running the phone at 50% brightness which is only just visible - although, after experimenting on the way home today realised that if I had a helmet with a sunshade that would actually help quite a bit.

Finagled a button which works through the case so I can turn the screen off and on while inside.

Been using Navfree. I would say it's OK - seems to involve less stuff going on in the background, but nowhere near as readable as Google Maps (to my eyes anyway) and can't always find street numbers.

Installed something called 'super task killer' for an easier way of turning off all the programs running in the background.

Level of improvement so far: instead of the phone running itself down about 4% using GPS on my commute in to work, today it only ran down 1%. I guess that's a 75% improvement (and I'm really guessing because my maths is shite) but somehow still disappointing.

[oneblackflag]

Had similar issues when I installed a tablet in my car (replacing crappy Jap only GPS). Check your USB cable is good quality, cheaper ones use thiner gauge wire which lowers amps. In this situation even if the charging port is rated at 1 amp or whatever the phone can't recive at that rate because of the cable. Also make sure the cable is as short as possible to prevent losses over distance (OMS law I think?).

[Akzle]

I've found that switching to 2G gives significant reduction in power consumption compared to leaving it in 3G, no matter where I am or how good the 3G coverage is, if it's even available.



Navfree is good.

jewgle. Youll get kicked off the 3g every now and then. And phone will keep searching for better signal. Searching eats battery.

[Akzle]

Had similar issues when I installed a tablet in my car (replacing crappy Jap only GPS). Check your USB cable is good quality, cheaper ones use thiner gauge wire which lowers amps. In this situation even if the charging port is rated at 1 amp or whatever the phone can't recive at that rate because of the cable. Also make sure the cable is as short as possible to prevent losses over distance (OMS law I think?).

yes and no. If the cable is hot after use, this could be issue. Unlikely.
Cable will be fuckall OHMS, the connectors will be the worst in this scenario. But irrelevant. its 5/8ths of fuckall watts.
An' watts is what ya need.

[nerrrd]

Had similar issues when I installed a tablet in my car (replacing crappy Jap only GPS). Check your USB cable is good quality, cheaper ones use thiner gauge wire which lowers amps. In this situation even if the charging port is rated at 1 amp or whatever the phone can't recive at that rate because of the cable. Also make sure the cable is as short as possible to prevent losses over distance (OMS law I think?).

It's the cable that came with the phone, I'm using that mainly because it's got a right-angle end on it so it's the only one that fits. It's something like 60cm long. One thing it does have which others I've used don't is a 2cm long / 1 cm diameter plastic cylinder thing which the cable goes through around 5cm down from the micro USB plug, not sure what that's for.


yes and no. If the cable is hot after use, this could be issue. Unlikely.
Cable will be fuckall OHMS, the connectors will be the worst in this scenario. But irrelevant. its 5/8ths of fuckall watts.
An' watts is what ya need.

Haven't noticed the cable getting particularly hot - at least it hasn't been when I've touched it.

[Akzle]

plastic cylinder thing which the cable goes through around 5cm down from the micro USB plug, not sure what that's for.


thats called a ferrite supression core.
It smooths the electron flow. More useful for stable data streams than dc power. Will, however provide some clipping which is fucking irrelevant on a mosfet charging circuit.

Srsly. Find out what your wall charger cranks out, hope its 12v, then get an apropriate for teh bike.

[Scouse]

Hey all you sophisticated techy-types, hope you can help with an explanation for what's happening with my phone. It's a Sony Xperia Acro, I've had it for about six months and have been trying to use it as a GPS on my bike.

AFAIK for it to work I have to have GPS, WiFi, Mobile data all turned on and the brightness turned all the way up (for visibility). When I do this, the phone loses charge even though it's plugged in to a USB accesory socket connected to the battery (charging icon is visible), to the point where if you leave it on for long enough it will run the phone battery down altogether.

As an experiment today I plugged it into the sony charger which came with it at my desk, switched everything on, started a google maps navigation (although I wasn't going anywhere) and left it going to see if the phone would charge normally. Turns out it got just as hot as it does on the bike, and although it didn't lose any charge, it only managed to gain about 4% in a couple of hours.

So overall it seems my phone is only barely able to power itself while running all this stuff. Is my phone a dud, or would the same thing happen with any other smart phone?Luddite much

[nerrrd]

Luddite much

Much, very, very much.

[tobbera]

Short story:
It requires a special charger. The off the shelf eBay wont cut it. I have solved it. Ran my Samsung Note 2 (big beast!) with constant GPS navigation on, during a 5000 km / 14 day trip on the south island. Always ended up 100% battery when stopping for the day.

Long story:
What you are experiencing is that the phone is not taking enough current from the charger. I have solved this by making a proper 12v charger for smartphones that charges your phone to 100% even if you have all functions on full blast. It charges with the same speed as your OEM wall charger. And I'm also in the process of making a bunch of these chargers for people who wants to use their phone as a GPS on their bike or car.

Tell me if you're interested in one of these. I can also help you install it if you're in the Auckland area. I have bought material to make 10 chargers.

[Akzle]

well i dont know about trusting that nigger. Pretty sure you can buy em for 30 buck.

[nerrrd]

Short story:
It requires a special charger. The off the shelf eBay wont cut it. I have solved it. Ran my Samsung Note 2 (big beast!) with constant GPS navigation on, during a 5000 km / 14 day trip on the south island. Always ended up 100% battery when stopping for the day.

Long story:
What you are experiencing is that the phone is not taking enough current from the charger. I have solved this by making a proper 12v charger for smartphones that charges your phone to 100% even if you have all functions on full blast. It charges with the same speed as your OEM wall charger. And I'm also in the process of making a bunch of these chargers for people who wants to use their phone as a GPS on their bike or car.

Tell me if you're interested in one of these. I can also help you install it if you're in the Auckland area. I have bought material to make 10 chargers.

Hell yeah I'm interested - let me know the details :yes: cheers.

[nerrrd]

Solution finally found!

So tobbera unfortunately never got back to me, so I've occasionally been looking for a solution elsewhere via google.

Glad to say I've found it - a "charge only" USB cable which I got from eBay. Now the phone charges when plugged into the accessory port even when running the GPS. It's also quite a short cable, only 30cm long, which probably helps. Nice and cheap, $5.99US from seller "yourcharger".

Interestingly they list different micro USB cables for different phones (did wonder what difference there could possibly be between them? but got the sony xperia one anyway.)

Don't quote me but apparently if you use a data+charge cable the phone goes into a low charging mode when connected to 12 volt source. Or something.

So now I'm golden (except for the occasional Google Maps crash, hopefully that will sort itself out with updates in time) :banana: .