The 5G network brings faster speeds and lower latency, but it can also put a significant strain on your phone’s battery. To address this, many smartphones, including those from Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO, offer a 5G Battery Saver feature. This feature helps extend battery life by limiting the device’s 5G connectivity or managing power-hungry processes. In this article, we’ll explain how you can enable or disable this feature on your device, along with other considerations for improving battery performance.
Method 1: Enabling or Disabling 5G Battery Saver via Settings
Step-by-Step Guide for Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO Devices:
- Open the Settings app on your Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO device.
- Scroll down and tap on SIM cards & mobile networks.
- Select the SIM card you want to adjust (if you have more than one).
- In the next menu, you will find an option called Preferred network type or Network mode.
- Tap on it, and you’ll see options like 5G/4G/3G/2G or 5G/4G auto. To enable or disable 5G Battery Saver:
- Enable 5G Battery Saver: Choose 4G or 5G Auto (depending on the device, 5G may be automatically disabled under low battery conditions).
- Disable 5G Battery Saver: Keep 5G selected as the preferred network, allowing full 5G speeds without power-saving restrictions.
- Exit the settings to apply changes.
Enabling 5G Battery Saver can help conserve energy by switching to a lower network mode (such as 4G), especially in areas with poor 5G coverage. Conversely, disabling it ensures your phone uses the fastest possible connection.
Method 2: Using the Battery Settings to Control 5G Power Usage
Some Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO phones feature Battery Saver modes, which can also control 5G-related battery consumption. You can manage this feature from the Battery settings.
Steps to Activate Battery Saver Mode:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap on Battery & Performance or Battery.
- Look for the option named Battery saver or Power saving mode.
- Turn on Battery saver or Ultra power saving mode.
- Battery saver will automatically limit background apps, reduce performance, and optimize power consumption by managing the network type (like reducing 5G usage).
- Ultra power saving mode can restrict both 5G and other high-power functions like screen brightness, GPS, and background apps, forcing the phone to conserve as much battery as possible.
- For a more customized approach, some phones offer an option to disable 5G entirely in this mode, preserving battery life further.
By switching to Battery Saver mode, your device will likely reduce 5G usage, especially if it’s not on a strong 5G network, preventing unnecessary battery drain.
How Different Manufacturers Handle Battery Saving and 5G
Battery optimization features vary across different brands, even if they share similar software foundations (like Android). Here’s a breakdown of how some popular manufacturers handle this:
Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO:
Xiaomi’s MIUI, which powers Redmi and POCO devices, integrates 5G Battery Saver options directly within its network and power management settings. These devices allow users to toggle between 5G and 4G network modes to optimize battery life, while MIUI’s Battery Saver mode can automatically adjust to save power based on usage and location.
Samsung:
Samsung provides its Power Saving Mode and Maximum Power Saving Mode on One UI, which limits the phone’s performance and network connectivity. Samsung doesn’t offer a direct “5G Battery Saver” but restricts 5G by enabling lower network modes during periods of low battery. Some Galaxy models let you force the network mode to 4G to save power.
OnePlus:
OnePlus also incorporates a similar approach, where its Battery Saver mode and Zen Mode can limit background processes and restrict 5G usage. OnePlus allows users to disable 5G manually through network settings, though the phone will typically switch to 4G when battery is low.
Realme:
Realme has a Super Power Saving Mode, which focuses on limiting network usage and background apps. The Realme UI gives users the option to switch between network modes (4G/5G) directly, and its optimization tools can conserve battery during extended use of 5G.
Oppo:
Oppo devices use Battery Optimizer and Super Power Saving Mode, both of which focus on managing background tasks and limiting power-hungry features like 5G. Oppo devices may automatically switch to 4G in low-power situations, but users can also manually toggle 5G settings.
Vivo:
Vivo phones offer Ultra Power Saving Mode, which significantly reduces the phone’s functionality and disables high-power features like 5G. Like others, Vivo’s Funtouch OS allows users to select between 4G and 5G modes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What happens when I enable 5G Battery Saver?
- When 5G Battery Saver is enabled, your device may limit 5G connectivity to save power, especially when the signal strength is weak or the battery is low. It may automatically switch to 4G or 3G when it detects that using 5G would drain battery quickly.
Q2: Can I manually switch between 5G and 4G?
- Yes, most Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO devices allow you to manually choose between 5G and 4G through the SIM card & mobile network settings. This can help conserve battery by avoiding unnecessary 5G usage.
Q3: Does enabling Battery Saver mode turn off 5G?
- Yes, in some devices, enabling Battery Saver mode can restrict 5G connectivity to reduce battery drain. It depends on the manufacturer and device settings.
Q4: How much does 5G really affect battery life?
- 5G generally consumes more power than 4G, particularly when using high-speed data services or in areas with poor 5G coverage. Disabling 5G or using it only when necessary can improve battery life significantly.
Q5: What are the downsides of using 5G Battery Saver?
- The main downside is reduced download speeds and network responsiveness. If you’re in an area with excellent 5G coverage, turning off the feature might make your phone noticeably slower when downloading large files or streaming high-definition content.
In conclusion, both enabling and disabling 5G Battery Saver can help you strike a balance between speed and battery life on your Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO device. While it’s great for saving battery, be aware that switching off 5G entirely may result in slower download speeds and less-responsive performance. Explore your device’s settings and make adjustments based on your needs!