T-mobile G1 users who are suffering from Battery LIFE

[rayosx]

T-mobile G1 users suffering from a bad Battery

OK Fellows,

I just want to share to some of you my experience, I am testing a new Battery that HTC sent me (Free of Charge), this is the whole guacamole and enchilada thing.

Are you one of those T-mobile G1 users who are suffering from a very bad battery life?,  even when you have tried all those tricks and tips in the how to section to re-calibrate the battery, etc?

OK, It seems that a new battery replacement works much better than our first ones, this is only for those who are suffering from this bad disease ok?  Some of you'll not care since you are doing just OK.

There are two persons whom I learned from that something was wrong with my battery life:
1) Jeno
2) Someone that I didn't know, but he had a T-mobile G1 and I had a conversation with him, he just bought the G1 around 1 month ago, I asked him whether he did not hate the battery life and he answered "NO, the battery life is fine for me and I use it all the time in 3g and to send all day text messages, emails", also he told me this " I have a friend that he has the same problem like you about the battery life, but this is not my case".

So when Jeno told me that he improved more the battery life with a new battery replacement and the other person too, I decided to call T-Mobile G1 technical support and explained them my problem, that some people are doing fine with their battery life or I mean, just OK, because I know that the battery life is not a big feature from this g1 device, but anyway,

T-mobile just give 3 months for G1 Warranty and G1-tech support told me  that I needed to call  HTC customer care within 12 months warranty and tell them you need a new g1 battery replacement.

So here is the solution for some of you with this nightmare about the battery life

1) Call T-Mobile and explain that some friend of you are experiencing much better battery life and you are not,  tell them that you already tried all the tricks and tips, etc, etc,    for instance:

turn off all stuff   like   GPS, Wireless, Bluetooth, 3G, low the brightness to  5%, etc, etc, etc.      the recalibration suggestion to   drain the t-mobile g1 phone and then charge it turned off for around 6 to 8 hours and then repeat this process again, so I mean that you need to do this process "twice".

They may send you a new battery replacement for FREE or they will tell you to call HTC customer Care.

2) If you need to speak with HTC customer Care this is the number  1 888 716 3594
a) You will be required to have handy two things:   IMEI #   and S/N  ( Serial Number )    that is where your T-Mobile G1 battery is, so  open your phone, pull out the battery and those numbers will be there.

b) Tell them everything above step 1)
that you already spoke with T-MO Technical support and they told you to contact  HTC customer care for a new Battery life replacement.

You have two options with HTC
1) Send them your old battery and wait till  HTC receives it and then HTC will send you a new battery replacement  or
2) Give a credit card to HTC customer care, this is  just in case that you don't send the old battery, HTC will send a new battery replacement right away, with a pre-paid label so you can send the old one back,  this is free,  you won't get  charged unless you don't send the old battery back within the 30 days, HTC only gives you 30 days to receive the old battery, so don't wait for so long or you will get charged. 

Voila, I believe that you will do much better with this new battery change,  ohhhh there's something that I'm forgetting.

When you insert you new battery replacement that you received either from TMO or HTC, please follow these steps as: A, B, C.

Follow these steps very carefully before you will screw up your batt.

1) Replace the old battery with the new one.
2) Turn ON YOUR G1 phone and use it normal until it drains completely, when I mean drains completely, it means, that you can not turn on the phone anymore, ZERO, NADA !!!!!! 

You should not see any  screen turning on or vibrating in your phone when you press the ON button, ok ?

3) Charge it for around 6 hours with the phone "TURNED OFF",   then use your phone and leave it again to drain completely and repeat the process.

You should do the same process just twice and it will work much better
'your battery life" from now and so on, I have noticed a lot of improvement today.

If you have experiences to share about this?  please write them here   I will love to read / learn from you

Good Luck with your new battery replacement.
 

[Cloverdale]

Should this work if I did not purchase my phone from a dealer (swapped out with someone else)?

[rayosx]

Cloverdale,
I am positive if you are still under the 12 months warranty from HTC, this phone does not have more than 12 months yet, so I believe that you are fine, just you need to give the IMEI and the S/N, and they will ask aprox when did you get it, what month, so they can take notes there.

TMO just gives you 3 months ( 90 days ) on site, then they will refer you to HTC.

[aryndar]

I've had my phone for 5 months and I called the 1.888.716.3594 number. Spoke with a tech "Roger". He stated he was getting hundreds of calls about battery draining too fast and he is just 1 tech....

so...


my new battery is on the way.

Follow rayosx's instructions. They are spot on about the new battery (made by Sanyo).

Follow these steps to condition your new battery.

• Replace the old battery with the new one.
• Turn ON YOUR G1 phone and use it until it drains COMPLETELY. This means that your phone has turned off because of use.

• Charge it for at least 6 hours with the phone "TURNED OFF", then use it, and repeat step one, drain it until it turns off again, charge while off. Repeat 4-5 times.

This Site has some comments about the new battery also.


Below is my email notification and instructions:

Dear Valued Customer,

Your request for an Advanced Replacement has been approved.

Order Number(s):  XXXXXXX


At the time of your order setup, your credit card information was
collected.  To avoid being charged for your replacement accessory, please
follow the instructions below:

1. When you receive your package, please remove the enclosed replacement
accessory.  This is yours to keep.

2. Please place ONLY your original defective accessory in the box.  Please
DO NOT include any other accessories that are not covered under this RMA.

3. Securely cushion the contents in the box so it is not loose. Make sure
you use enough cushioning material to ensure that the contents do not move
when you shake the container.

4. Please take the pre-paid label that you receive and affix over the
existing label on the package.

5. Please write the following shipping address in bold capital letters on
the front of the box:

HTC Accessory Replacement Department
5950 Corporate Drive
Houston, TX 77036

6. Clearly label the package with your Order Number(s). Packages without a
valid Order Number(s) will be returned to the sender at their expense.

7. Please drop off at any convenient FedEx location.

HTC is not responsible for shipping damage or loss of goods for non-RMA
items. Failure to follow the procedures outlined above will delay the
process or void your order Number(s).

Failure to return the original accessory within 30 days of receipt will
result in the original MSRP and shipping costs of the accessory to be
charged to your credit card.

If you wish to check your replacement status, please contact us at
1-888-871-3305.

Thank you for choosing HTC. We appreciate your business.

Sincerely,
HTC Customer Care
1-888-871-3305



Now, there are 2 ways to get your battery.
1) they send you a self-addressed envelope, you put your battery inside and mail, wait 2-4 weeks turn-a-round, then you get your new battery. Can't use your phone... because you sent off the battery. Not a real popular option.

2) They (HTC) charges a credit card $1.00 for 'holding' fee while they send you the replacement then you follow the above email instructions. If all goes well, they reverse the $1.00 charge. Free battery.
If things don't go well, you don't return on time, etc... they charge your card $30.00.

[PokerEuphoria]

Thanks for this info... Its going to help a lot of users

[rayosx]

I can repeat 4 or 6 times the same process whether is needed, but this is not what T-Mo G1 Tech support told me, they have in their notes / instructions to repeat the process two times and charge one hour more or 2 hour more after you have the green light.

[kindhb420]

Just wanted to say Mucho Gras on how to get a replacement battery.  I spoke with T-Mob techie who said to call HTC to get the replacement.  The process was pain free and HTC will be sending a replacement in a few days.  I just wanted to say you guys have done an Excellent job in keeping us (G1 users) so informed.  Seriously, thanks a lot

[Cloverdale]

I finally got around to trying this, and was told by HTC that they have no more batteries in stock, and I will have to keep checking back. Very poor customer service.

[bubba_1992]

I have not tried draining my battery, i will try this tip and then if it doesn't work, i will call tmobile technicians. Thank you for this great information!!

[rayosx]

Bubba,
You are welcome

[aryndar]

got my HTC battery Friday, drained and recharged 3 times do far...

Seeing ... maybe a 10% improvement....

I'll keep on using and draining, maybe, I'll get better usage, but... not hoping for much..

Bought a 2300mAh extended battery, I just don't want to curb my usage.... I will 'suffer' with a slightly larger unit... I want to use my G1 and not worry about a dead battery.

When I get my 2300mAh, I'll write about its power...

[rayosx]

aryndar,
Sure

[g1_mar]

Psh I want a free battery!

[GT1-Man]

yeah right, its hard to get anything free, moreless a battery

[aryndar]

got my HTC battery Friday, drained and recharged 3 times do far...

Seeing ... maybe a 10% improvement....

I'll keep on using and draining, maybe, I'll get better usage, but... not hoping for much..

Bought a 2300mAh extended battery, I just don't want to curb my usage.... I will 'suffer' with a slightly larger unit... I want to use my G1 and not worry about a dead battery.

When I get my 2300mAh, I'll write about its power...

Well, the 'new' replacement battery from HTC is a wee bit better. I recharged 3 rather than 5 times a day (for my type of use -- fairly heavy).

Got my 2300mAh today, 60% charged. Going to drain, recharge, etc...
    more forthcoming