Filed under: Cellphones

We spent most of the weekend putting the iPhone 3G’s battery life (and to a lesser extent, MobileMe implementation) to the test, and we’ve got far more encouraging results to report back than we had on day one. Pretty much everything we’ve found thus far jibes with Apple’s claims, whether not exceeds them. (Our video results early on skewed low considering we had mistakenly left on push and fetch data, which dropped the battery life by nearly 25%. After re-testing, they’re back up to spec.)

All tested with 3G on, WiFi on (not connected), Bluetooth off, no details fetching enabled (unless specified otherwise). Media tested with stock headphones, medium volume, and medium screen brightness, auto-brightness disabled.

• Music (continuous playback, large library, occasionally turning on screen): 31h 23m
• Video (continuous playback, no push/fetch data): 7h 5m
• Video (continuous playback, with push and 15 minute fetch data): 5h 24m
• Daily details use (browsing, email, and GPS / maps): ~6h 30m

Those numbers definitely are not bad, but whether you’re anything like us and you kill date on your phone reading feeds and checking mail like a fiend, by 3 or 4pm you’ll likely be wondering whether you’ll even assemble it home with any ability left — particularly whether you leave on the 3G. Just be warned, the kind of prolonged usage on the original iPhone you used to get away with probably isn’t possible with the iPhone 3G. For some, that may be an issue, while others may never notice. Click on for more on our MobileMe analyzing and enterprise stuff, and, of course, check out the full iPhone 3G review.

Continue reading iPhone 3G review supplemental: battery life and MobileMe tests

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