For better battery life on a new Android phone, start by shortening screen timeout, lowering or automating brightness, and reviewing background activity. For privacy, review permissions app by app—especially location, camera, and microphone—instead of switching off every service globally. Exact menus and options vary by Android version and phone maker, so use your manufacturer’s instructions if a path differs.
Which settings make the biggest battery difference?
Google’s Android battery guidance recommends reviewing screen behavior and background activity, but it does not quantify how many extra hours any particular change will provide. The result depends on the phone, apps, signal conditions, and how you use the device.
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Reduce screen use
- Set a shorter screen timeout so the display turns off sooner when idle.
- Lower brightness or use automatic brightness if it suits your needs.
- Consider Dark theme, particularly if you prefer it; its battery effect depends on the screen and device.
- Turn off keyboard sounds or vibration if you do not need them.
Look for display and sound options in Settings; their exact names and locations differ by manufacturer. Google’s battery-saving guidance lists these types of adjustments and notes that available settings vary by device.
Review Adaptive Battery and app use
Enable Adaptive Battery if your phone offers it, then check the battery-usage screen to identify apps consuming power. Restrict background activity selectively: limiting an app that needs to sync or deliver alerts may delay those functions. Avoid restricting apps whose timely notifications or background work matter to you.
#1 Best Overall
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
Use Battery Saver when its tradeoffs are acceptable
Battery Saver can limit or turn off background activity and may delay visual effects, features, network connections, and app activity. That can extend use between charges, but delayed notifications or syncing while it is active may be expected rather than a fault. Turn it on when you need to conserve power, or schedule it if your phone provides that option.
How should you review app permissions?
Use Android’s permission controls to decide what each app can access. You can usually review permissions by app or by permission type; Google’s permission-management instructions describe the available controls, which vary by device and Android release.
Rank #2
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with Verizon, Spectrum, AT&T, Total Wireless, other CDMA carriers, it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- 4G LTE Bands: B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20/B28/B38/B40/B41
- Display: Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
- Open Settings and find Privacy, Security and privacy, or Permission manager. The exact path depends on the phone.
- Review sensitive categories such as location, camera, microphone, contacts, and files. Check which apps have access and whether that access fits each app’s purpose.
- Where offered, choose “Allow only while using the app” or “Ask every time” when continuous access is unnecessary. Remove access for apps that do not need it.
- For apps you rarely use, consider enabling “Pause app activity if unused,” if available. This can limit activity and permissions for unused apps.
Do not assume every permission has the same choices: options depend on the permission, Android version, and phone software.
How can Privacy Dashboard help?
Privacy Dashboard shows which apps accessed permissions and when, helping you investigate access you did not expect. Google’s current instructions specify a history window of the last 7 days on Android 13 and 24 hours on Android 12; those windows are version-specific, not universal. Open Settings and search for “Privacy Dashboard” if you cannot find it in your phone’s menus. After checking the activity, change the relevant app’s permission if needed. See Google’s Privacy Dashboard instructions.
Rank #3
- Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB**** of RAM.
- Fluid display + immersive stereo sound. Bring your entertainment to life with an ultrawide 6.5" 90Hz* HD+ display plus stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and Hi-Res Audio**.
- 50MP*** Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- 64GB**** built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps—and add up to 1TB more with a microSD card*****.
- Unbelievable battery life. Work and play nonstop with a long-lasting 5000mAh battery.*****
What location settings should you change?
Location choices work best when matched to what an app actually needs. An app that only needs to identify a nearby place may not need precise location; navigation or another location-dependent feature may need more access.
Choose app-level access and accuracy
- For an app that needs location only during active use, choose “Allow only while using the app” where available instead of background access.
- Choose approximate location for apps that need a general area, not your exact position. Android 12 and later can offer separate precise-location control for an app.
- Keep precise or background access only for apps whose functions genuinely require it.
Google explains how app location permissions work and distinguishes app-level precise location from the device’s Location Accuracy setting. Turning off Location Accuracy reduces the sources used to determine location and can make some location functions less effective; it does not revoke a particular app’s permission. Google says the temporary rotating identifier used for Location Accuracy is deleted within 7 days.
Rank #4
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
Know what the device-wide Location switch affects
Turning off Location at the device level prevents apps and services from getting the device’s location, but it can also affect Maps, device finding, location sharing, earthquake alerts, automatic time-zone selection, and other location features. Emergency location behavior is handled separately, so do not treat the global switch as a guarantee that emergency location services are disabled. Google’s location settings guidance explains device-wide controls and their effects.
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Should you turn off Usage & diagnostics?
This is a separate privacy choice, not a battery optimization with a proven, measured runtime gain. When enabled, a device may share information such as battery level, app use, and network-connection quality with Google. Turning it off does not prevent apps from collecting information. Google states, “Turning off usage and diagnostics won’t affect info that apps might collect.” Review Google’s Usage & diagnostics settings if you want to change this optional device-level sharing.
Best Value
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Why don’t the menu paths match?
Android settings differ by version and manufacturer. Google’s security and privacy guide says Android 13 and newer commonly group controls under Settings > Security and privacy, while Android 12 and older may separate Security and Privacy; not every device combines those pages. Battery and permission instructions can also vary. If a label or path is missing, search Settings for the feature name or consult the phone maker’s support site. Keep Android and your apps updated so you have current fixes and controls.
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