Netflix, TikTok, and YouTube Are Secretly Killing Your Smartphone Battery
Table of Contents
A recent study reveals the surprising culprits behind rapidly draining smartphone batteries, and the results might force you to rethink your app usage. According to new research from U.K.-based telecommunications company Elevate, certain popular apps are significantly more power-hungry than others, with streaming and social media platforms leading the charge. If you’ve noticed your phone needing a charge more frequently than it used to, you’re not alone.
The Declining State of Smartphone Battery Life
Modern smartphones boast impressive capabilities, but battery life remains a persistent challenge. Elevate’s study, published via Yahoo, indicates a noticeable decline in battery performance compared to 2019. Back then, most phones could reliably last a day and a half on a single charge. Now, a growing number of users are finding themselves reaching for a charger daily. While increased usage plays a role, the apps installed on your device are also major contributors to this drain, particularly due to their background processes.
You can easily identify battery-draining apps within your phone’s Settings, but be prepared to see some familiar favorites near the top of the list. These apps, despite their utility, have been found to consume a disproportionate amount of power. Removing or limiting their background activity could significantly extend your battery life.
The Top 5 Battery-Draining Apps
Here’s a breakdown of the apps most responsible for sapping your phone’s power, according to Elevate’s findings:
1. Netflix: The Streaming Powerhouse
Netflix consistently ranks as a top streaming service, offering a vast library of content and a user-friendly interface. However, enjoying your favorite shows and movies on your smartphone comes at a cost. Elevate’s study identifies Netflix as the most battery-draining app.
The app’s intensive streaming demands a significant amount of power. Users spend an average of 60 hours per month watching content, with an additional 13 hours of background processes running. This translates to Netflix consuming a staggering 1,500% of a full battery charge each month – far exceeding any other app examined. Be prepared for a faster-than-usual battery drain during your next binge-watching session.
2. TikTok: Short Videos, Long Battery Drain
TikTok’s popularity continues to soar, boasting over 1.59 billion users worldwide and ranking as the fourth most popular social media app in the U.S., according to a Pew Research Center survey. But this short-form video platform is also a significant drain on your battery.
Elevate’s research shows TikTok drains 825% of a fully charged battery per month. While less than Netflix’s 1,500%, it’s still substantial. Users spend approximately 33 hours per month within the app, coupled with nearly 10 hours of background activity. The study highlights that TikTok continues to run processes even after the app is closed, silently consuming power.
3. YouTube: Video Consumption Comes at a Cost
YouTube remains a dominant force in online video, offering a vast library of content and a robust live TV streaming service with YouTube TV. However, watching videos on the go can quickly deplete your battery.
Elevate’s investigation reveals that Google’s video app consumes 540% of a full battery charge monthly. The app drains roughly 20% of battery life per hour of viewing, a considerable amount. Adding to this, YouTube runs background processes for approximately six to seven hours each month, further impacting battery performance.
Launched in July 2023 by Meta, Threads quickly emerged as a competitor to X (formerly Twitter), mirroring its layout and short-text post format. As a social media app, it’s no surprise that Threads appears on this list of battery drainers.
According to Elevate’s study, Threads consumes 460% of a full battery charge per month. The app also engages in background activity, running processes for an average of 6.9 hours monthly, demonstrating that many apps don’t fully cease operations when closed.
5. Snapchat: Visual Messaging and Battery Usage
Snapchat, the visual messaging service established in 2011, also contributes to battery drain. The study found Snapchat consumes 320% of a full battery every month.
While better than Netflix, Snapchat still ranks among the worst apps for battery usage. Elevate’s team found that a significant portion of Snapchat’s battery consumption occurs in the background, with half of its monthly usage attributed to background activity. Users spend around 16 hours per month on Snapchat, but even moderate usage can impact battery life.
Methodology and Considerations
The apps discussed were identified through a study conducted by Elevate and published by Yahoo. The team analyzed factors such as data usage, average screen time, and battery drainage per hour to calculate each app’s monthly battery consumption. The study examined the ten most battery-draining apps, but this article focuses on the top five, ranked from most to least impactful.
