Does Airplane Mode Really Speed Up Phone Charging?
As smartphone battery capacities rise, often exceeding 4000 and 5000 mAh, the time it takes to charge these devices has become a key concern for users and a significant marketing point for manufacturers.
Despite the development of fast charging technologies, many users seek straightforward methods to reduce charging time, including the practice of enabling airplane mode while charging.
* Does It Actually Work?
Activating airplane mode disables cellular networks, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, which is believed to lower power consumption during charging and potentially hasten the time it takes for the battery to reach full capacity, according to a report from SlashGear.
* Testing the Theory
To evaluate this claim, practical tests were conducted using a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The phone's battery was completely drained before charging it to 100%, with timing recorded for both normal mode and airplane mode, utilizing a Nothing CMF Power charger rated at 65 watts under similar temperature conditions.
Results:
• Fastest charging time from 0 to 100% in airplane mode: 1 hour and 2 minutes.
• Fastest charging time with all networks enabled: 1 hour and 9 minutes.
The difference was a mere 6 minutes, consistent with findings from CNET, which reported a variation of 4 to 11 minutes.
* Is It Worth It?
While airplane mode does provide a slight benefit, the overall time savings are minimal, typically not exceeding 5 minutes. Additionally, since airplane mode prevents receiving calls and messages during charging, it may not be practical for many users.
* The Role of Heat
Test results indicated that ambient temperature significantly influences charging speed more than airplane mode:
_ In tests conducted at high temperatures between 89 and 92 degrees Fahrenheit, the phone sometimes took over an hour and 20 minutes to charge, even with airplane mode activated.
_ In contrast, charging times improved considerably in moderate temperature conditions, underscoring that heat can diminish any minor advantages offered by airplane mode.
* Conclusion
• Enabling airplane mode may reduce charging time by a few minutes.
• The difference is often negligible in everyday use.
• Factors such as heat, charger quality, and charging habits have a more substantial impact.
• Using a manufacturer-recommended charger and maintaining suitable charging conditions is the most effective approach.
If you are in a hurry, activating airplane mode might offer a slight advantage, but for regular use, it remains a secondary option with minimal effect.
