Does Airplane Mode Speed Up Smartphone Charging?
As smartphone battery capacities increase, often exceeding 4000 to 5000 mAh, charging time has become a significant concern for users and a key marketing point for manufacturers.
Despite advancements in fast charging technology, many users are looking for simple ways to reduce charging time, including activating airplane mode during charging.
* Does It Make Sense… and Is It Effective?
When airplane mode is enabled, cellular networks, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth are turned off, which theoretically reduces energy consumption during charging and should speed up the time it takes to reach a full battery, according to a report from SlashGear.
* Practical Tests Show Limited Difference
Practical tests were conducted using a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra; the battery was fully drained and then charged to 100%, with precise timing recorded in both normal and airplane modes, using a Nothing CMF Power 65-watt charger under similar temperature conditions.
Results:
• Fastest charge from 0 to 100% in airplane mode: one hour and two minutes.
• Fastest charge with networks enabled: one hour and nine minutes.
The difference did not exceed 6 minutes, aligning with previous findings from CNET, which noted a variation of 4 to 11 minutes.
* Is It Worth It?
While airplane mode provides a slight advantage, the average difference is only about 5 minutes.
Moreover, the inability to receive calls and messages while in airplane mode makes it a less practical option for most users.
* Heat: The Main Enemy of Fast Charging
Tests indicated that ambient temperature plays a more critical role than airplane mode itself:
_ 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.
_ When returning to a moderate temperature environment, charging times improved significantly, confirming that heat can negate any minimal benefits of airplane mode.
* Final Conclusion
• Activating airplane mode may reduce charging time by just a few minutes.
• The difference is often negligible in daily use.
• Heat, charger quality, and poor charging habits are more influential factors.
• Using a manufacturer-recommended charger and appropriate charging conditions is the best approach.
If you're in a hurry, airplane mode might help a little, but in regular daily use, it remains a secondary option with minimal impact.
