When I first unpacked my G1 in December I remarked I was “impressed but can’t get over the feeling that [it] could easily have been much better with only a small amount of effort.”
Since then I’ve had few complaints – although there have been too many times when call and SMS alerts have failed to sound and the hot battery is a bit of a concern, I’ve largely avoided the issues of battery life and reliability that many users have reported.
That changed after I accepted the recent software update late last week.
Initially all seemed fine but over the weekend the phone seemed to need charging more than is usual, as I’d used it I wasn’t able to be 100% certain if the battery was being used faster than previously but today I found myself facing a red ‘low battery alert’ just three hours after I unplugged it from an all-night charge.
Had I been making calls or using the web I’d expect some serious battery usage, but when all the phone did was sit on my desk for three hours I don’t consider an 8% remaining charge acceptable.
With software updates adding new issues, a lack of clarity over when the cupcake update is coming and poor customer information this is easily the worst handset I’ve ever had the misfortune to own, a new handset is working its way through the post to me but it’s becoming clear that the usability and reliability of any specific G1 is a bit of a lottery.
If you’ve not yet been offered the chance to break upgrade your G1 take some advice and decline the prompt when it comes.
I would tend to disagree overall with your opinion. I have the latest update and my battery is working as well as it did before. Usually lasting about 2 days, granted I don’t talk on the phone much but use it through out the day to surf, email and game. Any particular unit is subject to defects no matter what the product. I previously owned a blackberry curve and pearl. My pearl had no issues while I owned it however a hardware defect surfaced after about 6 months of use. A close friend of mine works at a tmobile store and says that any model from any maker has come back with issues with an unknown solution that requires nothing more than replacing the unit. Buy the insurance! G1 is a solid phone.
I completely disagree with the above comment. I was one of the first to get the G1 in Oct and I must say i am really impressed. My colleagues were so impressed at work that 5 have followed my lead in the last 4 months alone. The apps are getting better in market, and the cupcake update is coming in April. you must have had a defective battery. I have never had the pleasure of owning an i phone, but now that things are coming along with the G1 I don’t want one. Just my 2 cents
I am having the same problem with my G1. Until yesterday, I could charge my phone every morning and it would last until the next morning with charge to spare. Multiple calls, games, IM, texts… Yesterday was normal, I charged it and left for work. I did not use the phone but by lunch it was completely dead. Now the phone only holds a charge for about 3 hours on stand by before it’s completely dead. If I make a call, it’s dead in about 30 minutes. I have a friend who is having the same problems with her phone (she’s on her second one, same problem). Does anyone know what it’s about?