In Brief (TL;DR)
This article analyzes the impact of 5G and GPS technologies on device battery life and provides practical solutions to mitigate energy consumption.
We analyze the causes of this consumption and the best practices to manage it without giving up connectivity.
However, there are several strategies and settings you can adopt to minimize this consumption and extend your device’s autonomy.
The devil is in the details. 👇 Keep reading to discover the critical steps and practical tips to avoid mistakes.
The smartphone has become the center of our digital lives. We use it to communicate, work, entertain ourselves, and, increasingly, to navigate the world. Two of the technologies that have made this revolution possible are **5G** and **GPS**. The former promises connection speeds never seen before, while the latter allows us to know exactly where we are at all times. However, this incredible power comes with a hidden cost that many notice at the end of the day: a battery that runs out faster than expected. This phenomenon is not just an impression, but a technical reality we must learn to live with.
In a context like the Italian and European one, where social life is dynamic and smartphone use is constant, the dilemma between performance and battery life becomes crucial. From the historic streets of Rome, where GPS is essential to avoid getting lost, to 5G-connected squares where we share moments in real-time, the energy demand on our devices is at its peak. This article explores in detail why 5G and GPS are so demanding in terms of energy and offers a complete guide to managing battery life, finding a balance between innovation and daily life.
The Modern Dilemma: Speed and Location vs. Battery Life
The heart of the problem lies in the very nature of these technologies. To offer superior speeds and minimal latency, 5G uses higher frequencies and more complex transmission technologies compared to 4G. This requires the smartphone modem to work harder, which translates to higher energy consumption. Similarly, GPS must maintain constant communication with multiple satellites in orbit to calculate our position with precision. This continuous scanning and calculation process engages both the GPS receiver and the phone’s processor, draining the battery, especially when used for long periods, such as during car or walking navigation. The user thus faces a compromise: exploit the device’s potential to the max or preserve the charge to make it to the end of the day.
Why Is 5G More Demanding Than 4G?
The increase in energy consumption of 5G compared to 4G is attributable to several technical factors. Firstly, 5G networks, especially in their initial development phase, often operate in “Non-Standalone” (NSA) mode, meaning the smartphone must keep both 4G and 5G connections active simultaneously, increasing energy expenditure. Furthermore, the millimeter waves (mmWave) used by some 5G networks to reach very high speeds have a shorter range and require more power for transmission. A study by Ookla quantified this impact, noting that using 5G can drain the battery by 6% to 11% more than 4G. Although newer modems, like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, have significantly improved efficiency, the consumption gap remains an intrinsic characteristic of current technology.
GPS: Our Personal Navigator Is Always Hungry
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is by nature an “active” technology. To determine our position, the receiver in the smartphone must “listen” to signals coming from at least four satellites and perform complex calculations. This communication is constant and high-frequency, especially when using navigation apps that require real-time updates. The process engages not only the GPS chip but also the device’s central processor. Many applications, moreover, require location access in the background, even when we are not actively using them, causing continuous and often subtle energy consumption. Operating systems like Android and iOS have introduced low-power geolocation modes, which also use Wi-Fi and cellular networks for position estimation, but for maximum precision, GPS remains indispensable and incredibly power-hungry.
The Impact on Daily Life in Italy
In Italy, the interaction between technology and culture is particularly evident. The “Mediterranean culture” often implies a lively social life, spent outdoors, moving between squares, cafes, and historic centers. In these contexts, the smartphone is an inseparable companion. We use GPS to navigate the alleys of art cities like Florence or Naples and 5G to instantly share photos and videos of our experiences. This lifestyle, which combines tradition (meeting, socializing) and innovation (constant connectivity), puts batteries to the test. The growing spread of the 5G network in Italy, while opening up advanced technological scenarios, amplifies this challenge. The Italian user finds themselves having to balance the desire to be “always connected” with the practical need to have a working phone for the duration of their daily activities.
Practical Strategies to Manage Consumption
Fortunately, we are not powerless in the face of this energy consumption. With a few precautions, it is possible to mitigate the impact of 5G and GPS. One of the most effective strategies is intelligent connectivity management. If maximum speed is not needed, you can set the phone to prefer the 4G network, disabling 5G in the network settings. Many modern smartphones also offer a “5G Auto” mode that activates the next-generation connection only when necessary so as not to burden the battery. Regarding GPS, it is crucial to check which apps have permission to access location. Limiting access only to “while using the app” can make a big difference. For even more granular control, it is important to understand how to manage app permissions consciously. Furthermore, turning off geolocation when not strictly necessary is a simple but very effective habit.
Another area of intervention concerns general device settings. Lowering screen brightness, using a power-saving mode, and closing background applications that are not being used are always valid tips. Many do not know that the wallpaper can also have an impact: on OLED screens, using a black background consumes less energy. Identifying and limiting power-hungry apps is a crucial step; for this, consulting our complete guide to maximizing battery life can provide valuable tools and knowledge. Finally, it is essential to learn to manage apps that consume too much, by hibernating them or limiting their background activity to regain full control of your device’s autonomy.
Is the Future More Efficient? Innovations on the Horizon
The good news is that both hardware manufacturers and software developers are aware of the problem and are constantly working on more efficient solutions. New System-on-a-Chips (SoCs) integrate increasingly optimized 5G modems, capable of reducing energy consumption with equal performance. The development of “Standalone” (SA) 5G networks, which no longer rely on 4G infrastructure, promises to improve connection efficiency. Operating systems are also becoming smarter, with “adaptive battery” functions that learn our habits and optimize background app consumption. Furthermore, the European Union is pushing for greater sustainability, as demonstrated by the recent regulation that will require easily replaceable batteries in smartphones starting from 2027, a step that could radically change our relationship with device autonomy.
Conclusions
Living in the era of 5G and GPS means having powerful tools available that have transformed our daily lives, especially in a dynamic and social context like the Italian one. However, speed and precision have a tangible energy cost. Understanding why these technologies consume so much battery should not lead to frustration, but to greater awareness. 5G is inherently more demanding due to its frequencies and network complexity, while GPS requires constant dialogue with satellites. The solution is not to give up on innovation, but to learn to govern it. Through careful management of connectivity settings, app permissions, and system optimizations, every user can find their ideal balance. While waiting for even more efficient hardware and software, the real key to a long-lasting battery remains informed and strategic use of our smartphone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, several studies confirm that 5G technology consumes more energy than 4G. An Ookla study found additional consumption ranging between 6% and 11%. This happens because 5G, to guarantee higher speeds, uses more complex technologies and, sometimes, frequencies that require more power. However, modern smartphone processors (SoCs) are increasingly efficient and manage to partially mitigate this extra energy consumption.
GPS consumes a lot of energy primarily because the phone must constantly communicate with multiple satellites to calculate its exact position. This process, combined with processing received data and sending this information to requesting apps (like maps or social networks), requires significant effort from the processor and radio chip, causing rapid battery drain. Device overheating during GPS use is also a sign of this intense work.
To optimize battery life, you can adopt several strategies. For 5G, many smartphones offer a specific power-saving mode that automatically switches to 4G when high speeds are not needed. For GPS, it is advisable to activate it only when needed and limit apps that can access location in the background. Other useful tips include lowering screen brightness, turning off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not in use, and closing unnecessary background apps.
Yes, disabling 5G and setting the phone to use only the 4G network is one of the most effective ways to save battery. If you do not constantly need maximum connection speed, for example for streaming ultra-high-definition video or online gaming, the 4G network is more than sufficient for most daily activities like browsing the web, using social media, or listening to music. Many phones allow you to set the preferred network (e.g., 4G/LTE) from mobile network settings.
Both technologies are very power-hungry, but their impact depends on usage. GPS, when in active use for navigation, tends to consume more battery in a short time frame due to continuous communication with satellites and data processing. 5G, on the other hand, has a more constant impact, increasing the phone’s base consumption whenever connected to this network, even in standby. In general, one hour of navigation with active GPS will likely consume more battery than one hour of web browsing on 5G, but the overall impact of 5G on the day can be greater if the connection is always active.
Did you find this article helpful? Is there another topic you'd like to see me cover?
Write it in the comments below! I take inspiration directly from your suggestions.