Galaxy S5 Explained: Ultra Power Saving Mode

Imagine, if you will, the following nightmare scenario: in the middle of a meeting, everyone on the edge of their seats waiting for the all-important phone call to come through. All eyes on you, as your eyes look down to your phone to see the last slivers of battery life slowly fade away. If only there were a way to extend the battery life…

With a newly launched feature of the Galaxy S5, Ultra Power Saving Mode, you don’t have to worry about your battery dying at just the wrong moment. Using Ultra Power Saving Mode, you can save power significantly by changing the screen to black-and-white, and operating several essential apps while turning off all the non-essential services on your phone. With only 10 percent of the battery left, it will still go up to 24 hours in standby.

What is different from the existing ‘Power Saving Mode’?

In fact, many people are already aware of the previous ‘Power Saving Mode’ for extending battery usage. It also saves the battery life by subtly reducing its performance such as CPU power and the brightness of display. However, all functionality is fully available on the Power Saving Mode. It does not disable applications or network connections. Therefore, the amount of battery saving is relatively small.

▲ Quick Panel: Power Saving Mode & U-Power Saving Mode

On the other hand, what is most distinctive with ‘Ultra Power Saving Mode’ is ‘limited availability’. Only available are up to six applications and the display is changed into black-and-white. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS are automatically turned off and the data network turns on only when your screen is turned on. This ‘limited availability’ of U-Power Saving Mode eventually leads to a substantial power-saving and despite some initial concerns about its unfamiliarity, it turned out to be very beneficial from the user’s perspective, receiving favorable reviews at the Samsung Unpacked 2014.

In short, U-Power Saving Mode limits your phone and/but it makes sure you have a working phone when you need it the most.

Core Technologies that enabled Ultra Power Saving Mode

To use as little power as possible without taking away critical functions, Samsung applied these technologies:

1. Limited applications usage

In this mode, you have access only to some basic apps, but not more than six. Phone, Messages and Internet are set as default and you can select up to three among Alarm, Memo, Voice Recorder, Calculator and your downloaded apps*.

(*Note: Your downloaded app will be contained on the selective app list only if it satisfies the criteria of U-Power Saving mode regarding its power consumption.)

2. Black-and-white display

U-Power Saving Mode switches over its Super AMOLED display to black-and-white in order to lower the brightness of display and minimize electricity consumption.

3. Separate launcher with simple UI

A separate launcher for U-Power Saving Mode was made to offer essential applications to users in a restricted page. It also displays both the percentage of battery left and standby time* in graph form for users to perceive the information intuitively at a glance.

(*Note: The standby time may vary with changes in using environment.)

4. Background mobile data blocked off

The mobile network turns off when you turn off the screen. If you receive messages through mobile network, they don’t pop up until you turn on the screen. (You can still receive a SMS or a phone call.) Also, it limits application updates that consume power even while the screen is off, which users tend to be unaware. Plus, in this mode the connectivity features such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are automatically turned off.

5. CPU clock optimization

In U-Power Saving Mode the CPU Clock Speed is dropped to optimize the operation.

How and when to use

Out of consideration for users who may find themselves in hot water, Ultra Power Saving Mode is very easy and simple to enter:

Open the quick panel and tab U-Power Saving Mode. The percentage of the battery left and the standby hour will be shown. Tab ‘Ok’ and the screen will be automatically changed into grayscale, which means your phone is now in this mode. The battery percentage and simple clock showing standby hour will be displayed with three default apps including Phone, Messages and Internet. Also, you can select three more applications by pressing the ‘+’ button.

Isn’t it frustrating when unnecessary ads or maybe a chat window that can wait pop up and eat away your already hanging-on-by-a-string battery? In this mode, not only is the mobile network turned off when you turn off the screen, but also the connectivity features such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are automatically turned off. When every last iota of battery power matters, U-Power Saving Mode will give you a much-needed sense of security.

From the consumers’ perspective, improving the battery power is what is needed the most. As the main concept of the Galaxy S5 is caring for consumer’s life, Ultra Power Saving Mode is one of the key features of the Galaxy S5.

For the creation of Ultra Power Saving Mode, almost all departments were engaged including Display, Application, UI and even the Customer Service. What innovation will the battery technology bring in the future? From Ultra Power Saving Mode, it seems customers now may expect another evolution from Samsung Electronics.

*All functionality features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.