charging impossible with GPS on

[M4er]

I faced a strange charging problem with my new M4 Aqua (Android 5.0) while driving. I use it for navigation (GPS) und the display is always on.The phone is permanently connected to power.

After a while a message pops up "The phone does not get enough current and is discharging". Indeed, the charging lamp is on, but the battery percentage value permanently falls.

Then I've installed an app called "Ampere" which measures the current the phone gets from a charger. Indeed, when using GPS with high presision the current drops from almost 1A to 50mA or less.

I've tried different cables and chargers and I can reproduce that bevaviour even at home with the original Sony charger on 230V. When GPS is on and I open apps that use the GPS signal (Navigon or DailyRoadsVoyager), the power consumption gets so high, that the charger cannot prevent discharging the phone. So it's not possible to use it for navigation for longer distances.

Is that a general problem or just an issue with my model?

[Qatrium]

@M4er

Can you test the same while using Google Maps? Just to make sure it's not the app that consumes the power.

[CameronT]

Hi M4er,

Welcome to the community!

To add to what Quester said, it is also worth testing the Google Maps while in Safe Mode so that there are no other third party apps running that could also be draining your battery.

[M4er]

I made same more tests and the problem isn't related to GPS at all (maybe GPS ist boosting it).

When I run multiple apps in parallel (as I usually do while driving) the charger isn't able to charge the phone anymore. It's not related to a specific app, it's the sum of multiple running apps. Even with the original Sony charger at 230V power supply at home. The phone battery slowly discharges. Especially when driving longer distances this is not acceptable, because the navigation is urgently required.

I'm afraid I cannot argue with the seller. Because apps (and not the hardware) are responsible for draining the battery I expect he will advise to use other apps. But that's not an option for me - the charger (backed with more than enough power) must provide enough energy to charge the phone in all situations. If not the charger / the battery charging regulation is not suitable for the phone.

So I'm going to sell the phone after few weeks and buy another brand. At least my previous HTC phone does not have this kind of problem - using the same apps.