[BetterBatteryStats] nobnut:
No sniggers from this end. It is an intesresting subject.

It is a thought that has crossed my mind before also. I haven't formed any conclusion on it yet, but here is what has crossed my (tiny) mind on this subject...

- - - - - - -

Fact 1

The SGSII is a very thin device, meaning:

1/ The volume to surface area ratio is higher than larger devices. This encourages the dissipation of heat [the larger the surface area in comparison with the volume, the harder it is for heat to radiate from the object e.g. large things lose heat slower than small things. To put it bluntly a fat Polar Bear will survive for longer in arctic conditions than a thin Polar Bear as it loses less core temperature]

2/ Any heat generated inside the device can quickly be radiated to the surface, causing the device to feel hot

3/ The internal parts causing the heat occupy a smaller, more dense space within the device and therefore cannot be cooled as easily

2 and 3 above may cancel each other out. I am not a thermo dynamics expert and therefore have no idea.

Fact 2

The CPU is overclocked from its originally engineered specifications

1/ It therefore works comparatively harder than those found in other similar spec devices (e.g. HTC Sensation)

Fact 3

The actual process of drain generates heat, meaning the battery is a heat source. The battery is not the primary source of heat however. The processor is. I have ruled this out as being a contributory factor however as if this were, then the device would just continue to get hotter and hotter whilst left on and the battery would drain faster and faster.

- - - - - - - -

There is a fundamental question in your hypothesis however... the 'chicken and egg' scenario:

Does the SGSII get hot, causing the battery to drain more?

or

Does something cause the battery to drain, leading to a by-product of heat generation which in turn cause the battery to be less efficient? (As suggested by DrunkFux666 before)

Now, in theory, the latter should be true. If the device is sleeping and no unneccessary processes are happening, then the device should not be draining and consequently there should be no heat build-up.

For a device of this size to cool to ambient temperature in the absence of an additional heat source does not take long. If one assumes a maximum of 20 minutes for the device to cool to ambient temperature, then twenty minutes after sleep has started, the battery should be draining at its minimum level and be at its optimum temperature. We can safely say that in the absence of any processes or wakes, then this state will remain in stasis until the battery runs out. If the device is woken from sleep and processes start, then heat generation and dissipation will start... and yes, this will cause the battery to become less efficient, in turn reducing the available life of the battery charge as battery efficiency drops with heat generation.

In summary, I read with interest what you said and I follow the logic you presented. I have nothing more than theories in relation to this subject, all of which are academic in nature.

I'll just leave you with three thoughts:

1/ You have very little control over the ambient temperature in a building within a range that will materially affect the battery life of your SGSII

2/ You have virtually no control over outdoor ambient temperature

and

3/ Theories are great fun for debating but irrelevant in the real world. For example, Zeno's theorem suggests that motion can be proven to be mathematically impossible. We all know this is incorrect however... I know this as my fingers are moving as I type this waffle. It remains a theorem as it cannot be proven to be a fact.

Have a good weekend everyone.