[Galaxy S I9000 Accessories] ykhokhlov:
Introduction

The urgent need for a spare battery for my device, I felt at time of a journey to Portugal in May this year. The trip was an independent, we have decided to prepare it without use of tour agencies. All navigation in Lisbon, searching for information on attractions, and, of course, simply communications was tied to a smartphone. It soon became clear that, in this mode, my Galaxy S barely survive until lunch. In this situation, I often turn off the phone, to somehow leave it live to the evening.

Arriving home, I tried to find out why the battery goes out so quickly. In addition to attempts to optimize the software side, I began to collect statistics on battery with Battery Monitor Widget. In the end, it turned out that the real capacity of the battery instead of the regular 1500 mAh (declared by Samsung) was a little more than 1300 mAh, ie significantly lower than the nominal.

Conclusions for myself:

Install some phone battery saver.

Buy a spare battery.

Testing alternative battery

I did not want to buy the original battery. Its capacity could differ from declared again. I've started to read the forums, blogs, etc. I came across for a few articles, which described the alternative batteries for smartphones HTC. Both of review were about battery manufacturing company Mugen Power. I learned that there is some likelihood that the manufacturer can provide me the battery for my tests. I wrote a letter to the Mugen Power. The letter said that I am a PhD in power electronics (which is true), that I have a desire to test the battery for Samsung Galaxy S. Very soon I received a positive response. By following a few formalities and waiting a little longer than 3 weeks, I've received a packet with a battery for testing.

The geometrical dimensions of the Mugen's battery is almost the same as in original. Myugen's battery was a little thicker, but it fits in the smartphone without a problem.

In the manual for the battery, manufacturer especially requested a "training" of battery. I should "Train" it by running 5 or 4 full charge / discharge cycles. In addition, it was clarified that the charge cycle should be not less than 8-12 hours (even if the phone tells you that the battery is fully charged in less time).

I followed all of the instructions. Along the way, I do check readings Battery Monitor Widget. In the first cycle capacity was about 1200 mAh, and at the fifth it barely got over 1400 mAh. This, of course, more than have old original battery but substantially less than the stated 1600 mAh. I am wary, but decided to give it a chance for rehabilitation and went with it to vacation :).

10 additional days that I spent in vacation, led to a very positive effect on the battery. Battery even exceeded its declared capacity and was equal to 1626 mAh, which is about 2% bigger from the nominal.

Indications of Battery Monitor Widget is already good, but most importantly to experience an increase in battery capacity. Indeed, smartphone living time has increased so much that night of charging it was enough for the whole day of living. Thus I can conclude that living time was increased nearly in 2 times. For the entire time of vacation I never change a battery to the old one. I always had time to get back to the hotel in the evening and put the phone on charge.

A few words about the mode of using the phone on vacation. Wi-Fi and mobile internet enabled constantly, GPS navigation for at least 2 hours a day, for about 15 minutes reading the mail, 30-40 minutes of surfing the internet, talk no more than 1 hour a day.

If less of navigation, the charge lasts for at least 1.5 days.

Conclusions

Measured capacity of the alternative battery even exceeded the nominal and was 1626 mAh.

Given the fact that the actual time of use of alternative (new) battery has almost 2 times bigger, I suppose, that the real capacity of the original (old) battery is less than 1300 mAh. For myself, I decided that in this case purchase of the original battery would not good idea, even if it is cheaper than alternatives.

In spite of everything, I highly recommend you to have a spare battery along with you on the trip.

I think that this review will be useful to many people, as the Samsung Galaxy S, despite his respectable age, is still quite popular smartphone. I will be happy to answer questions and clarify details.

PS: Name of the tested battery is "Mugen Power 1600mAh Extended Battery for Samsung GalaxyS GT-i9000 / Epic 4G / Vibrant / Captivate

[HLI-Si9000SL ]".

Mugen Power company also produces "unformatted" battery for Samsung Galaxy S with capacity 3200 mAh. I did not want to thicken up the phone, so this option is not even considered. Decide for yourself.