Travelling is an incredible way to discover new places, immerse yourself in diverse cultures, and capture unforgettable moments. For most of us, our smartphone is an essential travel companion – whether it’s navigating unfamiliar streets, staying connected with loved ones, or snapping photos of iconic landmarks. Yet, there’s one challenge every traveller dreads: battery drain.
Running out of battery when you’re exploring can be both frustrating and inconvenient, leaving you disconnected or even lost. That’s why learning to optimise your smartphone’s battery life is essential. And if you’re travelling in the UK or abroad, adopting an eSIM, such as those eSim Providers UK like SimOnly Club, can make your journey even smoother.
In this guide, we will share practical tips to extend your phone’s battery life and explore why an eSIM is a must-have for hassle-free travel.
Why Battery Optimisation is Crucial When Travelling
At home, it’s easy to find charging points – at work, in cafes, or even on public transport. However, when travelling, especially in unfamiliar destinations, access to charging facilities can be limited. On top of this, smartphones tend to consume more power when roaming or searching for networks.
Whether you’re embarking on a day-long sightseeing tour or waiting to capture the perfect sunset photo, keeping your phone powered is non-negotiable. By adopting smart battery-saving habits and switching to an eSIM, you can reduce unnecessary power consumption and stay connected wherever you go.
How eSIMs Help Optimise Battery Life During Travel
Traditional SIM cards often cause excessive battery drain, especially when travelling abroad. Why? Physical SIMs continuously search for network signals when your carrier’s partner networks are unavailable, which is a battery-intensive process.
You can resolve this issue with an eSIM like those from SimOnly Club. eSIMs allow you to connect directly to a local network in your destination, such as the UK, without the need for roaming. This stable connection reduces power usage, helps your phone function more efficiently, and eliminates the need to swap out physical SIM cards.
Top Tips to Optimise Your Smartphone’s Battery During Travel
1. Enable Battery-Saving Modes
Most smartphones come with built-in power-saving modes to extend battery life by limiting background processes and reducing non-essential activities.
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For iPhone users: Navigate to Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode.
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For Android users: Go to Settings > Battery > Power Saving Mode.
These modes dim your screen, pause background app refreshes, and slow down performance to conserve energy.
2. Switch to a Local eSIM for Stable Connectivity
Switching to a local eSIM during travel reduces battery drain caused by roaming or network searching. By using a SimOnly Club eSIM, you can quickly activate a local UK data plan for seamless and stable connectivity.
eSIMs help your phone connect directly to the strongest local networks, avoiding the energy-intensive process of hunting for signals.
3. Adjust Screen Brightness and Enable Dark Mode
The display is one of the biggest contributors to battery drain. To save power:
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Lower your screen brightness to a comfortable level, or use auto-brightness to adjust it based on ambient light.
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Enable Dark Mode on devices with OLED screens, as it consumes less power compared to light themes.
4. Turn Off Unnecessary Features
When travelling, your phone often has features running that you don’t actively need. Disable the following to save battery:
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Bluetooth, when not using wireless headphones or accessories.
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Wi-Fi, if you’re relying on mobile data via an eSIM.
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Location Services, except for essential apps like maps (download offline maps beforehand to minimise GPS use).
5. Manage Background Apps
Many apps run silently in the background, draining battery without you noticing. To manage them:
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Close apps you’re not using.
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Disable Background App Refresh for non-essential apps in your settings.
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Check your phone’s battery usage stats to identify and limit power-hungry apps like streaming services or social media.
6. Use Airplane Mode in Areas with Weak Signals
When in regions with poor reception, your phone consumes significant power trying to connect to a network. Switch to Airplane Mode in such cases to conserve battery.
If you need connectivity, enable your eSIM’s mobile data once you return to an area with strong signal strength.
7. Carry a Power Bank
Even with the best optimisation tips, a power bank is a must-have travel accessory. Look for compact, high-capacity options (10,000mAh or more) to ensure you can recharge your phone multiple times on the go.
8. Plan for Charging Opportunities
While exploring, make use of charging points in public spaces like cafes, train stations, and airports. The UK has plenty of charging facilities in urban areas, so plan your stops accordingly to top up your battery.
Best UK eSIM Plans with SimOnly Club
For travellers visiting the UK, SimOnly Club offers reliable and cost-effective eSIM plans that provide:
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Affordable Data: Avoid costly roaming fees and overpaying for limited options.
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Quick Activation: Activate your eSIM within minutes, hassle-free.
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Strong Connectivity: Connect to the UK’s best networks for seamless mobile performance.
Switching to an eSIM ensures better connectivity, reduced battery drain, and no more fumbling with physical SIM cards while travelling.
Extra Tips for International Travellers
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Download Content in Advance: Pre-download maps, movies, and playlists to avoid streaming, which drains both data and battery.
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Monitor Battery Health: Before you travel, check your battery’s health. If your phone struggles to hold a charge, consider replacing the battery.
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Turn Off Data When Idle: If you don’t need constant access to the internet, disable mobile data to save energy.
Why eSIMs Are the Ultimate Travel Companion
Beyond saving battery life, eSIMs offer unparalleled convenience for modern travellers. With an eSIM from SimOnly Club, you can:
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Avoid the hassle of buying and replacing physical SIM cards.
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Stay connected to reliable local networks in the UK.
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Enjoy dual-SIM functionality, keeping your home number active while using a local plan.
Conclusion
Optimising your smartphone’s battery life is key to stress-free travel. Simple adjustments, such as enabling power-saving modes and disabling unused features, can make all the difference. Pairing these habits with a local eSIM from SimOnly Club ensures you stay connected and avoid unnecessary battery strain.
Whether you’re exploring London’s iconic landmarks or hiking in the scenic Scottish Highlands, an optimised smartphone and a reliable eSIM will help you make the most of your trip.