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Smartphone Myths Debunked: The Truth Revealed

The truth behind smartphone myths debunked, from inaccurate battery percentages to Bluetooth power myths, IP rating and blue light glasses misconceptions also know how to protect your privacy online.

TECH BLOGS

SHIBASIS RATH

3/25/20256 min read

Smartphone Myths Debunked: The Truth Revealed

black android smartphone displaying home screen
black android smartphone displaying home screen

By Shibasis Rath
Bioscience and technology enthusiast, specializing in life sciences and innovative tech solutions.

shibasis.jpg
shibasis.jpg

The truth behind smartphone myths debunked, from inaccurate battery percentages to Bluetooth power myths and IP rating misconceptions.

Battery Percentage is Not Always Accurate

The battery percentage displayed on your phone isn’t always correct. Even if your phone has an IP rating, companies won’t repair it if it gets water damaged. The battery health indicator on your phone also doesn’t always show accurate information.

And did you know that using a screen protector can drain your battery faster?

There are many such myths that you might not be aware of. I’ve researched and tested all these claims, and in this video, I’ll reveal the truth.

So, let’s dive in!

Bluetooth and Battery Drain: The Truth

Most people think that having Bluetooth on consumes their battery life more quickly. This used to be the case when normal Bluetooth was employed, but today with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), the power usage is much less. Some think that Bluetooth is always scanning for connections, but it only does this when you activate your screen or go into the Bluetooth settings. Since 2010, BLE has made Bluetooth devices ten times more efficient. Also, Bluetooth uses only 1mW of power, whereas Wi-Fi consumes 10-30mW, and LTE can use even more. In reality, your SIM card consumes the most battery, especially if you use dual SIMs.

Is Your Battery Percentage Accurate?

Have you noticed that your battery drains slowly from 50% to 40% but drops quickly in the last 10%?

That’s because battery percentage is an estimate based on voltage readings. Batteries are complex, and their charge level depends on factors like chemical reactions and temperature. Your phone tries to predict battery life using multiple methods, but it’s never 100% accurate.

That’s why I don’t completely trust battery indicators.

IP Ratings Don’t Guarantee Waterproofing

Many people think an IP-rated phone is completely waterproof. But if your phone gets damaged in water, manufacturers won’t repair it under warranty. Some brands clearly state that water damage isn’t covered, even if the phone has an IP rating. While most IP-rated phones handle water well, saltwater or dirty water can still cause damage. Also, not all companies get independent agencies to test their IP ratings—some conduct their own internal tests, which might not always be reliable.

The Truth About Blue Light Glasses

There was a trend when individuals began wearing blue light glasses, believing they had no problems looking at screens all day. Yet, scientists have shown that blue light glasses do not lower eye strain. A study on PubMed tested 120 individuals—one group wore blue light glasses, and another wore standard glasses. The findings revealed no measurable difference in eye strain. The actual reason for eye strain is extended screen time, bad posture, and lack of blinking. Blue light from screens isn't dangerous to your eyes, according to the American Academy of Optometry.

Rather, discomfort occurs because we blink less when looking at screens, resulting in dry eyes. To lower strain, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, glance at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. But blue light exposure at night does ruin melatonin production and sleep. If you are going to use screens late at night, blue light glasses will assist you, or you can activate Night Mode on your phone.

black and white remote control
black and white remote control

Benchmark Scores Don’t Reflect Real-World Performance

People often rely on benchmark scores to judge a phone’s performance. But benchmarks use extreme tests that don’t reflect everyday usage. High benchmark scores don’t guarantee smooth performance, as factors like UI optimization, battery health, and storage speed matter more. Also, some brands manipulate benchmark results by paying companies to inflate scores. Instead of relying solely on benchmarks, look at real-world usage tests.

How to Check Your Phone’s Real Battery Health

To check your actual battery health, don’t trust what’s shown in settings. Many recent reports suggest these indicators aren’t always accurate. Instead, you can find the true battery health using Apple’s Analytics Data:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements

2. Open Analytics Data and find the most recent log file

3. Use a Siri Shortcut to extract your real battery health from this file

This method gives a more accurate battery health reading than what your phone displays.

person holding low battery smartphone
person holding low battery smartphone

Incognito Mode is Not Fully Private

Many people believe that using Incognito Mode or Private Browsing makes them completely anonymous online. However, this is a myth—your activity can still be tracked in several ways. While Incognito mode does offer some level of privacy, it is far from being a foolproof shield against tracking.

What Does Incognito Mode Actually Do?

Incognito mode mainly helps with local privacy.

This means that when you browse in Incognito mode:

  • Your browsing history is not saved on your device.

  • Cookies and login details are not stored after you close the session.

  • You can use services like YouTube without signing in, avoiding personalized recommendations.

While these features may seem useful, they only protect your data from other users on your device. Incognito mode does not prevent websites, advertisers, or your Internet Service Provider (ISP) from tracking your activity.

How Can You Still Be Tracked?

Even if you use Incognito mode, your ISP, network administrators, and websites can still see and track your online activity.

Here’s how:

  1. Digital Fingerprinting: Every browser collects and shares unique details about your device, including:

    • Processor type

    • Operating system

    • Browser version

    • Screen resolution

    • Installed fonts

  2. This combination of information creates a unique digital fingerprint, which websites can use to identify you even if you delete cookies. This fingerprinting technique is commonly used for personalized ads, fraud prevention, and analytics, but it also allows websites to track users without their consent.

  3. IP Address Tracking: Your IP address remains visible to websites and ISPs, allowing them to monitor your online activity.

    This means that:

    • Your ISP still knows which websites you visit.

    • Websites like YouTube and Facebook can still collect data about you.

    • Online Accounts and Services: If you log into any account (Google, Facebook, Twitter) while in Incognito mode, those services will continue tracking your activity. This means Incognito mode does not prevent data collection by social media platforms, email providers, or other online services.

How to Protect Your Privacy Online

If you want to improve your online privacy, consider these steps:

  • Use a Virtual Machine (VM): Running a browser inside a virtual machine like VirtualBox adds a great extra layer of separation from your main hardware. Getting that boundary between your personal system and the one running in the VM is super important too and adds a good layer of security. This way your daily activities won't be directly disrupting how your 'laptop inside a laptop' operates because of its own distinct system.

  • Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network): Services like ProtonVPN really crimp the movement of your information and can conceal your IP by encrypting your internet use. This makes making detailed background checks by websites or ISPs awfully hard.

  • Choose Privacy-Focused Browsers: Brave, Tor, and Firefox have built-in features to block trackers and fingerprinting.

  • Enable Anti-Fingerprinting Features: Firefox allows users to block fingerprinting by randomizing or hiding certain device details.

  • Be Cautious with Online Activity: One of the best ways to safeguard your privacy is to be down to earth about what info you share online. It's also important to understand that even using things like private browsing windows can’t totally lock away everything secret.

    👉CHECK OUT HOW WHATSAPP FRAUD IS GOING ON 👈

FINAL THOUGHT

If you thought Incognito mode made you completely anonymous online, I’m sorry—it doesn’t. It just keeps your browsing private on your local computer, but it doesn't prevent tracking from sites, ISPs, and online advertisers. For true privacy, using VPNs, privacy-focused browsers, and anti-tracking tools is essential. Or, as I like to say—stay aware, browse smart, and don’t rely on Incognito mode alone!

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