Cell phone power consumption varies dramatically from model to model, and battery life varies with it.  However, lower than expected battery life for a single model can point to problems with either the battery itself, or, less often, with integrated circuit performance.  A glitch in the manufacture of the IC – or an inefficient initial design – can consume more power than necessary and lead to a battery life shorter than engineers expected.

A major cell phone manufacturer whose name you would know is having just such a problem (though they’d rather I didn’t say who because it does nothing for their market share) and they’ve asked me to visit one of their state-of-the-art plants to help them determine whether their shortened battery life issues arise from design or manufacturing. 

I should know soon.  For now, that’s all.