Games that won't kill your battery

Not every good mobile game respects your battery, and that matters more than reviews usually admit. Some gorgeous titles turn your phone into a hand-warmer within twenty minutes. Others sip power and let you play for a full flight.

We ran a rough test: an hour of play each, screen at the same brightness, background apps closed. The differences were bigger than expected. Simpler puzzle and card games barely made a dent, while heavier 3D racers and RPGs pulled a lot more.

If battery life is your priority, look for games with flat or stylised art and turn-based or slow-paced systems. They tend to sip rather than gulp. Turning off any 'high frame rate' toggle in settings helped a surprising amount too.

None of this means you should avoid the big games — just plan around them. Save the demanding stuff for when you're near a charger.