Our smartphones are pocket wonders, mini computers that do everything from giving us directions to ordering takeaways, and recording precious family memories with the camera to playing high-end games. They even still make phone calls too. But all this can only be done if the batteries inside the phones last long enough, and some apps are more demanding on power than others, leaving us scrabbling for chargers as the sun goes down.

A new study from manufacturing firm OurPBC has revealed which popular apps place the most strain on our phone batteries, so much so that they might end up shorting the lifespan of your phone.

The study was based on the presumption the iPhone or Android user has allowed apps to access every possible permission that they ask for when first installed. This includes phone status, Wi-Fi connection, storage, camera, microphone, location, identity, contacts, SMS, call information, calendar and access to your photos, media and files.

Coming in joint-first for the most power hungry apps was Fitbit and Instagram, which were found to be equally draining on your precious battery life.

“Our research reveals that popular apps like Fitbit and Instagram can potentially use up to 85 percent of battery life, even when not actively in use. Social media, fitness tracking, and dating apps consistently rank among the most demanding on smartphone batteries,” said Hommer Zhao, Sales and Marketing Director of OurPCB.

The Fitbit app requires you allow several permissions so that your Fitbit activity tracker can talk to the app, so it’s important to allow it access to things such as your location and Wi-Fi connection. But it does not necessarily require access to your camera, microphone or files.

That’s not the case with Instagram, which requires access to most of the permissions so that you can fully use the app to post your stored photos, use the camera and tag your location.

Other top battery hogs were task automation app Tasker, LinkedIn, WhatsApp and Facebook. Seven out of the top 20 most demanding apps were popular social media apps millions use every day: Instagram, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) Telegram, and Facebook Messenger.

Dating apps Tinder, Hinge and Grindr were also in the top 20 and said to consume approximately more than 70 percent of battery life.

“Managing app permissions more effectively can slow down battery degradation, a common reason for phone replacement,” Zhao continued. He went on to warn phone users that this degradation of battery life can lead to you replacing your phone sooner than you might have wanted to.

“This knowledge empowers users to extend their device’s lifespan, which has broader implications for reducing electronic waste.

“With global smartphone usage on the rise, the e-waste problem is growing. By helping users maximise their current devices’ longevity, we aim to reduce the frequency of phone replacements. This approach not only saves consumers money but also contributes to minimizing the environmental impact of discarded electronics.”