Smartphone active electrical draw
Smartphone active electrical draw is the electrical power consumed by a smartphone during active use, including display, processing and wireless communication.
How big is it?
3 W of power
Active electrical draw · representative
Typical recorded range: 500 mW to 10 W.
A little perspective
LED bulb is about 3 times larger on this measurement.
LED bulb: The electrical power drawn by a light-emitting diode lamp used for illumination.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Smartphone active electrical draw
A representative 3 W battery-side electrical draw for an actively used smartphone. Display brightness, radios, processor load, charging state and thermal limits cause large variation.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked active electrical draw is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
LED bulb
A chosen 9 W electrical input; brightness is a separate measurement.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked power is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Change your perspective
Put it next to…
Choose a suggestion to redraw the comparison, or open its page to learn what it is.
Why this measurement?
Why we use 3 W
For comparison, this page uses active electrical draw. This is labelled representative; the central value is useful for comparison, while real values or measurement solutions can vary. The recorded range is 500 mW to 10 W.
A representative 3 W battery-side electrical draw for an actively used smartphone. Display brightness, radios, processor load, charging state and thermal limits cause large variation.
The identifying illustration and the numerical comparison remain separate. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Smartphone active electrical draw dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 W | 500 mW to 10 W | representative |
Around this scale
Go smaller. Go bigger.
These links use compatible power records, ordered around the selected value.
Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
PowerLED bulb9 WThe electrical power drawn by a light-emitting diode lamp used for illumination.
PowerLaptop in use50 WThe electrical power consumed by a laptop computer while in active use.
PowerHuman mechanical output100 WThe sustained rate at which a person can perform mechanical work, such as cycling or lifting.
PowerIndicator LED50 mWThe electrical power used by a small light-emitting diode that indicates device status.
PowerMicrowave input1.2 kWThe electrical power supplied to a microwave oven for heating food.PowerSingle-mode laser pointer optical output5 mWSingle-mode laser pointer optical output is the continuous visible light power emitted by a standard handheld laser pointer operating in a single spatial mode.
PowerElectric kettle3 kWThe electrical power used by an electric kettle to heat water.PowerHearing aid average draw1 mWHearing aid average draw is the typical electrical power consumed by a hearing aid during normal operation.