This is news to me. That said, I’m usually one generation behind but upgrade every 2 years as my phone is usually EOL for software updates by the end of the period. I try to time it so I can get a replacement paid outright at mid-range prices.
With the Pixel 8 introducing extended software support, I’ll have to dig more into this.
I’m on Graphene. Mullvad is only 1% for me with 16h30min since last on a charge. I’m at 56% with 1h30m screen time.
I used GPS as I did some driving with maps and my music app accounting for 29% of my battery usage.
I throw my phone on the charger at night figuring battery tech and software management is good enough.
Are you WiFi or mobile? I get shitty mobile service so if I’m off WiFi my battery tends to go to shit. The VPN usually accounts for more as I assume it keeps reconnecting.