Install a well-built ROM like PureNexus, DU, Chroma, etc.

Most of the CM based R

OMs with a ton of features have lag and/or battery life issues.
Use a good stable kernel. I prefer Racer Kernel. Its based on Jolla. It has MSM
and Bricked hotplug support that allows some awesome battery saving settings.
Go through your device settings, disable NFC if you don't use it often, as well
as vibration and Daydream.
In Wifi-Advanced, disable keep WiFi on while asleep.
In build.prop adjust WiFi scan frequency to 300 sec. disable Email autosync and
just sync when you want to check it.
Disable sweep/double tap to wake if enabled.
I also recommend using "Power Toggles" widget to enable/disable WiFi, data, GPS,
location, etc.
When going to sleep or not using device, disable all. You will still receive cal
ls and texts.
Refrain from using Google Now launcher. The OK Google feature seems to drain bat
tery a bit faster, butbhas improved since 7.0
Use an app that allows access to advanced permissions if possible such as App Op
s or PrivacyGuard. Most ROMs will have this available under privacy or security
settings. Disable keep awake and start on boot permissions for apps that are non
-essential and don't need to do those things. Don't disable this on Google syste
m apps. It may be OK to disable "Keep awake" on these.
Disable GPS when not being used. You can also use an app that will automatically
disable data when device is put to sleep, or change it from LTE to 2G to use le
ss battery. You will still get calls and texts.
Use an app like Greenify, Purify, PowerNap, etc to make sure that unnecessary ap
ps stay dormant while device is sleeping (I prefer Greenify)
You can adjust the kernel settings to suit your personal device use. Many people
use their device for everyday things like checking email, texting, calls, web b
rowsing, listening to music, youtube, etc.
In this case, I recommend using Kernel Adiutor Mod (not regular KA from the play
store)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/kernel-adiutor-mod-singularit
y-kernel-t3333549
With a lean setup, good AOSP ROM and good kernel, you can scale back the setting
s quite a bit without losing much performance.
CPU section
I currently have big cluster set to interactive and stock settings and LITTLE cl
usters set to conservative (85 up/30 down). Leave touchboost enabled.Set Boost o
n Core1 to 960mhz
If you are having any issues with lag, set interactive for the 4 little cores (d
efault config)
You can scale back the max frequency on the big cluster to 1689mhz-1800 mhz to a
void overclock setting.
Hotplug
If available, set Bricked hotplug (or MSM hotplug if using a kernel other than R
acer).
set max screen off cores to 1 (set to two if you listen to musoc with screen off

)
Set maximum cores online to 5.
Set minimum cores online to 1
GPU
Set max GPU speed to 450MHz unless you are gaming, in which this entire setuo do
esnt really apply to you.
Thermal
If available, enable Z-RAM. Jolla allows LZ4 compression, which is optimal.
Disable FSync. Set read-ahead to 512-1024k
Set Vibrate to 15% to reduce vibrate motor usage.
Go to keyboard and sound settings to disable vibrate on keypress.