Looking for the longest-lasting flagship phone? Recent battery drain tests reveal surprising leaders in the smartphone power endurance race. Here’s a breakdown of which devices shine when it comes to battery life.
Battery Size vs. Optimization
Don’t assume bigger batteries automatically mean longer life. While capacity matters, software and task efficiency play a huge role.
Battery Specs Compared:
- Larger Batteries (Around 5,000 mAh): Pixel 10, Xiaomi 15
- Smaller Batteries (3,600 mAh – 4,000 mAh): iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, Galaxy S25
Software’s Secret Sauce
How your phone manages power in the background is critical to battery performance.
OS Power Efficiency:
- Pixel 10/10 Pro (Android 16): Adaptive battery management learns your usage patterns.
- iPhone 17/17 Pro (iOS 26): Aggressive background task optimization.
- Galaxy S25 (OneUI 8): Aims for balance but lags in optimization.
Real-World Battery Drain Testing
Smartphones were put through rigorous tests to mimic daily use.
Testing Scenarios:
- Video Streaming: YouTube (light and heavy use)
- 4K Video Recording: At 30fps
- Graphics Rendering: WebGL Aquarium benchmark
- Video Conferencing: Google Meet sessions
- Standby Time: Idle with background tasks
And the Winner Is…
The phone with the best overall battery life.
Battery Life Results:
The Pixel 10 took the crown, lasting an impressive 8 hours and 11 minutes. The iPhone 17 Pro followed closely with 8 hours and 6 minutes, and the Xiaomi 15 came in third at 7 hours and 58 minutes. The Galaxy S25 trailed, with 7 hours and 25 minutes of use.
Key Battery Life Influencers
Here’s what impacts your smartphone’s battery the most.
- Task Intensity: 4K recording is power-hungry.
- Optimization is Key: Software can make or break battery life.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi is gentler than cellular.
- Environment: Brightness and temperature matter.