In a new smartphone endurance test, iPhones delivered the longest battery lives, giving Apple users plenty to brag about.
The test put dozens of handsets from all the major brands — Samsung, Google and Apple — through a grueling pair of tests. A new iPhone was the clear winner, and four more Apple models came out near the top of the rankings.
iPhone battery life leaves Android rivals running on empty
Screen size, performance and looks are all important in a phone, but battery life might be the single most critical factor. A phone that runs out of power before the day is over leaves its user out of touch, unable to get directions, take photographs and more.
To get a phone with the best battery life, you need to head to the Apple Store, according to data on 28 models collected in testing by Cnet.
“Each phone was put through a 3-hour streaming video test and a 45-minute anecdotal stress test, both with the battery at 100%,” writes Cnet‘s Patrick Holland. “The results show the remaining battery percentage – the higher, the better. We averaged the results to determine our rankings.”
The standout winner? iPhone 18 Pro Max. Its battery was still at 99% after the 45-minute stress test, and at 92% after the 3-hour streaming test.
Apple’s A20 Pro chip and iOS 27 deserve much of the credit. The tight integration between Apple’s hardware and software helps the iPhone deliver excellent battery life without needing the enormous batteries found in some competing Android handsets.
More top Apple models
The Apple iPhone 17 ranked second in the comparison. This model’s battery was at 98% after the stress test and at 89% after the streaming test.
Cnet says the Apple iPhone 18 Pro tied for second place. The stress test pushed its battery down to 93%, while it was at 94% in the streaming test. This model got the best score of any model in that 3-hour streaming video test.
It’s worth noting that the new iPhone Duo also still had a battery level of 99% after the 45-minute stress test. It had just 84% after the streaming test, though.
The iPhone 17e also came in near the top of Cnet‘s battery life competition. Its scores were 97% and 86%, respectively.
Standout Androids
The best-performing Android model was the Motorola Razr (2026) — it also tied for second in the overall competition. Its battery was at 96% after the stress test and at 91% after the streaming test. The OnePlus 15 did just about as well, with scores of 97% and 90%, respectively.
And then there’s the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. Its battery was at 93% after the stress test and 86% after the streaming test.
Apple also wins the brand competition
Apple’s success wasn’t limited to individual iPhone models. When Cnet averaged the results across manufacturers with at least three tested phones, Apple came out on top.
“This is the second year in a row that the iPhone lineup has performed better in our battery life tests than other brands,” noted Holland.
OnePlus finished second, followed by Motorola, Samsung and Google.
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 26 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh SE/30 (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer.
That’s because he’s a “tablet first” type of guy. Rather than use a Macbook, he connects a keyboard case to the iPad. And instead of a desktop Mac, he connects his tablet to a 27-inch display and full-size keyboard. (So don’t try to tell him that everyone has to use a Mac to be productive.)
Before coming to Cult of Mac, Ed wrote for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
