Battery life remains one of the most important criteria when evaluating modern smartphones. A new, comprehensive comparison test now shows just how significantly current devices differ in this respect. The focus is particularly on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which comes out on top in a direct comparison with numerous Android smartphones, achieving the longest battery life.
The results come from a large-scale battery test conducted by CNET. The tests were based on data collected throughout 2025 and included 35 smartphones officially sold in the US. The goal was to determine, under realistic and comparable conditions, which devices and manufacturers offer the best battery life.
iPhone 17 Pro Max with the best battery life
In the overall results, the iPhone 17 Pro Max took first place, making it the smartphone with the longest battery life in the test. It's noteworthy that the device doesn't have the largest battery among the tested models. Its battery capacity is 5,088 mAh, which is less than that of some Android competitors.
Nevertheless, it was enough for the top spot. According to CNET, this is primarily due to the high efficiency of Apple's chips and software optimization. The interplay between hardware and operating system ensures that energy is used particularly sparingly.
Rankings of the other top models
The iPhone 17 and the OnePlus 15 shared second place. The iPhone 17 achieved this position despite having the smallest battery capacity among the most powerful smartphones in the test.
The Poco F7 Ultra came in third place. The iPhone 17 Pro followed directly behind in fourth. This meant that several Apple models were represented in the top ranks, underlining the strong overall impression of the brand.
Test methodology: Two standardized benchmarks
To achieve realistic but comparable results, CNET used two standardized battery tests. The goal was to minimize everyday fluctuations and test the devices under identical conditions.
The first test consisted of three hours of video streaming over Wi-Fi at maximum display brightness. The second test was a 45-minute battery life benchmark that combined various typical usage scenarios. These included gaming, video streaming, scrolling through social networks, and a video call.
The results of both tests were then averaged and formed the basis for the final ranking.
Endurance benchmark confirms the results
In the pure battery life test, the iPhone 17 Pro Max once again took first place. It was followed by the iPhone 17, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 16e.
CNET also noted that other devices in this particular test delivered solid performances. These included Google's Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro Fold, as well as Motorola's Razr. However, they didn't reach the top scores of the Apple devices.
Brand comparison: Apple is ahead overall
In addition to individual devices, CNET also compared the battery life of entire smartphone brands. Only manufacturers from whom at least three models were tested were included in this ranking.
Apple took first place here, achieving the best average battery life. OnePlus followed in second place. Motorola and Samsung landed in third and fourth place, while Google came in fifth. The brand comparison shows that Apple's strength in battery life isn't limited to individual models.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max sets the standard for battery life
The comprehensive battery test clearly shows that the iPhone 17 Pro Max currently sets the benchmark for battery life. Despite a battery capacity that isn't above average compared to other devices, it achieves the best results thanks to efficient chips and optimized software. At the same time, the comparison confirms that Apple is among the strongest providers in this area overall. The results clearly demonstrate that battery life today depends less on battery size alone than on the interplay between hardware and software. (Image: Shutterstock / Primestock Photography)
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