iPhone battery life beats Android competitors in tests of 32 mobile devices conducted by CNET.
For years, iPhone battery life was a frequent joke among mobile users. Android devices routinely held the advantage by packing massive batteries into larger frames. Apple models often fell short of lasting a full day without a top-up.
Improvements arrived gradually with Plus models and accelerated starting with the iPhone 13 Pro. Now, current hardware delivers a different reality across the lineup.
“[The iPhone 18 Pro Max] is the mobile with the highest autonomy of all those that have passed through the test bench,” CNET reported on its battery rankings.
Testing 32 Mobile Devices
CNET put 32 phones through identical evaluations to measure real-world endurance. Every device started each test at 100 percent capacity.
The first evaluation streams video over Wi-Fi for three hours with the display brightness at maximum. The second phase runs for 45 minutes and combines video playback, a video call, mobile gaming, and social media apps.
Five Apple devices landed inside the top ten overall spots. The iPhone 18 Pro Max claimed the single first-place position in the standings.
Top Smartphone Battery Rankings
| Rank | Model |
|---|---|
| 1st | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
| 2nd | iPhone 17 |
| 2nd | iPhone 18 Pro |
| 2nd | Motorola Razr (2026) |
| 2nd | OnePlus 15 |
| 3rd | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 |
| 4th | iPhone 17e |
| 4th | iPhone Duo |
| 4th | Motorola Razr Ultra (2026) |
| 5th | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
Four devices share the second-place ranking alongside each other. Those models include the iPhone 17, the iPhone 18 Pro, the Motorola Razr (2026), and the OnePlus 15.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 secured the third position in the test results. A fourth-place tie connects the iPhone 17e, the iPhone Duo, and the Motorola Razr Ultra (2026).
Apple captured the top spot in average results by brand for the second year. OnePlus finished right behind in second place.
Hardware Upgrades and System Updates Drive Leading Scores
Hardware upgrades and system updates drove the leading scores. The top-performing iPhone 18 Pro Max benefits from a physical capacity increase over the previous generation.
The A20 Pro chip provides core efficiency gains during heavy tasks. Apple paired that silicon with optimizations built directly into iOS 27.
The slim Apple iPhone Air secured a seventh-place tie despite its thin profile. That result matches the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL in endurance.
Silicon Carbon Battery Shift
Rival manufacturers are experimenting with alternative chemical compositions that Apple has not yet adopted. Motorola and Samsung introduced silicon-carbon batteries in select 2026 releases.
These cells pack higher energy density into smaller physical spaces without expanding device thickness. Industry watchers expect wider adoption of silicon-carbon technology across flagship lines starting in 2027.
“We expect to see more manufacturers with this technology from 2027 onwards,” CNET noted regarding the emerging battery format.
How CNET Tested Smartphone Battery Performance
How many total smartphones did CNET test in its evaluation?
The publication measured the battery performance of 32 different mobile phones.
Which devices share second place in the rankings?
The iPhone 17, iPhone 18 Pro, Motorola Razr (2026), and OnePlus 15 share the second-place ranking.
What specific tests measure the battery life?
Each phone undergoes a three-hour Wi-Fi video streaming test at maximum brightness followed by a 45-minute mixed-use test involving video calls, gaming, and social media.