I Evaluated Ten Top-Tier Smartphones. This Device Particularly Stands Out in Battery Performance
In the realm of elite smartphones, three essential factors stand out – the display, camera, and battery life. And when it comes to the latter, there's no room for compromise as every user craves a device that stays charged all day long. Given the multitude of batteries and usage patterns, it's crucial to understand the technology beneath each smartphone's hood.
The smartphone industry has been relying on lithium-ion batteries for almost three decades. However, Silicon Carbon technology is set to revolutionize phones with higher energy density, faster charging capabilities, and potentially a longer lifespan. This breakthrough appeals to the best thin phones, as it allows manufacturers to house larger batteries without sacrificing size.
The Honor Magic V5 Pro was the first smartphone to incorporate Silicon Carbon technology two years ago, followed by Asian phone makers. Trailblazers like Samsung, Apple, and Google have still yet to join the party, but OnePlus recently took the leap with the OnePlus 13 in January.
To identify the phones that provide the best battery life and charging efficiency, I've tested over 50 smartphones, both foldable and traditional, over the past year. Here's a list of the top contenders:
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
- Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
- OnePlus 13
- Motorola Razr 60 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
- Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
- Oppo Find N5
Now, let's dive into the results. I've separated the competition into two categories – candybar phones and folding phones.
Candybar Phones
First, let's scrutinize the browsing and social media test results.
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
- Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
- OnePlus 13
- Motorola Razr 60 Ultra
The Motorola Razr 60 Ultra delivers an unexpected victory, outshining the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which previously set a record following the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Both devices offer remarkable battery life beyond what their capacity suggests, unlike the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which is underperforming given its capacity.
Moving on to the video playback test, a more strenuous evaluation, the OnePlus 13 continues to thrive, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max meets expectations as Apple's software and hardware integration prove to be magical for endurance. The Galaxy S25 Edge defies gravity given its small battery size, managing to rank 5th.
In the gaming test, the Galaxy S25 Ultra shocks me with its strong performance, thanks to Samsung's Game Booster and processor optimizations. The iPhone proves to be an endurance champion yet again, while the Find N5, Razr 60 Ultra, and folding phones continue to show promise.
Folding Phones
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
- Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
- Oppo Find N5
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 predictably comes last due to performance limitations, but I'm curious about Samsung’s plans for the Z Flip 7. The Z Fold 6, Galaxy S25 Edge, and chipset-mate OnePlus 13 deliver mixed results, leaving room for improvements in future models.
For now, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra stands out among the best battery life champions for its efficiency, endurance, and charging capabilities. The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max offers exceptional battery life and software efficiency, but improvements in charging speeds would put it on par with the leaders.
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Enrichment Data:
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra dominates the battery life and charging technology market in 2023. It provides impressive endurance for both gaming and daily performance, thanks to power efficiency boosted by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, which significantly extends battery life compared to the S24 Ultra and competitors. Although the Galaxy S25 Ultra retains similar fast charging speeds to the S24 Ultra, it features improved power efficiency and added Qi2 wireless charging support (90W without magnets), providing enhanced charging stability when paired with a compatible case.
Comparative Battery Life Data for Candybar Phones:
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Great all-round battery efficiency. Impressive gaming, daily use, and web surfing times.
- OnePlus 13: Stands out in video playback thanks to a larger battery and optimized software. Impressive gaming, but slightly behind Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra.
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: Exceptional battery life, particularly in video playback and efficiency despite a smaller battery compared to competitors.
- Motorola Razr 60 Ultra: Capable battery life but struggles in gaming and intensive use compared to the top contenders.
- Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Provides good overall battery life but falls behind the top contenders in gaming scenarios.
Comparative Battery Life Data for Folding Phones:
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Offers reasonable battery life with the follow-up form factor to the Galaxy Z Fold 5 (4,400 mAh battery).
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: Sacrifices battery life for a slimmer design (3,700 mAh battery).
- Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Features a reasonable battery life, but its unfamiliar folding form factor may lead to user differentiation and preferences.
- Oppo Find N5: Offers a book-style folding form factor with a slightly shorter battery life compared to the S25 Ultra.
Charging Technology:
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Fast wired charging, plus nominal Qi2 wireless charging support (without magnets on the back, which limits the full benefit of Qi2, unless using a Qi2-ready case).
- OnePlus 13: Known for very fast wired charging, though the specific charging speed isn't detailed in recent sources.
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: Provides MagSafe wireless charging, which is optimized for convenience and integration, but generally slower than some proprietary fast chargers on Android devices.
- Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra: Offers a balanced approach with efficient wired charging, Qi2 wireless, and improved power efficiency from its advanced chipset, making it the overall winner in battery life endurance and charging technology.
In the comparison of candybar phones, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra stands out for its impressive battery life and efficiency during gaming, daily performance, and web surfing. This dominance is attributed to the power efficiency boosted by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, providing extended battery life compared to its predecessor and competitors.
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max also showcases impressive battery life, particularly in video playback, despite having a smaller battery compared to competitors. However, improvements in charging speeds would further elevate it to compete with the leaders in the market.
