Smartphones are constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation. But no matter how advanced they become, there's always something we want a lot more of: battery power.
The life cycle of a single battery charge can make or break the user experience. Just ask those early iPhone buyers!
So which smartphone brand has the most superior batteries, and which ones have users in constant fear of leaving their chargers at home?
These are the questions that researchers from Electronics Hub decided to answer in their latest piece of research. After analysing all the information on milliamp-hours (or mAh) at Phonesdata.com, they were able to rank the world's best and worst smartphone models based on their battery life.
Here's a look at the results
Apple's most recent release, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, is the most powerful version of this iconic smartphone. It's a seriously impressive piece of tech packed with features and upgrades, including a new camera that's the equivalent of seven pro lenses with incredible image quality.
And (for once) this iPhone also has some serious staying power. With 4,442 mAh of battery life, this iPhone 15 Pro Max can run at total capacity for over 14 hours.
This extended battery life signals how far the iPhone has come in the last three years. Because if you'd bought an iPhone SE2 back in 2020, you might remember that you couldn't go very far without making sure you had a charger packed. The SE2 ran out of steam in less than 9 hours.
It's news that would have put a massive smile on the face of the late Apple founder, Steve Jobs. To say that the tech visionary had 'beef' with the Galaxy is something of an understatement. According to biographers and close friends, Jobs hated Android and was quoted dropping this bombshell: "I will spend my last dying breath if I need to, and I will spend every penny of Apple's $40 billion in the bank, to right this wrong. I'm going to destroy Android because it's a stolen product. I'm willing to go thermonuclear war on this."
But while Samsung has lost the top spot in terms of sales, it still dominates the iPhone when it comes to battery life. The 2020 Galaxy M51 boasts an impressive 7,000 mAh battery capacity. That keeps it running for over three days on a single full charge. No wonder some users called it the perfect festival and holiday phone.
Recent models like the F14 and F34 have a little less juice. Still, with 6,000 mAh in the tank, both can run twice as long as the iPhone and other models.
Beyond Western markets, there are several major smartphone developers and players, including Chinese designer and manufacturer Xiaomi.
In China and neighbouring countries, Xiaomi smartphones are celebrated for delivering innovation and value. They feature customised MIUI Android software and are well-known for pioneering trends, like bezel-less displays and high-resolution cameras.
But how's the battery life? The simple answer is impressive.
Since 2020, Xiaomi has been releasing model after model with a bare minimum of 5,500 mAh.
The brand's most powerful model, the Redmi 10, can run uninterrupted for over 16 hours. And Xiaomi's worst phone in terms of staying power, the 2018 Redmi 6A, still has almost as much mAh (3,000) as some of the iPhone's most powerful batteries.
The winner was the Chinese firm Ulefone. The company has put out 26 different models in the past few years, with over 92% having battery life capacities of 5,000 mAh or higher.
Another Chinese company, Doogee, takes the second spot, followed by Blackview and UMiDIGI.
At the other end of the scale, Apple emerged as the smartphone maker that delivered the least amount of battery power. Its median battery power averages out at a lowly 3,187 mAh.
However, the demand for power-hungry features like larger screens and 5G connectivity can offset these gains. Moreover, some manufacturers prioritise slim designs and features over battery capacity, and style-conscious consumers seem happy to trade off battery power for a sleek, aesthetic design. So while battery technology has advanced, the overall experience and life cycle of a single charge continues to vary among different smartphone models and manufacturers.
1. Adjust Screen Brightness.
2. Set a Shorter Screen Timeout.
3. Disable Unused Features (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS).
4. Close Background Apps.
5. Use Fetch Email Instead of Push.
6. Reduce Push Notifications.
7. Enable Dark Mode (for OLED/AMOLED screens).
8. Remove Unnecessary Widgets and Live Wallpapers.
9. Optimise Location Services.
10. Limit Background Data Usage.
Implementing these tips won't make your smartphone run for days on end. But even if you've got an iPhone, you can maximize your smartphone's battery life and keep the juice flowing for a little longer. Or at least until you find someone with a charger.
Read next: The Need-to-Know About Consumer Rights And Fine Print
The life cycle of a single battery charge can make or break the user experience. Just ask those early iPhone buyers!
So which smartphone brand has the most superior batteries, and which ones have users in constant fear of leaving their chargers at home?
These are the questions that researchers from Electronics Hub decided to answer in their latest piece of research. After analysing all the information on milliamp-hours (or mAh) at Phonesdata.com, they were able to rank the world's best and worst smartphone models based on their battery life.
Here's a look at the results
Battery life of the iPhone
The iPhone is arguably the most innovative tech of the 21st century. It forever changed the ways we live, work, communicate, and entertain ourselves. For many Apple enthusiasts, their iPhone isn't simply a device or tool; it's an extension of who they are.
Apple's most recent release, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, is the most powerful version of this iconic smartphone. It's a seriously impressive piece of tech packed with features and upgrades, including a new camera that's the equivalent of seven pro lenses with incredible image quality.
And (for once) this iPhone also has some serious staying power. With 4,442 mAh of battery life, this iPhone 15 Pro Max can run at total capacity for over 14 hours.
This extended battery life signals how far the iPhone has come in the last three years. Because if you'd bought an iPhone SE2 back in 2020, you might remember that you couldn't go very far without making sure you had a charger packed. The SE2 ran out of steam in less than 9 hours.
The Staying Power of Samsung
Research shows that 2023 is turning into the year when iPhone sales finally overtake the Samsung Galaxy Android.
It's news that would have put a massive smile on the face of the late Apple founder, Steve Jobs. To say that the tech visionary had 'beef' with the Galaxy is something of an understatement. According to biographers and close friends, Jobs hated Android and was quoted dropping this bombshell: "I will spend my last dying breath if I need to, and I will spend every penny of Apple's $40 billion in the bank, to right this wrong. I'm going to destroy Android because it's a stolen product. I'm willing to go thermonuclear war on this."
But while Samsung has lost the top spot in terms of sales, it still dominates the iPhone when it comes to battery life. The 2020 Galaxy M51 boasts an impressive 7,000 mAh battery capacity. That keeps it running for over three days on a single full charge. No wonder some users called it the perfect festival and holiday phone.
Recent models like the F14 and F34 have a little less juice. Still, with 6,000 mAh in the tank, both can run twice as long as the iPhone and other models.
Xiaomi Battery Power
It might come as a surprise to some people, but Samsung and Apple aren't the only two companies in the world that produce quality smartphones.Beyond Western markets, there are several major smartphone developers and players, including Chinese designer and manufacturer Xiaomi.
In China and neighbouring countries, Xiaomi smartphones are celebrated for delivering innovation and value. They feature customised MIUI Android software and are well-known for pioneering trends, like bezel-less displays and high-resolution cameras.
But how's the battery life? The simple answer is impressive.
Since 2020, Xiaomi has been releasing model after model with a bare minimum of 5,500 mAh.
The brand's most powerful model, the Redmi 10, can run uninterrupted for over 16 hours. And Xiaomi's worst phone in terms of staying power, the 2018 Redmi 6A, still has almost as much mAh (3,000) as some of the iPhone's most powerful batteries.
Average Smartphone Battery Lives
Electronics Hub researchers also looked at the median average battery life for the biggest smartphone brands.The winner was the Chinese firm Ulefone. The company has put out 26 different models in the past few years, with over 92% having battery life capacities of 5,000 mAh or higher.
Another Chinese company, Doogee, takes the second spot, followed by Blackview and UMiDIGI.
At the other end of the scale, Apple emerged as the smartphone maker that delivered the least amount of battery power. Its median battery power averages out at a lowly 3,187 mAh.
Are Smartphone Batteries Getting More or Less Powerful?
Smartphone batteries have seen both improvements and challenges over the last few years. Advances in battery technology have led to more efficient and higher-capacity batteries, offering longer usage between charges.
However, the demand for power-hungry features like larger screens and 5G connectivity can offset these gains. Moreover, some manufacturers prioritise slim designs and features over battery capacity, and style-conscious consumers seem happy to trade off battery power for a sleek, aesthetic design. So while battery technology has advanced, the overall experience and life cycle of a single charge continues to vary among different smartphone models and manufacturers.
How to Make a Smartphone Battery Last Longer
Looking to make your battery last a little bit longer? Then follow these top tips:1. Adjust Screen Brightness.
2. Set a Shorter Screen Timeout.
3. Disable Unused Features (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS).
4. Close Background Apps.
5. Use Fetch Email Instead of Push.
6. Reduce Push Notifications.
7. Enable Dark Mode (for OLED/AMOLED screens).
8. Remove Unnecessary Widgets and Live Wallpapers.
9. Optimise Location Services.
10. Limit Background Data Usage.
Implementing these tips won't make your smartphone run for days on end. But even if you've got an iPhone, you can maximize your smartphone's battery life and keep the juice flowing for a little longer. Or at least until you find someone with a charger.
Read next: The Need-to-Know About Consumer Rights And Fine Print
