Overview
CNET recently completed a two‑part battery‑life test on 35 flagship and mid‑range smartphones. The results place Apple’s iPhone 17 series at the top of the leaderboard, underscoring the impact of software optimization over sheer battery capacity.
Test Methodology
Two distinct scenarios were measured:
- **Video‑stream test** – 3 hours of continuous video playback over Wi‑Fi with the display at full brightness.
- **Endurance test** – 45 minutes of mixed usage (gaming, video streaming, video calls, and scrolling social feeds).
All devices were reset to factory settings and run on the latest OS versions available at the time of testing.
Results
The top‑ranking phones were:
- 1️⃣ iPhone 17 Pro Max – best performance in both tests.
- 2️⃣ iPhone 17 (base) and OnePlus 15 – tied for second place despite the iPhone’s 49.4 % smaller battery.
- 4️⃣ iPhone 17 Pro – placed fourth, behind the Poco F7 Ultra (5,600 mAh).
These rankings highlight that Apple’s iOS power‑management delivers superior real‑world endurance even with a smaller physical battery.
Implications for Consumers
Surveys consistently rank battery life as the most valued smartphone attribute. Apple’s lead suggests that software efficiency can outweigh raw capacity, a factor buyers should consider when evaluating specs.
Future Battery Technologies
Apple appears to be holding off on adopting silicon‑carbon (Si/C) batteries, which promise higher capacity but may suffer faster degradation. Samsung, however, is testing bespoke Si/C cells with capacities between 6,000 mAh and 8,000 mAh, hinting at possible future shifts in the market.