The iPhone 18 Pro Max placed first overall in a battery comparison of 32 smartphones, finishing ahead of other iPhones and several higher‑priced competitors.
Why the iPhone 18 Pro Max led the tests
The comparison used two tests totaling three hours and 45 minutes: three hours of video streaming over Wi‑Fi at maximum screen brightness, and a 45‑minute mixed session combining video playback, video calls, gaming and social media. Each phone started at 100% charge and the publication averaged the remaining percentages from both tests to determine overall rankings. The iPhone 18 Pro Max’s lead was credited to a larger battery capacity versus the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the efficiency of the A20 Pro chip and optimizations in iOS 27.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max and Apple’s first foldable, the iPhone Duo, tied for first place in the mixed‑use test, each finishing with 99% remaining. Google’s Pixel 11 Pro XL retained 97% in that same mixed test, improving on the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s 93% result. In the three‑hour video streaming test the smaller iPhone 18 Pro performed best, retaining 94% of its charge.
The iPhone 17 also performed well across both benchmarks, as did Motorola’s Razr and Razr Ultra models. Despite sharing top marks in the mixed test, the $1,999 iPhone Duo tied for fourth overall in the combined ranking; its overall result matched the $699 iPhone 17e and the $1,400 Motorola Razr Ultra, placing the less expensive iPhone alongside two much costlier foldables.
Manufacturer averages and value picks
Apple led the comparison of average results by manufacturer for the second consecutive year; only brands represented by multiple tested models were included, and OnePlus finished second. The broader findings showed little year‑over‑year change: phones tested in 2026 had approximately the same average battery performance as those tested in 2025 and 2024. The publication noted that larger batteries do not automatically deliver longer real‑world use, since displays, processors and other features also affect power consumption.
Among better‑value options for battery endurance, the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17e were highlighted. Outside Apple, Motorola’s $500 Moto G Stylus and $600 Motorola Edge both made the overall top 10.
