When selecting a brand new smartphone, battery life is a vital issue to contemplate — it is typically a deal-maker or breaker for me. Whereas the most recent smartphones boast snappy efficiency and versatile cameras, solely a choose few actually excel in battery life. Sometimes, bigger telephones present the most effective battery backup, because of their larger batteries. You may’t beat physics with software program methods — at the least not but.
A lot of the smartphones on this checklist function shows measuring 6.7 inches or bigger, however there’s additionally a compact choice for individuals who desire smaller gadgets. From battery-focused Motorola telephones to the finest foldable telephones, we have included choices throughout a worth vary of $300 to $1,500, guaranteeing there’s one thing for everybody.
Additionally: The perfect Android telephones 2024: 30+ skilled examined telephones
Which smartphone is finest for battery life proper now?
At ZDNET, we have examined each flagship telephone launched this yr — and two of the most important flagships lead this checklist. The iPhone 16 Professional Max is the most effective telephone for battery life proper now, adopted by the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely at an in depth second. Each telephones provide nice cameras, shiny shows, highly effective efficiency, AI options, and a battery life that can final you a whole day on a single cost. Learn on for the remainder of our examined picks for the most effective telephones for battery life.
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The perfect telephones for battery life in 2024
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The iPhone 16 Professional Max is an enormous step up from the iPhone 15 Professional Max. Because of its new, extra environment friendly processor, the most recent iPhone mannequin does not warmth up uncomfortably when gaming or navigating. The brand new iPhone holds the cost for longer since virtually none of it’s misplaced in warmth. You may anticipate a completely charged battery to final you greater than a day and even two in average use. Furthermore, it will possibly now cost quicker on MagSafe. Apple guarantees as much as 50% cost in 35 minutes with both wired or wi-fi charging.
The iPhone 16 Professional Max is now larger than earlier than with a 6.9-inch show. Whereas the bezels have been minimized, Apple additionally has added just a few millimeters in peak to make the handset borderline unwieldy. Individuals with huge arms should not have issues, although.
Additionally: We have used each iPhone 16 mannequin and here is our greatest shopping for recommendation
That mentioned, you may’t go improper with this yr’s top-of-the-line iPhone. You get Digital camera Management that frees up the viewfinder when capturing images and movies, a wide range of new Photographic types, an upgraded ultrawide digicam, a show that may go right down to 1 nit brightness for higher legibility at the hours of darkness, Apple Intelligence-ready {hardware}, and extra.
Apple iPhone 16 Professional Max specs: Processor: Apple A18 Professional | Show: 6.9 inches | Storage choices: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Rear cameras: 48MP important, 48MP ultrawide and macro, 12MP telephoto (5x) | Entrance digicam: 12MP | Battery capability: N/A
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The Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely gives the most effective battery backup on a flagship Android telephone. In my two months utilizing the gadget, the 5,000mAh battery constantly lasted me by means of a full day. Whereas it gives what you’d anticipate from a flagship — nice cameras, wonderful show, highly effective efficiency, and lengthy software program help — it is stuffed to the brim with extras, too.
The Galaxy S24 Extremely comes with Galaxy AI that brings a slew of generative capabilities, together with real-time telephone name translations, the power to circle an object on display screen to carry out an image-based Google search, AI-assisted photograph enhancing and transcriptions, and extra.
Overview: Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely
The one-of-a-kind show is the least reflective panel on any telephone proper now. It is a pleasure to learn and browse on this display screen. Plus, you get the S Pen that turns out to be useful when it’s essential to rapidly jot down notes or signal a doc on the go.
The Galaxy S24 Extremely could be just a few months outdated, but it surely nonetheless stands tall amongst your telephone selections. And it is anticipated to face the check of time with Samsung providing seven years of software program help. It is constructed to final.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Show dimension: 6.8 inches | Storage choices: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Rear cameras: 200MP important, 12MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto (5x), 10MP telephoto (3x) | Entrance digicam: 12MP | Battery: 5,000mAh
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The OnePlus Open gives the most effective battery life on a folding telephone. It should final you longer than the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold. Additionally, the smartphone’s huge battery fees at 67W to ship as much as 75% cost in half-hour.
The OnePlus Open is without doubt one of the quickest charging telephones on the market, so in the event you’re operating low on battery and do not have a lot time accessible, the handset can top-up sufficient inside 10 minutes to get you thru the subsequent leg of your day. It strikes the best steadiness of weight-to-size ratio. When folded, the telephone is sort of as gentle as an iPhone, and when unfolded, you get a glossy pill.
Overview: OnePlus Open
Multitasking is dealt with by OnePlus’ Open Canvas function, which is the most effective multitasking expertise I’ve seen on a foldable. It is my go-to advice for a folding telephone for the worth it supplies. Certain, it is powered by the now two-year-old Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset — however at $1,200, it is an unbeatable worth.
OnePlus Open tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Show dimension: 6.3 (outer) and seven.8 inches (internal) | Storage choices: 512GB | Rear cameras: 48MP important, 48MP ultrawide, 64MP telephoto | Entrance digicam: 32MP (outer) 20MP and (internal) | Battery: 4805mAh
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The iPhone 16 Plus is rated to last as long as two hours greater than the iPhone 15 Plus, which was already nice on battery life. The iPhone 15 Plus used to final me a whole day, and you’ll anticipate the brand new Plus iPhone to get you thru the day with ease. Apple additionally has launched quicker MagSafe wi-fi charging, which is rated to cost the gadget as much as 50% inside half-hour — the identical as wired charging.
The iPhone 16 Plus is the closest a daily iPhone has been to the Professional fashions. Not like previous years, you get the identical Motion Button, Digital camera Management and Dynamic Island on the {hardware} and Apple Intelligence, 1 nit brightness, and new Photographic Kinds on the software program.
Overview: iPhone 16 Plus
If you’re coming from a earlier non-Professional iPhone, the iPhone 16 Plus is the only option as you will probably not be capable of discover the shortage of 120Hz ProMotion show. That is the telephone to get in the event you prioritize battery life and have a finances of $1,000.
Apple iPhone 16 Plus tech specs: Processor: Apple A18 | Show dimension: 6.7 inches | Storage choices: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | Rear cameras: 48MP important, 12MP ultrawide | Entrance digicam: 12MP | Battery: N/A
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It is true, this yr’s iPhones have the most effective battery life for the reason that iPhone 13. It is arduous to choose a compact telephone for good battery life however in case you are adamant about getting a 6.1-inch display screen dimension however need the most effective battery life, the iPhone 16 is for you.
Just like the iPhone 16 Plus, it borrows a whole lot of options from the costlier Professional fashions. From the brand new Digital camera Management to the trickle-down of the Motion button to the common iPhones, the bottom variant has all of it. The iPhone 16 additionally options an upgraded digicam setup with a 48MP Fusion digicam, designed to seize high-res, detailed images.
Additionally: We have used each iPhone 16 mannequin and here is our greatest shopping for recommendation
By way of efficiency, the A18 Bionic is highly effective and Apple Intelligence-ready, in contrast to the processor discovered on its predecessor. Plus, you will get lengthy software program help and new options like Photographic Kinds and Audio Combine.
Apple iPhone 16 tech specs: Processor: Apple A18 | Show dimension: 6.1 inches | Storage choices: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | Rear cameras: 48MP important, 12MP ultrawide | Entrance digicam: 12MP | Battery: N/A
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The OnePlus 12R is commonly thought of a Pixel 8a various, however I prefer it higher than the Google telephone as a result of it lasts longer and fees quicker. The finances OnePlus telephone homes a flagship processor that is environment friendly and highly effective. In my time with the OnePlus 12R earlier this yr, it constantly gave me a day’s value of battery life, with about 15% remaining at bedtime.
It is also the fastest-charging telephone on this checklist. The OnePlus 12R helps 80W quick charging, and you will have a completely charged telephone by the point you prepare for the day. I examined the one with 100W charging, which matches from 10% to 100% inside 25 minutes. The $500 telephone is powered by the identical Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor that powers the $1,200 OnePlus Open, so that you get the identical snappy efficiency.
Overview: OnePlus 12R
The OnePlus 12R’s show is the most effective you will get on this worth vary. Plus, it has a function referred to as Aqua Contact that makes it straightforward to make use of in wet situations when water droplets are on the display screen. It does not register faux faucets, like on the iPhone. If you’d like a mid-range telephone with good battery life, the OnePlus 12R is your finest guess.
OnePlus 12R tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Show dimension: 6.8 inches | Storage choices: 128GB, 256GB | Rear cameras: 50MP important, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro | Entrance digicam: 16MP | Battery: 5,500mAh
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The Moto G Energy 5G (2024) is our choose for the most effective finances telephone with a long-lasting battery backup. This battery-focused gadget can last as long as two days on average use and fees at 30W with a wired charger and 15W with a wi-fi charger.
The Moto G Energy 5G (2024) sports activities an enormous LCD, which is not as vivid as the opposite fashions on this checklist however is a lot good for day-to-day utilization. The MediaTek Dimensity 7020 SoC is highly effective and snappy sufficient for the section. It contains a 50MP main digicam that clicks good images in daylight, whereas the 8MP macro digicam is satisfactory.
Overview: Moto G Energy 5G (2024)
You should purchase the Moto G Energy 5G (2024) in case you are on a $300 finances. At the moment, it is promoting for $250, making it a fair sweeter deal.
Moto G Energy 5G (2024) specs: Show: 6.7 inches | Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7020 | Cameras: 50MP main, 8MP macro | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB | Battery: 5,000mAh
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The iPhone 16 Professional Max is our selection for the most effective battery backup on a telephone. If worth is not any impediment, you must go for Apple’s newest flagship gadget. If you’re on the Android facet, the Galaxy S24 Extremely will serve you the most effective. We’ve not included small telephones on this checklist as a result of when prioritizing battery life, you must go for an even bigger telephone for the absolute best outcomes.
| Telephone | Value | Show | Battery | Processor |
| Apple iPhone 16 Professional Max | $1,199 | 6.9 inches | N/A (Rated: 50% cost in half-hour) |
A18 Professional |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely | $1,050 | 6.7 inches | 5,000mAh | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| OnePlus Open | $1,200 | 6.3-inches and seven.8-inches | 4,805mAh | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| Apple iPhone 16 Plus | $899 | 6.7 inches | N/A (Rated: 50% cost in half-hour) |
A18 Professional |
| OnePlus 12R | $499 | 6.8 inches | 5,500mAh | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Motorola Moto G Energy 5G | $249 | 6.7 inches | 5,000mAh | Dimensity 7020 |
Should you’re prioritizing battery life, you will have to decide on an enormous telephone. Compact fashions — just like the Galaxy S24, Pixel 9, or iPhone 16 — will not final you so long as their larger counterparts. Each telephone on this checklist serves a function and listed below are the most effective causes to go for one in all these .
| Select this telephone | If you’d like… |
| Apple iPhone 16 Professional Max | The most recent and best from Apple |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely | The perfect battery life on an Android flagship |
| OnePlus Open | A foldable telephone that delivers an all-day battery life |
| Apple iPhone 16 Plus | An enormous iPhone in the event you do not wish to spend greater than $1,000 |
| Apple iPhone 16 | A compact telephone with absolute best battery life |
| OnePlus 12R | The perfect telephone underneath $500 with flagship prowess |
| Motorola Moto G Energy 5G | A battery-focused finances smartphone |
With a variety of telephones accessible out there annually, ZDNET spends at the least two weeks with every mannequin earlier than deciding whether or not or not (and the place) it belongs on this shopping for information. The {qualifications} I search for when curating the picks embody the next:
- Availability: The largest issue is availability; is what’s being chosen accessible to buy immediately from Google, an area provider, or an internet retailer? Is it in inventory? Or can it solely be bought in used or renewed situation? With the picks on this checklist, every one might be purchased new and sealed, guaranteeing that you’re going to obtain essentially the most dependable expertise from the beginning.
- Worth: Simply as vital is the worth that every telephone brings. Whereas all choices on this checklist differ in worth tiers, they every provide sufficient distinctive options, digicam capabilities, and designs that make them value paying for. If they don’t seem to be value it, they will not be on the checklist.
- Efficiency: Naturally, I solely choose fashions that yield good to wonderful efficiency, from the way in which they deal with day-to-day duties to extra intensive use circumstances like gaming and video enhancing.
- Battery: For this story particularly, I regarded on the battery capability, charging wattage, and whether or not or not the telephones final a whole day on a single cost.
Here is a breakdown of each issue we take into account earlier than we make suggestions:
- Design and ergonomics: How good a telephone seems to be and feels performs an enormous function in lots of customers’ shopping for journeys, so we take into account these elements closely when testing.
- Efficiency: A number of components have an effect on a telephone’s efficiency, together with LTE/5G sign, battery life, and background duties. Subsequently, we sometimes start our evaluations with a completely charged handset, with all background duties closed, and with as secure a cellular connection as potential.
- Digital camera high quality: ZDNET assessments telephone cameras by capturing a whole lot of images and movies of assorted topics and in varied lighting situations. We additionally examine the output to that of older fashions.
- Battery life and charging: We consider how lengthy telephones final underneath gentle, average, and heavy utilization, how lengthy they take to recharge, and the way they do it (wired, wi-fi, or each).
- Particular options: These options distinguish examined gadgets from a bustling smartphone market and hopefully convey added worth to customers, not the alternative.
- Pricing and availability: Past finances concerns, we additionally notice if a telephone is accessible within the US or solely internationally.
For an intensive rundown of our testing methodology, you’ll want to take a look at our how we check telephones article.
Wi-fi charging is a handy method to cost your telephone with out having to plug in a USB-C wire immediately into the telephone. However not all of those telephones have help for the function. The OnePlus Open and OnePlus 12R particularly do not provide wi-fi charging. However their tremendous quick wired charging makes up for it. Different telephones on the checklist — together with all of the iPhones, the Galaxy S24 Extremely, and the Moto G Energy 5G — help this function.
Should you’re open to alternate options, see under for ZDNET’s best-tested picks, together with ones from Google and different manufacturers.
Smartphones Reviewed & In contrast
