In the ever-evolving and changing world of smartphones, there is one factor that has stayed the same over the years—battery life concerns. Whether you’re an avid gamer, love to stream videos, or require a phone for business, the last thing you want is your battery life dying on you in the middle of the day.
While you can always recharge a phone, this isn’t always convenient, and there are some industries where it may not be possible. So, having a phone with a large-sized battery that can last hours at a time is ideal.
In this article, we’ll be comparing smartphone battery life between the two smartphone manufacturer giants. We’ll compare Samsung vs iPhone battery life to see which lasts longer.
The test will also compare charging times so you can be informed when you go shopping for your next smartphone. This article will also explore whether refurbished phones are viable if you want a long-lasting battery.
Battery Life Comparison
The answer to a phone’s battery life isn’t as simple as the battery size. While a larger battery capacity, measured in mAh (milliampere-hour), can give you an idea of how long a battery will last, other factors also play a role, including:
- The efficiency of the phone’s chipset. An optimised processor can make a massive difference in how long a phone’s battery lasts.
- Software optimisation and the operating system also play a role in battery life. Poorly optimised software or bugs can lead to excessive battery drain.
- A device’s display also has a huge impact on battery life. For example, phones with larger and brighter displays with high refresh rates will take more power to run than smaller phones with lower refresh rates.
Based on these factors, it is hard to crown a clear winner between Apple and Samsung. Below, we’ve made a Samsung vs iPhone comparison table so you can get a clear overview of how the manufacturer’s different models stack up against their counterparts. We’ve only compared the latest generation of devices from each manufacturer.
|
iPhone Model: |
Average Battery Life (hours) |
Samsung Galaxy Model: |
Average Battery Life (hours) |
|
iPhone 16 (Base) |
12 Hours and 43 Minutes |
Galaxy S24 FE |
11-12 Hours |
|
iPhone 16 Plus |
16 Hours and 29 Minutes |
Galaxy S24 (Base) |
13 Hours and 28 Minutes |
|
iPhone 16 Pro |
14 Hours and 7 Minutes |
Galaxy S24 Plus |
16 Hours and 46 Minutes |
|
iPhone 16 Pro Max |
17 Hours and 17 Minutes |
Galaxy S24 Ultra |
16 Hours and 45 Minutes |
*Data is from Tom’s Guide battery test averages.
As you can see in the results above, for most models, Apple provides better battery life, but the results are close. The S24 Plus gives its counterparts, the 16 Plus and Pro Max models, a run for its money.
The S24 base model also provides better battery life than the iPhone base model but falls short compared to Apple’s upgraded and high-end models. If you can’t decide between an Apple or Samsung device because of the battery life, you can’t go wrong with either. Both offer excellent battery life that should last all day under normal use.
Charging Time Comparison
Capacity is not the only aspect of smartphone batteries that has been improving over the years. Manufacturers have also started focusing on enhancing charging times, providing features like fast charging so users can charge their devices to full as fast as possible.
Below, we’ve made a comparison table of the charging times for the latest Samsung Galaxy and iPhone devices based on data from PhoneArena.
|
iPhone Model: |
Average Charging Time (Wired) |
Samsung Galaxy Model: |
Average Charging Time (Wired) |
|
iPhone 16 (Base) |
1 hour and 42 minutes |
Galaxy S24 FE |
1 hour and 10 minutes |
|
iPhone 16 Plus |
1 hour and 32 minutes |
Galaxy S24 (Base) |
1 hour and 12 minutes |
|
iPhone 16 Pro |
1 hour and 34 minutes |
Galaxy S24 Plus |
1 hour and 9 minutes |
|
iPhone 16 Pro Max |
1 hour and 42 minutes |
Galaxy S24 Ultra |
1 hour and 9 minutes |
Best Phones For Battery Life
Below, we’ve outlined a few of the best phones for battery life based on tests conducted by the tech media outlet Tom’s Guide. Surprisingly, the best phone for battery life isn’t Samsung or Apple.
-
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro
Asus has been setting the standard for battery life in smartphones over the past few years, and their latest entry, the 9 Pro, is no different. The phone averaged an impressive 20 hours and 34 minutes during battery life tests.
This is due to the phone’s optimised Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and massive 5800 mAh battery. The phone is ideal if you want a powerhouse that can handle intensive tasks, like heavy 3D gaming for long sessions.
-
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
The ROG Phone 9 Pro’s predecessor, the Phone 8 Pro, is ranked second in the tests conducted by Tom’s Guide. The device lasted an impressive 18 hours and 48 minutes, falling slightly short of its successor.
-
OnePlus 12R
The OnePlus 12R is not only a midrange phone, but it’s the longest-lasting phone that wasn’t designed specifically for gaming, like Asus’s ROG phone line. It’s also the only other phone to manage over 18 hours in the battery life tests.
If you’re looking for a more affordable, budget-friendly phone that can last an entire day—it’s a great choice. Whilst its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 may be an older chip, it can still handle intensive tasks and heavy gaming.
-
iPhone 16 Pro Max
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is Apple’s best device for battery life. Testing shows it is the longest-lasting phone the manufacturer has ever offered. If battery life is a key factor for you and you’re part of the Apple ecosystem, the 16 Pro Max is the ideal device.
-
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Similarly to Apple’s latest, high-end device offering the best battery life, Samsung follows suit with its new Galaxy S24 Ultra model. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is the longest-lasting Samsung flagship, lasting almost 17 hours in the tests conducted by Tom’s Guide. This is because the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers exceptional efficiency despite Samsung keeping the same size at 5,000 mAh.
-
iPhone 16 Plus
Before the iPhone 16 Pro Max was considered the best Apple device for battery life, the title belonged to the iPhone 15 Plus. Whilst the 16 Plus didn’t keep on the tradition, it still offers incredible battery life, a huge boost over its predecessor.
The iPhone 16 Plus lasts 16 hours and 29 minutes, which is over 2 hours more battery life than the previous generation’s 15 Plus. The 16 Plus is a great alternative to the 16 Pro Max if you want a more affordable Apple device with a long-lasting battery and fast charging.
-
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus lasts about an hour less than its pricier and slightly larger sibling, the S24 Ultra. However, reports show that if you turn off the ‘Adaptive Refresh Rate’ setting, it can provide battery life that rivals the Ultra model.
This list is in order from highest to lowest. However, it’s important to note that each device offers exceptional battery life. The tests conducted also only measure battery life when browsing the web. A phone might be better optimised at other tasks than others, leading to better battery life (e.g., gaming).
The results from Tom’s Guide were the average outcomes when testing the phones using their default settings (e.g., for display refresh rate). Some of these phones might have different default refresh rates or resolutions, which can influence battery life.
Do Refurbished Phones Have Good Batteries
A refurbished phone from a trustworthy seller should have batteries just as good as their new counterparts. A reputable seller should test a phone’s battery before selling it to ensure battery health is at least 80% or over of its original capacity.
Battery health refers to the condition of a smartphone’s battery. Batteries are made to degrade over time, but after the health drops below 80%, the impact on battery life begins to become noticeable.
Most reputable refurbished phone sellers will offer a “battery life guarantee” so customers get the peace of mind that the battery’s performance and life should be close to buying it brand new. If it isn’t, the seller will replace it with a new battery during the phone's refurbishing process.
So, yes—refurbished phones should have good batteries. There is always the possibility of a phone battery failing, but that same risk exists for brand-new phones. We always recommend going with a reputable seller offering a warranty to protect you if the battery fails and dies prematurely or acts abnormally.
Shop Refurbished Phones At OzMobiles
For refurbished phones that come with a battery life guarantee, check out the wide selection of devices at OzMobiles. Our range includes refurbished iPhones, including the latest 16 series, and Samsung’s Galaxy flagship phones.
All the phones at OzMobiles go through an extensive refurbishment process to ensure the device is fully functional and running optimally. This includes checking the condition of the battery. If the battery health is below 80%, we replace it with a new, genuine battery.
The refurbished devices we sell also come with a free 12-month warranty and a 30-day risk-free return period. If you have questions regarding our refurbishment process or need help finding the right phone, contact us today.
