After 120 Hours of Testing, This Phone Had the Longest-Lasting Battery Life
We benchmarked the battery life on nearly three dozen smartphones from companies like Apple, Samsung, Motorola and Google.
After conducting 120 hours of battery life testing in 2026, CNET has determined that the iPhone 18 Pro Max leads the pack with the longest-lasting battery life. Apple's latest flagship phone boasts a larger battery compared to the 2025 iPhone 17 Pro Max, enhanced by iOS 27 optimizations and the efficient Apple A20 Pro chip. This combination allows the iPhone 18 Pro Max to outperform all tested phones from 2026, as well as models from the past two years.
While larger battery capacity does not always equate to longer-lasting battery life, CNET's findings indicate that the iPhone 18 Pro Max benefits from a unique combination of factors. These include efficient hardware, optimized software, and an increased capacity, all of which contribute to its superior performance. The iPhone 18 Pro Max proves that a higher battery capacity, combined with other advancements, can result in an exceptional battery life experience for users.
Written by urgent.news from CNET's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
