CNET tested the battery life of 32 phones, and the iPhone 18 Pro Max came out on top. A $699 iPhone matched a $1,999 foldable, so price did not decide the winner.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro Max placed first overall in CNET's battery comparison of 32 smartphones. The more surprising result is further down the list. A $699 iPhone 17e matched Apple's $1,999 foldable, the iPhone Duo, and a $1,400 Motorola Razr Ultra. Paying more did not buy longer battery life.
CNET ran two tests on each phone, totaling three hours and 45 minutes. The first was three hours of video streaming over Wi-Fi with the screen at maximum brightness. The second was 45 minutes of mixed use: video playback, video calls, gaming and social media. Every phone started at 100% charge. CNET averaged the battery percentage left in each test to build its overall ranking.
CNET credited the iPhone 18 Pro Max's overall lead to three things: a bigger battery than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the efficiency of Apple's A20 Pro chip, and optimizations in iOS 27, the phone's software.
The iPhone Duo shared first place in the mixed-use test but tied for fourth overall. Its combined result matched the iPhone 17e and the Razr Ultra. CNET named the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17e among its better-value picks for battery endurance. Two Motorola phones also reached the overall top 10: the $500 Moto G Stylus and the $600 Edge.
Apple also led CNET's average results by manufacturer for the second year in a row. Only brands with several tested models counted, and OnePlus came second. Across the industry, though, little has changed. Phones tested in 2026 had about the same average battery performance as those tested in 2025 and 2024.
A larger battery does not guarantee longer use between charges. The screen, the processor and other features also drain power.
Before paying extra for a new phone, look at independent battery results for the specific models you are considering. This test suggests the cheaper option can last as long as the expensive one.
A higher price does not guarantee better battery life, so check independent test results before paying extra for your next phone.
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