What iPhone Has the Best Battery Life?
Oct 30, 2024
Considering the frequency with which people use their phones, it’s understandable that you’d want to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth with your iPhone. While some consider camera features or storage space top priorities, what’s the point of having both if your battery dies too quickly?
Discover which model is best for battery life and how you can extend the battery life of your current device without limiting your experience.
Latest iPhones Ranked by Battery Life
So, which device comes out on top based on battery life alone?
iPhone 16 Series
It may come as no surprise that with 57% of US adults addicted to their phones, the demand for increased battery life for extra usage is rising. With technological developments, the iPhone 16 series has come out on top regarding battery life.
The 16 series boasts the bigger batteries at 4,685 mAh for the Pro Max and 4,674 mAh for the iPhone 16 Plus. Bigger batteries don’t always mean a longer life. While the iPhone 16 Pro Max sits at the top of the list for a battery life of approximately 11 hours, the 15 Pro Max beats the 16 Plus by nearly an hour.
However, the iPhone 16 series beats all the other models on battery life overall.
iPhone 15 Series
While several devices beat the iPhone 15 from the 14 series, it’s crucial to note that the 15 Pro Max and the iPhone 15 Plus rank high overall, with the former beating the latter. While the 14 model is tough competition for the 15 series, the latter remains higher overall than the previous series.
However, it’s worth remembering that the iPhone 15 Pro Max overcomes the battery life of some in the 16 series, so you don’t always need to pay more for the latest model for better battery life.
iPhone 14 Series
The iPhone 4 series has some real disparity in battery sizes, with the 14 model measuring 3,279mAh while the 14 Pro Max 4,323mAh. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that the iPhone 14 Pro Max has about three more hours of video playback than its older counterpart.
That being said, the 14 series does measure well overall, as the 14 Pro Max is among the top for battery life, and the iPhone 13 series (aside from the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which falls short of the younger models).
iPhone 13 Series
While the 13 series doesn’t match up to that of the iPhone 14, 15, or 16 series, it’s worth bearing in mind that most of the models’ battery sizes are considerably smaller (excluding the Pro Max with its battery at 4,352mAh). While the battery life is generally lower, the iPhone 13 can still offer up to 20 hours of video playback, which is no small feat and should satisfy anyone using their phone for long durations.
Again, the Pro Max versions in each series seem to beat most other models in the younger series, as the iPhone 13 Pro Max has better video playback than all other models in the 14, 15, and 16 series aside from the Pro Max designs of those younger series.
iPhone 12 Series
If you have an iPhone 12 series device, is it worth it? Or should you upgrade to a newer model? Remember that any time you upgrade, you consider the damaging environmental impact of discarding your old phone. The devices in the 12 series are not as good for battery life as those in the younger generations.
However, the 12 model offers a similar charge to the iPhone 13, so that comparative battery life isn’t perhaps enough reason to throw away your current device.
iPhone 11 Series
The iPhone 11 series was released in 2019. Unsurprisingly, the 11 series doesn’t surpass those of the younger generations. With a battery size of 3,110mAh, the iPhone 11 does have a bigger capacity than some of the younger generation models. However, this cannot even raise the 11 series through the ranks.
iPhone Battery Sizes
- 16 Pro Max - 4,685 mAh
- 16 Plus - 4,674 mAh
- 15 Pro Max - 4,422mAh
- 15 Plus - 4,383mAh
- 13 Pro Max - 4,352mAh
- 14 Pro Max - 4,323mAh
- 16 Pro - 3,582 mAh
- 16 - 3,561 mAh
- 15 - 3,349 mAh
- 14 - 3,279mAh
- 15 Pro - 3,274mAh
Which iPhone Has the Longest Battery Life?
While many factors will affect battery life, and different bodies will use differing methods to understand which comes out on top, the 16 Pro Max model is somewhat universally acknowledged as surpassing the other models. While this might be unsurprising to some due to its size, its video playback is approximately 30 hours.
What Can I Do To Prolong My iPhone's Battery Life?
1. Ensure you have the latest software
Ensure that you have the latest software on your device to optimise battery life.
2. Use Battery Saving Settings
When using battery-saving settings, such as auto-brightness, you’ll ensure you aren’t using more battery-draining settings. If you’re concerned about how to prolong your phone's life, it is best to check its health.
3. Use Low Power Mode
Keeping your device in lower power mode (introduced with iOS 9) ensures you can still use critical essential functions, such as making and receiving calls and messages, accessing the internet, and receiving emails. Still, it also considerably saves your battery life.
4. Don’t Over or Under Charge
Preserving your battery’s health is paramount when giving your phone the best chance of survival. Leaving your phone to charge overnight isn't always the best idea. It's generally recommended not to keep your phone plugged into charge once fully charged, as this can damage your battery's lifespan.
Final Thoughts
Battery life may not be the most crucial factor when choosing a phone. However, long or short battery life won’t protect your phone from damage, and what’s the point of having a good battery life if your phone ultimately breaks because you don’t have a case?
Don’t hesitate to protect your device so it lives a long life with Casely’s range of iPhone cases today!
