The iPhone 16 Pro Max has proven itself to be a true leader in battery life. Despite not having the largest battery on the market, it outlasts other smartphones in various tests. The results, confirmed by Tom’s Guide and Phone Arena, show that Apple has achieved significant success in battery performance.
Impressive Battery Life
With a battery size of 4685 mAh, the iPhone 16 Pro Max may not boast the highest capacity compared to other smartphones. However, its performance in tests speaks for itself. Tom’s Guide reported that the device lasted 18 hours and six minutes, surpassing the OnePlus 12, which has a much larger 5400 mAh battery but only lasted 17 hours and 37 minutes.
Other top brands like the Samsung Galaxy S24 models and the iPhone 16 Plus could not keep up, as they lasted between 16 and 17 hours. This impressive result makes the iPhone 16 Pro Max the top choice for users seeking long battery life.
Compared to the previous model, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple made significant strides in battery life. The new iPhone 16 Pro Max lasts more than four hours longer, a significant jump within just one year. Even the smaller iPhone 16 models saw gains. The standard iPhone 16 now lasts over an hour longer than its predecessor, while the iPhone 16 Plus has improved by more than two hours.
Test Results Across Various Tasks
Phone Arena put the iPhone 16 Pro Max through its paces in different load tests. These tests involved common tasks such as web surfing, YouTube streaming, and 3D gaming. In all categories, the iPhone 16 Pro Max outshined its rivals.
When it came to web browsing, the iPhone 16 Pro Max led by a significant margin, lasting 22 hours and 39 minutes—39 minutes longer than its closest competitor. In YouTube streaming, it lasted 10 hours and 24 minutes, again beating most of its rivals. In the 3D gaming test, it stayed strong at 12 hours and 4 minutes, though it was narrowly defeated by the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which lasted just a few minutes longer.
Here are some key results from the tests:
| Smartphone model | Web browsing | YouTube streaming | 3D Gaming (60Hz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | 22h 39min | 10h 24min | 12h 4min |
| Galaxy S24+ | 20h 41min | 8h 20min | 11h 52min |
| Galaxy S24 Ultra | 20h 6min | 8h 18min | 1h 53min |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | 19h 20min | 9h 45min | 9h 36min |
| Pixel 9 Pro XL | 18h 52min | 9h 24min | 10h 4min |
| OnePlus 12 | 18h 14min | 13h 37min | 9h 43min |
| iPhone 16 Plus | 18h 5min | 10h 24min | 10h 32min |
The defining characteristic of the iPhone 16 Pro Max is its exceptional efficiency. Although competing smartphones like the Galaxy S24 Ultra (5000 mAh), Pixel 9 Pro XL (5060 mAh), and OnePlus 12 (5400 mAh) possess larger batteries, the iPhone 16 Pro Max achieves superior longevity. This impressive performance can be credited to the advanced A18 Pro chip and the highly optimized iOS 18 software, both of which contribute significantly to its overall efficiency.
For consumers, battery longevity remains a critical consideration when selecting a smartphone, particularly in this premium price segment. The iPhone 16 Pro Max’s remarkable endurance guarantees that users can comfortably navigate through a demanding workday without requiring mid-day charging. With this outstanding battery performance, Apple has firmly established a new standard in smartphone technology.
