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Best phones for battery life
Brilliant battery life is the difference between everything you need to power your day, and a nightmare commute home because your phone’s died before you’ve had chance to load up and use your train ticket.
Phones are a crucial part of modern living, so an impressive battery life should be top of list if you’re in the market for a new one. Ready to scroll, snap and stay connected for longer? Let’s go!
The best all-rounder
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is our top pick for battery life, while also ticking lots of other boxes. First up, it’s got a 5,000mAh battery that performs really efficiently and has fast charging capability. Lasting over 16 hours in independent testing, it's built to keep up with everything from streaming and gaming to work and social media, making it a reliable choice for busy bees. Add to that a 200MP quad rear camera and a 6.9"" Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, and it’s no surprise this phone bags top spot.
Best budget phone for battery life
The Samsung Galaxy A26 5G is the frontrunner if you need great battery life, but don’t need top spec everything else. Its 5,000mAh battery will give you dependable all-day power for everyday tasks – or let you watch videos for up to 17 hours without charging – you know, if it’s been one of those days. And because it keeps costs down elsewhere, you get long-lasting battery life without spending flagship money.
Our expert pick- Samsung galaxy A26 5G
Best premium phone for battery life
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is Apple's longest-lasting iPhone with their ‘Best-ever battery life.’ If you’re an iPhone-or-nothing kind of phone owner, this is the one for you. Lots of tech review websites report real world battery life of up to 2 days for basic use, which excludes power-heavy things like maps, games or streaming, but is still very impressive. So, whether you use a lot of demanding apps or just want a super long battery life, you found your match.
Our expert pick- Apple iPhone 17 pro max
Best battery life iPhone
The iPhone 16 is your best bet if you want the familiarity of an iPhone and an impressive battery life, without the flagship Pro Max prices. The 16 runs really efficiently thanks to the A18 chip, which means all-day performance is no trouble. It can even give you up to 22 hours of uninterrupted video playback. You’d better find some more dramas to watch.
Our expert pick- Apple iPhone 16
Best battery life Samsung
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is our top overall shout, but if you’re looking for something more affordable, the Samsung Galaxy S26 will still give you strong, all-day performance by running really efficiently. It charges really quickly too, so when you do run out, you can be back up to 55% in about half an hour. Not bad, eh?
Our expert pick- Samsung Galaxy s26
Best battery life Google
The Google Pixel 10 Pro comes with Extreme Battery Saver mode that’ll keep your phone going for up to 100 hours. And because it’s a mode you can turn on and off, you’re in total control. So, if you need to make use of more demanding features like the Super Actua display and 100x Pro Res Zoom for a work project, it’s your call. Essentially, this phone will give you the best of both worlds, so you can switch how you use your phone to suit every situation.
Our expert pick- Google pixel 10 pro
Brand spotlight
More to love
Apple iPhone 16e 128GB in Black
Apple iPhone 16 128GB in Pink
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB Smartphone in Sky Blue
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB Smartphone in Black
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB Smartphone in White
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 512GB Smartphone in Black
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 512GB Smartphone in Cobalt Violet
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 512GB Smartphone in Sky Blue
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 1TB Smartphone in Cobalt Violet
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 1TB Smartphone in Sky Blue
Mobile phone buying guide
Still weighing up your options? Let us help you narrow down the search in our guide.
- What battery size is considered good in a smartphone?
A battery of 5,000mAh or larger is generally considered excellent for all-day use. Many modern smartphones now use batteries between 5,000mAh and 7,500mAh, that’ll let you stream, browse and game for longer without needing to recharge.
- How can I make my phone battery last longer?
There are lots of simple power-saving tips that’ll help you get longer out of your phone. Screen brightness is one of the biggest battery drains, so lowering this or using dark mode whenever you can is one of the most effective ways to prolong battery life. It’s also a good idea to close any apps to stop them from running in the background and turn off Bluetooth and GPS when you’re not using them. Find even more tips in our expert guide.
- How long should a smartphone battery last on a single charge?
Most modern smartphones are designed to last a full day on a single charge, but exactly how long you’ll get will depend on how you use your phone. Activities like gaming, video streaming and navigation drain power more quickly.
- Is fast charging bad for your phone battery?
No, fast charging is no different to standard charging when it comes to battery health. Modern smartphones are designed with battery management systems that help protect it during fast charging. Having said that, using the manufacturer's approved charger is always recommended for the best results.
- What uses the most battery on a smartphone?
The biggest battery drains are usually the display, mobile data, GPS navigation, gaming apps, video streaming and running multiple apps in the background. So, if you’re ever running low without a charger nearby, avoid using these features first. It’s a good idea to take a look at your settings and turn on any power-saving features you can.
- Will battery saver mode affect my phone's performance?
Yes, you might notice a slight difference. Battery saver mode may reduce background activity, visual effects and processing power to extend battery life, but it’s usually unnoticeable during basic, everyday use
