When it comes to mobile phones, we don’t believe that things were better in the old days. The frustration of 2G internet, 160-character SMS limits, games limited to Snake… But in terms of battery life, phones were much better. Anyone old enough to remember the original Nokia 3310 will tell you that it only needed charging once or twice a week. For all their capabilities, smartphones are the poor relation.
But things are getting better - much better. The latest crop of smartphones offers stellar battery life figures, with some models offering a full two days of use before conking out. They charge faster than ever as well, with the top models going from zero to full capacity in around half an hour.
The big names do feature in this list, but you might be surprised which models come above them. And they’re not all pricey flagships, with some very affordable handsets punching well above their price bracket. Proof that paying more doesn’t guarantee you a better experience.
Want to see which phones have the best battery life? Read on and find out.
10. Nothing Phone (2a): this phone leaves Nothing to chance
Nothing Phone (2a) specifications
- Display: 6.7-inch AMOLED (2412x1084; 120Hz)
- Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro
- RAM: 8GB/16GB
- Storage: 128GB/256GB
- Rear cameras: 50MP main, 50MP ultrawide
- Front camera: 32MP
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Operating System: Android
Nothing Phone (2a) - Pros and cons
Lightning fast charging
Great price
Cool design
No headphone jack
So-so low light camera
Not much water resistance
Starting off our list is this budget smartie from relative newcomer Nothing. It delivers the best hours-per-pound ratio of every phone in our list – despite costing a little over £300 SIM free, it promises 29 hours of video playback or more than 14 hours of web surfing. Incredible.
It’s quick to charge, too, with its 45W fast charging getting you from zero battery to enough to last a day’s use in just 20 minutes. And its 5,000mAh capacity is broadly comparable with flagship phones that cost three times as much.
So, it delivers immense battery life for a very low price. It must look pretty basic though, right? Wrong. It packs Nothing’s fancy Glyph system, which can alert you to notifications using a series of flashing lights. Not only does it look cool and futuristic – and like nothing Apple and Samsung are doing – it’s genuinely useful too, for knowing what’s happening at a glance.
The operating system is smooth and fluid, although it might take a little getting used to if you’re accustomed to vanilla Android or iOS. But it’s an adjustment well worth making when this kind of phone is the payoff.
9. Motorola Edge+: the underdog who can run and run
Motorola Edge+ specifications
- Display: 6.67-inch OLED (2400x1080; 165Hz)
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB/512GB
- Rear cameras: 50MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (2x optical zoom)
- Front camera: 60MP
- Battery: 5,100mAh
- Operating System: Android
Motorola Edge+ - Pros and cons
Great battery life
Fast charging
Curved screen
Low-resolution screen
Low-light photography could be better
How the mighty have fallen. Motorola was once one of the biggest players in the mobile world, and while it’s still well known in its US home market, it’s a shadow of its former self in the UK. But the Edge+ suggests this underdog still has plenty of bite: in tests, it runs for between 16 and 17 hours continuously before giving up the ghost.
That’s thanks to its 5,100mAh battery, which is also equipped with 68W TurboPower fast charging. Plug it in, and in just 15 minutes, you’ll have around 20% battery capacity.
The latest-but-one Qualcomm processor is enough to keep it running smoothly, while the cameras are impressive too. Especially the 60MP front-facer – that’s practically unheard of. If you want detailed selfies (for social media use, say), this is the phone for you.
It’s good for gaming too, with a screen that hits a peak refresh rate of 165Hz. That’s up there with the best of them, and means even the fastest-moving games don’t look blurred.
The Edge+ is a well-specced, long-lasting and reliable handset that offers a lot of bang for your buck. Don’t write Motorola off just yet.
8. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: more, more, more
Samsing Galaxy S24 Plus specifications
- Display: 6.7-inch QHD OLED (3120x1440; 120Hz)
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 256GB/512GB
- Rear cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto (2x optical zoom)
- Front camera: 12MP
- Battery: 4,900mAh
- Operating System: Android
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus - Pros and cons
Bright screen
Excellent battery life
AI features
So-so design
Cameras could use updating
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus gives you more than the standard S24. More screen size, more storage, more power, and – of course – more battery life. Samsung claims the S24 Plus is good for 31 hours of video playback and 92 hours of audio playback – that’s two and 14 hours more than the standard S24’s numbers, respectively. It’s also an hour more for video playback than the more expensive S24 Ultra (though the Ultra will give you three hours more audio playback).
In real-world tests, the S24 Plus lasts more than 16 hours.
It also has fast charging - 15 minutes of plug time gets you around 40% capacity, which could be the difference between being stranded and getting home unscathed.
True, the S24 Plus misses out on the S24 Ultra’s extra camera power and nattier design, but because its screen is slightly smaller but with the same resolution, it’s actually marginally sharper than the more expensive handset.
All in, the S24 Plus is a big, powerful phone that’s packed with artificial intelligence skills and a monster battery life. Plenty to enjoy.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus deals
Check out the best Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus deals
7. Apple iPhone 16 Plus: big in size, bigger in battery life
iPhone 16 Plus specifications
- Display: 6.7-inch OLED (2796x1290; 60Hz)
- Chipset: Apple A18
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB
- Rear cameras: 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide (2x optical zoom)
- Front camera: 12MP
- Battery: 4,674mAh
- Operating System: iOS
iPhone 16 Plus - Pros and cons
Great battery life
Lots of power
Camera Control works a treat
Screen could refresh faster
Slow to charge
Design is unchanged
Rumour has it that the Plus variant of the iPhone is for the chop, to be replaced by a Slim model in the iPhone 17 family. If that’s true, this is quite a swansong: the iPhone 16 Plus is a big phone with a big battery and an equally big battery life.
Apple claims it has the same 27 hours of video playback as the iPhone 16 Pro, while video streaming and audio playback outdo the Pro at 24 hours and 100 hours, respectively.
In the real world? Testers report it topping 16 hours of continuous use, which is certainly impressive.
Its charging speeds? Less so. You should get over 50% capacity from a half-hour charge, but some phones will fill their battery capacity completely at the same time.
It’s an iPhone, so every other element is predictably excellent. The cameras are detailed, the screen big and bright and beautiful (though the 60Hz refresh rate is starting to look a bit behind the times, with more blur than most similar-sized rivals), and the iOS operating system is as whizzy as ever. Apple’s AI will be part of the package, but it will not be available in the UK until December.
Yes, the cameras aren’t as good as the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s, and yes, the design looks a bit dated. But if this does turn out to be the last Plus model of the iPhone we see, it’s a fitting tribute to a model that went big in more ways than one.
iPhone 16 Plus deals
Compare the best iPhone 16 Plus deals
6. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: the best of everything Samsung offers, including battery life
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra specifications
- Display: 6.8-inch QHD OLED (3120x1440; 120Hz)
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB
- Rear cameras: 200MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (3x optical zoom), 10MP periscope telephoto (5x optical zoom)
- Front camera: 12MP
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Operating System: Android
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra - Pros and cons
Great AI features
Excellent camera
Typically brilliant build quality
Expensive
Less powerful zoom than its predecessor
S Pen stylus lacks innovation
We’re getting further down this list, and the battery life numbers are creeping up. More than one test has seen the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra last 16 hours and 45 minutes before the battery went flat. If you need a longer run time, you might want to reconsider how much you use your phone.
It has plenty of Power-Saving features, too, which will help you preserve juice (though this will disable plenty of the phone’s features). And its fast charging is respectable, if unspectacular—30 minutes plugged in gets you over 50% capacity, while it takes around 45 minutes to fill up completely. However, as these batteries get bigger, they demand ever-faster speeds to provide an impressive quick charge time.
Being the Ultra variant, this phone combines the best of what Samsung has to offer: the most capable cameras, the biggest, brightest and most responsive screen and a plush titanium build that manages to be strong yet light.
The AI feature also impresses, and combined with the S Pen stylus, it provides more ways than ever to interact with your phone. It all adds up to a phone that’s much more than just a big battery.
Want more information? Check our Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra deals
These are our latest deals on our top-rated Android smartphone.
5. Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra: the Zen master when it comes to battery life
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra specifications
- Display: 6.78-inch OLED (2400x1080; 144Hz)
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- RAM: 12GB/16GB
- Storage: 256GB/512GB
- Rear cameras: 50MP main, 13MP ultrawide, 32MP telephoto (3x optical zoom)
- Front camera: 32MP
- Battery: 5,500mAh
- Operating System: Android
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra - Pros and cons
Bright screen
Brilliant performance
Stellar battery life
Not futureproofed
This is essentially a rebadged ROG Phone 8, which – spoiler alert – bodes very well indeed for battery life. With the same 5,500Ah cell as its ROG stablemate, the Zenfone 11 Ultra tops 17 hours of battery life in tests, which should translate to two full days of general use. Asus also says you’ll get full battery capacity from 39 minutes of charging – that’s quick, undoubtedly, but not as quick as some.
Unfortunately, it only comes with two years of full software updates and four years of security updates. That’s not ideal, considering plenty of companies (Google and Samsung) are committing to seven years of support. However, it could explain the Zenfone 11 Ultra’s slightly lower price.
Otherwise, there’s a lot to like. It packs the latest Qualcomm processor, its video recordings can be stabilised for professional-level results, and the screen is really great. Its photos could be better though.
Still, you can’t argue with that battery life, and if that lower-than-flagship price tempts you, you’ll surely get a lot of mileage out of the Zenfone 11 Ultra.
4. OnePlus 12: OnePlus with a big battery adds up to a joyful experience
OnePlus 12 specifications
- Display: 6.8-inch ProXDR (3168x1440; 120Hz)
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 256GB/512GB
- Rear cameras: 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 64MP telephoto
- Front camera: 32MP
- Battery: 5,400mAh
- Operating System: Android
OnePlus 12 - Pros and cons
Incredible fast charging
Cool design
Unique cameras
Lacks AI features
Could be more durable
Not only does the OnePlus 12 give you more battery power than most rivals (over 17 hours in tests), but it also charges faster than the other competitors. Fast charging can get you from zero to full capacity in just 30 minutes, and even the wireless charger is faster than most wired rivals (just 15 minutes gets you around 30% charge). When you consider the OnePlus 12 is cheaper than most of these rivals it outperforms, it’s a no-brainer.
But it’s far more than just a big battery with a screen slapped on it. Its chassis sports a unique marbled effect, making it one of the most distinctive smarties around. Its cameras are really good, delivering snaps packed with detail. And its cutting-edge chipset makes it super smooth for day-to-day use.
The screen is really bright, too. And while it might not be as hard-wearing as some of its rivals, nor come with as many years of software updates, it’s far, far more than a one-trick
3. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: Apple outlasts the competition
iPhone 16 Pro Max specifications
- Display: 6.9-inch OLED (2868x1320; 120Hz)
- Chipset: Apple A18 Pro
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB
- Rear cameras: 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (5x optical zoom)
- Front camera: 12MP
- Battery: 4,685mAh
- Operating System: iOS
iPhone 16 Pro Max - Pros and cons
Great screen
Lots of power
Impressive battery life
AI not fully ready at launch
Expensive
This phone is so Apple. While its 4,685mAh battery capacity is much smaller than that of its price rivals, it actually performs far better than that specification would suggest. Apple creates both the software and hardware, so it has control over every element of the handset, which allows it to squeeze the maximum possible performance from it. This is the result.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is good for 33 hours of video playback, according to Apple, while independent tests have found it runs for over 17 hours of continuous web browsing. That’s a lot of Instagram.
It also has fast charging, giving it 50% battery capacity in around half an hour. It's not as impressive as some rivals, maybe, but still pretty useful.
The battery is just one string to this phone’s bow. It’s the biggest and best iPhone Apple sells, which means it has Apple’s ultimate camera setup, the most stunning screen, and the quickest and most smooth operation. It’s a shame Apple’s artificial intelligence tech isn’t fully baked in at launch, but it’s coming soon, which will right that wrong.
If you’re an iOS convert, this is the best iPhone you can buy for battery life.
Read this: iPhone 16: everything you need to know
iPhone 16 Pro Max deals
The best deals on the iPhone 16 Pro Max
2. OnePlus 12R: the quickest-charging phone in the west
OnePlus 12R specifications
- Display: 6.78-inch AMOLED (2780x1264; 120Hz)
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Rear cameras: 50MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro (2x optical zoom)
- Front camera: 16MP
- Battery: 5,500mAh
- Operating System: Android
OnePlus 12R - Pros and cons
Great screen
Excellent battery life
Lots of features
No wireless charging
Cameras could be better
The OnePlus 12R contains a huge 5,500mAh battery that’s good for in excess of 18 hours of constant use. That’s the largest found in a OnePlus phone and one of the biggest around (flagships typically have a battery cell of around 5,000mAh).
But it’s not just the size that’s impressive, but the speed. Thanks to 100W fast charging, the OnePlus 12R can go from zero to 100% capacity in around half an hour. Need to dash out the door in double quick time in the morning? This is the phone for you.
And it’s in it for the long haul. OnePlus claims that the 12R’s battery will take 1,600 cycles (being discharged to zero and then charged back up again to 100%) before it degrades to 80% of its original capacity. To put that in perspective, that’s around four years of use. Considering that some high-end rivals degrade to that capacity after only around 500-600 cycles, that’s pretty amazing.
Which sums up the OnePlus 12R. It’s powerful, with a bright and sharp screen and perfectly capable cameras. It not only goes the distance, it does so with style and finesse.
1. Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro: gamers’ choice is best for battery life
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro specifications
- Display: 6.78-inch AMOLED (2400x1080; 165Hz)
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB
- Rear cameras: 50MP main, 13MP ultrawide, 32MP telephoto (3x optical zoom)
- Front camera: 32MP
- Battery: 5,500mAh
- Operating System: Android
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro - Pros and cons
Immense battery life
So much power
Water-resistant
Poor cameras
Expensive
The ROG Phone 8 Pro is built for gaming, but the knock-on effect means it has simply staggering battery life. Asus says you’ll get at least 17 hours of social media use, 23 hours of video streaming or close to 3.5 hours of intensive gaming. But reviews found its web browsing actually clocked in at closer to 19 hours. Incredible.
Not only that, but it has 65W fast charging, which gives it 80% of its battery capacity in just 30 minutes. This is handy if you have to leave the house in a hurry.
For a gaming phone, it looks a lot more grown-up than its more brash rivals, with none of the garish branding and go-faster flames. Which gives it much more mainstream appeal. It’s water-resistant too, making it more practical than a fairweather games machine, and its screen is a sight to behold – with support of refresh rates up to 165Hz, it won’t blur, no matter how frantic the action gets. It also offers spot-on colours and bags of detail.
Whether you’re a gamer on the go, or just looking for a smartphone with tons of power, this phone will last a long, long time.
Check out our Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro review
FAQs
What phone has the best battery life?
The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro tops independent tests, with a run time of nearly 19 hours. While it’s a lot more mainstream than most gaming phones, it is still primarily aimed at gamers, so you might be better served by another phone on our list.
How long does a phone battery last?
It depends. Phones are designed to last years, and people go longer between upgrades, so a battery should last at least five years. However, as with any battery-powered device, the capacity will degrade over time, so you will find your phone’s battery life getting shorter over time.
How long does a mobile phone charge last?
Intensive tasks like gaming and streaming high-resolution videos will sap the battery life quicker, while emailing, writing documents, and the like will make the battery last a lot longer. Anything in excess of 14 hours of web browsing is pretty decent and should last you a full day’s use with no problem.
Which Samsung has the best battery life?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra lasts close to 17 hours of continuous use. That’s the highest of any Samsung phone currently on sale.
