The iPhone 17 Pro Max has emerged as the clear leader in smartphone battery performance, according to extensive new testing conducted by CNET. Out of 35 smartphones tested, Apple’s latest flagship delivered the best overall battery life, outperforming competitors with significantly larger battery capacities.
The results reinforce Apple’s reputation for power efficiency and place the company at the top of CNET’s brand-wide battery rankings.
Battery Life Remains a Top Priority for Smartphone Buyers
CNET initiated the large-scale testing project in response to consistent reader feedback indicating that battery life is one of the most important factors when purchasing a new smartphone.
According to a CNET/YouGov survey conducted in September 2025, respondents ranked longer battery life as the number one reason to upgrade a phone, second only to price. This feedback directly shaped the scope and depth of the battery testing process.
How CNET Conducted the Battery Life Tests
CNET evaluated 35 different smartphone models using two standardized battery benchmarks designed to simulate real-world usage:
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A 3-hour video streaming test, conducted over Wi-Fi at full screen brightness, starting from 100% battery
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A 45-minute endurance stress test, combining gaming, video streaming, social media scrolling, and a video call
These tests allow consistent comparisons across devices, regardless of operating system or battery size.
iPhone 17 Pro Max Delivers Top Performance Despite Average Battery Size
The iPhone 17 Pro Max ranked first overall, even though its 5,088 mAh battery is not the largest among the phones tested and does not use the newest battery chemistry.
CNET attributes the strong performance primarily to:
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The A19 Pro chip, which delivers improved power efficiency
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Apple’s tight integration between hardware and software
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Optimized iOS power management under sustained load
This combination allowed the device to outperform phones with substantially higher battery capacities.
Apple Dominates the Video Streaming Battery Test
In CNET’s 3-hour video streaming benchmark, the iPhone 17 Pro Max outlasted every other phone in the test. The device maintained battery stability under maximum brightness and continuous playback, an area where many competitors showed steep declines.
This result highlights Apple’s efficiency in one of the most common real-world usage scenarios.
Stress Testing Confirms Consistent Battery Leadership
The iPhone 17 Pro Max also led CNET’s 45-minute endurance test, finishing ahead of all competitors. Notably, three additional Apple models followed closely behind, including the iPhone 16E, a $599 device, underscoring Apple’s efficiency advantage across multiple price tiers.
Base Model iPhone 17 Matches Phones with Nearly Double the Battery Size
One of the most striking results came from the base model iPhone 17, which tied for second place overall alongside the OnePlus 15.
The iPhone 17 achieved this result with a 3,692 mAh battery, compared to the OnePlus 15’s 7,300 mAh battery, demonstrating how Apple’s power optimization compensates for smaller hardware capacity.
Apple Leads Overall Brand Battery Rankings
When CNET averaged battery scores across each manufacturer, Apple ranked first overall with an average score of 91.7%.
This placed Apple:
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Slightly ahead of OnePlus
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Several points above Motorola
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Clearly ahead of Samsung and Google
The results suggest Apple’s efficiency advantage extends across its entire product lineup, not just flagship models.
What These Results Mean for Buyers
CNET’s findings reinforce the idea that battery capacity alone is no longer the best indicator of real-world endurance. Chip efficiency, software optimization, and system-level integration play a larger role than raw mAh numbers.
For users prioritizing long battery life without relying on oversized batteries, the iPhone 17 Pro Max currently sets the benchmark.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max’s performance confirms Apple’s continued leadership in power efficiency. By combining an efficient A-series processor with tightly optimized software, Apple has delivered the longest-lasting smartphone in CNET’s testing—without relying on extreme battery capacity.
For buyers focused on endurance, the iPhone 17 Pro Max now stands as the reference point in the smartphone market.
