iPhone vs. Samsung: Which GSM Phone Has Better Battery Life in 2025?
For years, flagship smartphones prioritized cameras, design, and performance, often treating battery life as an afterthought. However, 2025 marks a turning point, with premium devices like the iPhone 16 series and Galaxy S24 lineup dominating battery performance charts. Let’s break down which brand offers better endurance and why.
The Evolution of Battery Life in Flagship Phones
Not long ago, long-lasting batteries were rare in high-end phones. Brands focused on specs like zoom cameras or bezel-less screens, leaving gaming phones or budget devices to champion battery life. Today, advancements in chip efficiency and larger batteries have transformed flagship phones into endurance champions.
Take Apple’s A18 Pro chip and Samsung’s Exynos 2400: both optimize power consumption, allowing devices to last longer without compromising speed. Combined with bigger batteries (up to 5,000 mAh), these phones now set new benchmarks.
Testing Methodology: How We Measure Battery Life
To ensure fair comparisons, Tech4GSM tests every phone under identical conditions:
- Brightness: Fixed at 150 nits.
- Activity: Continuous web browsing over 5G.
- Settings: Default screen refresh rates (adaptive modes enabled).
This standardized approach eliminates variables, providing clear, repeatable results.
iPhone 16 Series: Battery Breakdown
Apple’s 2025 lineup includes four models with varying battery sizes. Here’s how they perform:
| Model | Battery Size | Battery Life (Hours) |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 | 3,561 mAh | 12:43 |
| iPhone 16 Plus | 4,674 mAh | 16:29 |
| iPhone 16 Pro | 3,582 mAh | 14:07 |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | 4,685 mAh | 17:35 |
Key Takeaways:
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max is Apple’s endurance king, lasting nearly 18 hours.
- Even smaller models like the iPhone 16 Pro outlast most competitors.
- Apple’s A18 chip enhances efficiency, squeezing more life from smaller batteries.
Galaxy S24 Series: Samsung’s Battery Performance
Samsung’s 2025 flagships emphasize balance between size and stamina:
| Model | Battery Size | Battery Life (Hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S24 | 4,000 mAh | 13:28 |
| Galaxy S24 Plus | 4,900 mAh | 15:58 |
| Galaxy S24 Ultra | 5,000 mAh | 16:45 |
Key Takeaways:
- The Galaxy S24 Ultra leads Samsung’s lineup but falls short of the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
- Adaptive refresh rates (default setting) slightly reduce battery life. Disabling them adds ~1 hour.
- Samsung’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip improves efficiency by 20% over 2024 models.
Google Pixel 9 Series: The Underdog
While not matching Apple or Samsung, Google’s 2025 Pixels show significant progress:
| Model | Battery Size | Battery Life (Hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Pixel 9 | 4,700 mAh | 12:30 |
| Pixel 9 Pro | 4,700 mAh | 13:30 |
| Pixel 9 Pro XL | 5,060 mAh | 12:54 |
Why the Discrepancy?
- Tensor G4 chips still lag in efficiency compared to Apple/Samsung.
- Disabling the default “Smooth Display” boosts the Pro XL’s life to 14 hours.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Let’s compare averages across brands:
| Brand | Average Battery Life (2025) | Improvement vs. 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | 15 hours 13 minutes | 21% |
| Samsung | 15 hours 23 minutes | 35% |
| 12 hours 58 minutes | 42% |
Samsung edges out Apple by 10 minutes on average, thanks to the S24 Ultra and Plus models. Google’s 42% improvement is impressive but starts from a lower baseline.
Comparison Table: iPhone vs. Samsung vs. Google Pixel: Which GSM Phone Has Better Battery Life?
| Model | Battery Size | Battery Life (Hours) | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 | 3,561 mAh | 12:43 | Smallest battery but still outperforms most mid-range phones |
| iPhone 16 Plus | 4,674 mAh | 16:29 | Best value for long battery life without Pro features |
| iPhone 16 Pro | 3,582 mAh | 14:07 | Compact size with A18 Pro chip efficiency |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | 4,685 mAh | 17:35 | Longest-lasting flagship overall |
| Galaxy S24 | 4,000 mAh | 13:28 | Adaptive refresh rate boosts efficiency |
| Galaxy S24 Plus | 4,900 mAh | 15:58 | Near-Ultra performance at lower cost |
| Galaxy S24 Ultra | 5,000 mAh | 16:45 | Largest battery but slightly trails iPhone 16 Pro Max |
| Pixel 9 | 4,700 mAh | 12:30 | Struggles despite mid-sized battery |
| Pixel 9 Pro | 4,700 mAh | 13:30 | Best Pixel for compact size + battery balance |
| Pixel 9 Pro XL | 5,060 mAh | 12:54 | Disable Smooth Display for 14+ hours |
Key Takeaways from the Table
Apple Dominates Per mAh Efficiency:
The iPhone 16 Pro Max delivers 17+ hours with a 4,685 mAh battery, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra (5,000 mAh) lasts 16:45. Apple’s A18 chip is more power-efficient.Samsung Balances Size & Performance:
The Galaxy S24 Ultra and S24 Plus have minimal gaps in battery life (47 mins), making the Plus a smarter buy for most users.Google’s Odd Battery Sizes:
The Pixel 9 Pro XL has the largest battery (5,060 mAh) but the worst performance due to Tensor G4 inefficiency. Turn off Smooth Display for better results.Compact Phone Winner:
The iPhone 16 Pro (14:07) outlasts the Galaxy S24 (13:28) and Pixel 9 (12:30) in small-phone battery life.
Quick Tips to Improve Battery Life
- Disable adaptive/Smooth Display refresh rates (adds 1-2 hours).
- Use Dark Mode on OLED screens.
- Limit 5G usage unless necessary.
This table simplifies the choice: iPhone for max endurance, Samsung for consistency, and Pixel for software enthusiasts willing to tweak settings.
The OnePlus 12 Wildcard
OnePlus’s single 2025 flagship, the OnePlus 12, lasts 17 hours 5 minutes on default settings. With faster charging (80% in 30 minutes), it’s ideal for users prioritizing both endurance and quick top-ups.
Why Battery Life Varies: Key Factors
- Chip Efficiency: Apple’s A-series and Snapdragon chips lead here.
- Software Optimization: iOS typically manages background tasks better than Android.
- Battery Size: Larger batteries = longer life, but efficient chips amplify results.
Final Verdict: Who Wins in 2025?
- Longest Single Device: iPhone 16 Pro Max (17:35 hours).
- Best Overall Lineup: Samsung (15:23 average).
- Most Improved: Google Pixel 9 series.
For most users, Samsung offers consistency across models, while Apple’s Pro Max remains unbeaten for heavy users. Google and OnePlus cater to niche audiences but aren’t far behind.
Pro Tip: Disable adaptive refresh rates and 5G when unneeded to extend battery life by 1-2 hours on any device.