The best phones for battery life in 2025: I tested a dozen and these stand out

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Battery life is a crucial factor to consider when buying a new phone. It is a deal-maker or breaker for me. Nothing matters if your phone isn't lasting through a workday. Typically, larger phones provide the best battery backup, thanks to their bigger batteries. But some smaller devices, like the iPhone 16e, can deliver impressive battery life, too.

From battery-focused Motorola phones to the best small phones, we've included options across sizes and a price range of $300 to $1,500 to ensure there's something for everyone.

Which is the best phone for battery life right now?

At ZDNET, we've tested every flagship phone launched this year -- and two of the biggest flagships lead this list. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the best phone for battery life right now, followed by the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and OnePlus 13 at a close second. All three are great phones overall, as you get powerful performance, bright displays, a bunch of AI features and a battery life that will last you an entire day on a single charge.

But these cost $800 or more. If that's out of your budget, fret not. We've got you covered with the rest of our tested picks for the best phones for battery life.

Also: The best Android phones you can buy

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The best phones for battery life in 2025

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is one of the biggest phones on this list with its 6.9-inch display. The big form factor allows it to house a large battery, which, combined with Apple's efficient processor and iOS 18 makes it the best phone for battery life.

Why we like it: According to Apple, the iPhone 16 Pro Max has the best-rated battery life, at 27 hours of video playback. From our tests, we found the phone to last much longer than the standard 16 Pro and last year's 15 Pro Max. While it is fairly similar to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple has managed to increase the screen size by reducing the bezels.

The 6.9-inch AMOLED display is excellent for most tasks. Plus, the titanium build makes it one of the most durable phones on the market right now. A notable hardware change comes in the form of a new Camera Control key on the right side of the device. It also includes new Photographic Styles, improved performance and the latest Apple Intelligence features for future-proofing.

Review: iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max

Who it's for: The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a flagship phone that commands a flagship price. It is ideal for those who want the biggest iPhone and are willing to pay for it. You should buy the Pro Max version if you want the larger screen, best battery life, and a versatile camera setup.

Who should look elsewhere: If you're on a strict $1000 budget and don't mind a smaller screen, consider the $999 iPhone 16 Pro ($200 cheaper and with a 6.1-inch display). And if you aren't someone who needs a dedicated telephoto lens, you can even go with the $899 iPhone 16 Plus, which features a large screen and battery but only has wide and ultrawide lenses for shooting.

iPhone 16 Pro Max specs: Processor: Apple A18 Pro Bionic | Display size: 6.9 inches with 120Hz refresh rate | Storage options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Rear cameras: 48MP wide, 48MP ultra-wide, and 12MP 5x telephoto | Front camera: 12MP | Colors: Natural Titanium, Desert Titanium, White, Black | Weight: 227g | Starting price: $1,099

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Samsung improved the battery life and further improved the screen quality on its flagship phone this year. The Galaxy S25 Ultra easily lasts an entire day and features the best display on a smartphone right now.

Why we like it: The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra features the best display on a phone right now. It is an improvement over the already industry-leading Galaxy S24 Ultra screen. It sports a versatile set of cameras, excellent performance, smooth and fast One UI, and a promised long software support.

The Galaxy AI is now more useful than ever with features like AI Select, Gemini support and a slew of generative AI capabilities. It also weighs less than last year's model, making it easier to use with one hand for some people.

Review: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Who it's for: If you want a productivity-focused smartphone that lasts an entire workday, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is for you. It offers a wide array of features to still our go-to Android phone recommendation.

Who should look elsewhere: The Galaxy S25 Ultra misses out on Bluetooth S Pen functionality, so if you're a Galaxy S24 Ultra or Galaxy S23 Ultra user, you might want to stick with them for another year. It is not for those who want a small compact smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Display size: 6.8 inches | Storage options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Rear cameras: 200MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto (5x), 10MP telephoto (3x) | Front camera: 12MP | Battery: 5,000mAh

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The OnePlus Open offers the best battery life on a folding phone. It will last you longer than the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. It also charges faster at 67W to deliver up to 75% charge in 30 minutes.

Why we like it: The OnePlus Open might be a couple of years old now, but it remains our value for money book-style foldable pick. It not only delivers the best battery life on a foldable but is one of the quickest charging phones out there, so if you're running low on battery and don't have much time available, the handset can top-up enough within 10 minutes to get you through the next leg of your day.

It strikes the ideal balance of weight-to-size ratio. When folded, the phone is almost as light as an iPhone, and when unfolded, you get a sleek tablet. Multitasking is handled by OnePlus' Open Canvas feature, which is the best multitasking experience I've seen on a foldable. It's my go-to recommendation for a folding phone for the value it provides. Sure, it's powered by the now two-year-old Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset -- but at $1,200, it's an unbeatable value.

Review: OnePlus Open

Who it's for: The OnePlus Open is for those who want a book-style foldable but don't want to spend more than a regular flagship price. At $1,200, you get decent performance, good multitasking, best telephoto camera on a foldable, and fast charging support. That is really good value, even for a two-year-old phone.

Who should look elsewhere: If you want the latest and greatest processor and AI features, the OnePlus Open is not for you. It runs on an aging Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which might not last you for more than two years.

OnePlus Open tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Display size: 6.3 (outer) and 7.8 inches (inner) | Storage options: 512GB | Rear cameras: 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 64MP telephoto | Front camera: 32MP (outer) 20MP and (inner) | Battery: 4805mAh

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The OnePlus 13 starts at $899, which is cheaper than its closest competitors, the $999 Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus and Google Pixel 9 Pro. It lasts more than both of those phones on a single charge, and there is no deal-breaker downside.

Why we like it: You get a large 6.8-inch, 120Hz AMOLED display, a 6,000mAh fast charging battery, a triple camera setup with a competent 50MP main sensor, the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, and more. All of it for just $899, which makes it a fantastic value for money.

Review: OnePlus 13

From our tests, the phone's 80W wired charging can power it from 0% to 50% within 10 minutes, with a full charge taking less than 30 minutes. OnePlus also includes the 80W charger in the box, a free bonus that will benefit users who don't want to spend any more on accessories and are always on the go. Plus, you get IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance, very capable cameras and a slim and light design.

Who it's for: If you want the best value for money flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 13 is for you. One of the most underrated features is its capability to be touch sensitive despite water droplets on the screen. It is tailor-made for those who are active pool swimmers.

Who should look elsewhere: Samsung and Google phone users who want to stick with their respective software and a familiar feel with longer software support, can consider overlooking the value aspect.

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The latest iPhone 16e is the cheapest iPhone on the market right now. It replaces the $429 iPhone SE but now costs $599. There are some caveats, of course, but it offers the best battery life for a compact phone.

Why we like it: The iPhone 16e is a no-nonsense phone. You get a 6.1-inch OLED display that's comfortable to hold, an exceptional battery life thanks to the efficiency of the A18 processor, a single 48MP Fusion camera that's capable of capturing vivid and detailed images.

Sure, you'll have to settle with some trade-offs. There's no MagSafe or Dynamic Island, but the overall experience of the iPhone 16e -- with iOS 18 including most Apple Intelligence features -- makes it a reliable handset for hundreds less than the flagship iPhones.

Review: Apple iPhone 16e

Who it's for: The iPhone 16e is for those who want the Apple experience without spending more than $600. As ZDNET's Sabrina Ortiz said after switching over from an iPhone 16 Pro, "I am equally impressed as I am surprised." You get all the essentials like FaceTime in decent camera quality, iMessage texting with the latest chat features, firing up multiple apps in sequence, etc.

Who should look elsewhere: I thought I'd miss Dynamic Island the most but the absence of MagSafe was one of our main critiques when testing the iPhone 16e. If you're on an iPhone 12 or above, you might want to consider the iPhone 15 or iPhone 16 over the 16e.

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The Google Pixel 9a is the new most affordable Google phone. Unlike Apple's iPhone 16e, the Pixel 9a still starts at the same $499, despite the upgrades on the processor, display, and battery. The best part is, it houses a bigger battery than the more expensive Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro.

Why we like it: The Google Pixel 9a sports an updated design and borrows the Tensor G4 chipset from the Pixel 9 Pro. While the benchmark scores aren't as high, it remains an extremely capable device. Plus, you get a bigger 6.3-inch OLED display -- up from Pixel 8a's 6.1-inch screen. It carries over the Titan M2 chip as well as a built-in VPN for added security.

The Pixel 9a packs the biggest battery for an A-series Pixel phone -- 5,100mAh, which will likely last you an entire day. It is smooth and responsive in day-to-day usage. The cameras offer decent quality with an upgraded 48MP main sensor, paired with the same 12MP ultrawide angle camera and a 13MP selfie shooter.

Review: Google Pixel 9A

Who it's for: The Pixel 9a is for those who want the best of Google experience without spending more than $500. Despite the same price tag as before, you get plenty of upgrades, including a bigger screen, larger battery, improved camera and a better value than Apple's iPhone 16e.

Who should look elsewhere: If your usage involves a lot of content consumption, you should opt for the OnePlus 13R over the Pixel 9a. While the Google phone offers a very good value, the 13R has a better screen, hands down.

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The Moto G (2025) features a big display with excellent battery life, making it one of our go-to recommendations for phones under $250. The big battery is assisted by fast charging, where a quick 30-minute recharge will bring the battery up to 50%.

Why we like it: The Moto G (2025) has everything you'd want from a $200 phone without any major compromises. It offers a 6.7-inch HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, accompanied by speakers fine-tuned by Dolby Atmos. It is powered by a capable MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset for reliable performance. Plus, the 50MP main camera is above average for that price.

Review: Moto G (2025)

Who it's for: The new Motorola phone is for those who want a big screen without compromising battery life. You get all the essentials with a large battery, good design with a comfortable in-hand feel and a fast charging battery.

Who should look elsewhere: Those who want to play games or consume content might find the display resolution below average. The OnePlus Nord N30 would be a better choice in that case.

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The iPhone 16 Pro Max is our choice for the best battery backup on a phone. If price is no obstacle, you should opt for Apple's latest flagship device. If you are on the Android side, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or OnePlus 13 will serve you the best. But there are other options to consider, too.

Phone	Price	Display	Battery	Processor
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max	$1,199	6.9 inches	N/A (Rated: 50% charge in 30 minutes)	A18 Pro
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra	$1,299	6.8 inches	5,000mAh	Snapdragon 8 Elite
OnePlus Open	$1,200	6.3-inches and 7.8-inches	4,805mAh	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
OnePlus 13	$899	6.8 inches	6,000mAh	Snapdragon 8 Elite
Apple iPhone 16e	$599	6.1 inches	5,500mAh	Apple A18
Google Pixel 9a	$499	6.3 inches	5,100mAh	Google Tensor G4
Motorola Moto G Power 5G	$197	6.7 inches	5,000mAh	Dimensity 6300

If you're prioritizing battery life, you'll have to choose a big phone. Compact models -- like the Galaxy S24, Pixel 9, or iPhone 16 -- won't last you as long as their bigger counterparts. However, the Pixel 16e and Pixel 9a are a different story for a far lesser price. Every phone on this list serves a purpose and here are the best reasons to opt for one of these.

Choose this phone	If you want...
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max	The latest and greatest from Apple
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra	The best battery life on a big Android flagship
OnePlus Open	A foldable phone that delivers an all-day battery life
OnePlus 13	The best battery life on a phone under $900
Apple iPhone 16e	A compact phone with best possible battery life
Google Pixel 9a	The best phone under $500 with flagship prowess
Motorola Moto G (2025)	A battery-focused budget smartphone

With a wide range of phones available in the market each year, ZDNET spends at least two weeks with each model before deciding whether or not (and where) it belongs in this buying guide. The qualifications I look for when curating the picks include the following:

Availability: The biggest factor is availability; is what's being selected available to purchase directly from Google, a local carrier, or an online retailer? Is it in stock? Or can it only be purchased in used or renewed condition? With the picks on this list, each one can be bought new and sealed, guaranteeing that you'll receive the most reliable experience from the start.
Value: Just as important is the value that each phone brings. While all options on this list differ in price tiers, they each offer enough unique features, camera capabilities, and designs that make them worth paying for. If they're not worth it, they won't be on the list.
Performance: Naturally, I only pick models that yield good to excellent performance, from the way they handle day-to-day tasks to more intensive use cases like gaming and video editing.
Battery: For this story in particular, I looked at the battery capacity, charging wattage, and whether or not the phones last an entire day on a single charge.

Here's a breakdown of every factor we consider before we make recommendations:

Design and ergonomics: How good a phone looks and feels plays a big role in many users' buying journeys, so we consider these aspects heavily when testing.
Performance: Several factors affect a phone's performance, including LTE/5G signal, battery life, and background tasks. Therefore, we typically begin our evaluations with a fully charged handset, with all background tasks closed, and with as stable a mobile connection as possible.
Camera quality: ZDNET tests phone cameras by capturing hundreds of photos and videos of various subjects and in various lighting conditions. We also compare the output to that of older models.
Battery life and charging: We evaluate how long phones last under light, moderate, and heavy usage, how long they take to recharge, and how they do it (wired, wireless, or both).
Special features: These features distinguish tested devices from a bustling smartphone market and hopefully bring added value to users, not the opposite.
Pricing and availability: Beyond budget considerations, we also note if a phone is available in the US or only internationally.

For an extensive rundown of our testing methodology, be sure to check out our how we test phones article.

Wireless charging is a convenient way to charge your phone without having to plug in a USB-C cord directly into the phone. But not all of these phones have support for the feature. The OnePlus Open and Moto G (2025) in particular don't offer wireless charging. But their fast wired charging makes up for it. Other phones on the list -- including all the iPhones, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, OnePlus 13 and Pixel 9a -- support this feature.

Latest information on these phones in 2025

The recent US tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.

Smartphones are among the most affected by the new US tariffs, with devices imported from China and Vietnam facing steep duties that could raise retail prices by 20% or more. Brands like Apple and Google, which rely heavily on Asian manufacturing, may either pass these costs on to consumers or absorb them at the expense of profit margins.

The tariffs could also lead to delays in product launches or shifts in where and how phones are made, forcing companies to diversify production to countries with more favorable trade conditions.

Right now, it looks like some tech may be exempt from the issued tariffs, but since it's always changing and developing, we are keeping an eye on it and will update you on the latest.

Also: Tariff exemptions for electronics offer a break for tech - but not for long

Latest updates

In our latest April update, we tested the iPhone 16e and added it as our recommendation for best battery life on a compact phone, replacing the iPhone 16.
Our April update also included our latest tested phone, the Google Pixel 9a, which replaces the OnePlus 12R for the best battery life on a phone under $500.
We also replaced the Galaxy S24 Ultra with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, iPhone 16 Plus with OnePlus 13 and Moto G Power (2024) with Moto G (2025).