iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: which one breaks the battery record?

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has once again set another milestone. In the field of battery life, this year’s iPhones have seen significant improvements, and it shows. In the comprehensive test conducted annually by PhoneBuff, the iPhone 16 Pro Max went head-to-head with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, demonstrating a very clear superiority in terms of battery life.

One hour more than Samsung’s best phone

While other tests test the iPhone 16’s fast charging, this one, carried out using its well-known robotic arm to ensure equal conditions, subjected both devices to a variety of scenarios similar to everyday use. The tests included using social networks, sending messages, playing music and videos, browsing the web, and using applications like maps.

Here the iPhone 16 Pro Max managed to stay active for an impressive total of 28 hours and 14 minutes, with 12 hours and 14 minutes of screen time and 16 hours in standby mode. A figure that has set a new record in PhoneBuff’s tests, surpassing any other phone they have tested.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra did not fall short, without a doubt. With a duration of 27 hours and 18 minutes, 11 hours and 18 minutes of which were screen time, the phone holds up. It is not as much as the iPhone 15 Pro Max, however, which managed to offer an hour more battery life.

While it is worth emphasizing that the use of certain not sufficiently optimized applications take a toll on the iPhone’s battery, the truth is that the results are impressive. They would undoubtedly be more so if, instead of using Google Maps, Apple Maps were used, or if instead of using the YouTube app, which does not use hardware-accelerated codecs, YouTube was viewed from Safari. With this note made, it is clear that this year’s iPhones take a huge step forward in terms of battery. Something that allows us to enjoy them —whether we use a case or not— for much longer.