When choosing a new smartphone, battery life is a crucial factor to consider — it’s often a deal-maker or breaker for me. While the latest smartphones boast snappy performance and versatile cameras, only a select few truly excel in battery life. Typically, larger phones provide the best battery backup, thanks to their bigger batteries. You can’t beat physics with software tricks — at least not yet.
Most of the smartphones on this list feature displays measuring 6.7 inches or larger, but there’s also a compact option for those who prefer smaller devices. From battery-focused Motorola phones to the best foldable phones, we’ve included options across a price range of $300 to $1,500, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Also: The best Android phones 2024: 30+ expert tested phones
Which smartphone is best 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 S24 Ultra at a close second. Both phones offer great cameras, bright displays, powerful performance, AI features, and a battery life that will last you an entire day on a single charge. Read on for the rest of our tested picks for the best phones for battery life.
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The best phones for battery life in 2024
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The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a big step up from the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Thanks to its new, more efficient processor, the latest iPhone model doesn’t heat up uncomfortably when gaming or navigating. The new iPhone holds the charge for longer since almost none of it is lost in heat. You can expect a fully charged battery to last you more than a day or even two in moderate use. Moreover, it can now charge faster on MagSafe. Apple promises up to 50% charge in 35 minutes with either wired or wireless charging.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is now bigger than before with a 6.9-inch display. While the bezels have been minimized, Apple also has added a few millimeters in height to make the handset borderline unwieldy. People with big hands shouldn’t have problems, though.
Also: We’ve used every iPhone 16 model and here’s our best buying advice
That said, you can’t go wrong with this year’s top-of-the-line iPhone. You get Camera Control that frees up the viewfinder when shooting photos and videos, a variety of new Photographic styles, an upgraded ultrawide camera, a display that can go down to 1 nit brightness for better legibility in the dark, Apple Intelligence-ready hardware, and more.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max specs: Processor: Apple A18 Pro | Display: 6.9 inches | Storage options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Rear cameras: 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide and macro, 12MP telephoto (5x) | Front camera: 12MP | Battery capacity: N/A
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The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra offers the best battery backup on a flagship Android phone. In my two months using the device, the 5,000mAh battery consistently lasted me through a full day. While it offers what you’d expect from a flagship — great cameras, excellent display, powerful performance, and long software support — it’s filled to the brim with extras, too.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with Galaxy AI that brings a slew of generative capabilities, including real-time phone call translations, the ability to circle an object on screen to perform an image-based Google search, AI-assisted photo editing and transcriptions, and more.
Review: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The one-of-a-kind display is the least reflective panel on any phone right now. It’s a joy to read and browse on this screen. Plus, you get the S Pen that comes in handy when you need to quickly jot down notes or sign a document on the go.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra might be a few months old, but it still stands tall among your phone choices. And it’s expected to stand the test of time with Samsung offering seven years of software support. It’s built to last.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Display size: 6.8 inches | Storage options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Rear cameras: 200MP main, 12MP 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. Also, the smartphone’s big battery charges at 67W to deliver up to 75% charge in 30 minutes.
The OnePlus Open 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.
Review: OnePlus Open
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.
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 iPhone 16 Plus is rated to last up to two hours more than the iPhone 15 Plus, which was already great on battery life. The iPhone 15 Plus used to last me an entire day, and you can expect the new Plus iPhone to get you through the day with ease. Apple also has introduced faster MagSafe wireless charging, which is rated to charge the device up to 50% within 30 minutes — the same as wired charging.
The iPhone 16 Plus is the closest a regular iPhone has been to the Pro models. Unlike past years, you get the same Action Button, Camera Control and Dynamic Island on the hardware and Apple Intelligence, 1 nit brightness, and new Photographic Styles on the software.
Review: iPhone 16 Plus
If you are coming from a previous non-Pro iPhone, the iPhone 16 Plus is the best choice as you’ll likely not be able to notice the lack of 120Hz ProMotion display. This is the phone to get if you prioritize battery life and have a budget of $1,000.
Apple iPhone 16 Plus tech specs: Processor: Apple A18 | Display size: 6.7 inches | Storage options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | Rear cameras: 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide | Front camera: 12MP | Battery: N/A
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It’s true, this year’s iPhones have the best battery life since the iPhone 13. It’s hard to pick a compact phone for good battery life but if you are adamant about getting a 6.1-inch screen size but want the best battery life, the iPhone 16 is for you.
Like the iPhone 16 Plus, it borrows a lot of features from the more expensive Pro models. From the new Camera Control to the trickle-down of the Action button to the regular iPhones, the base variant has it all. The iPhone 16 also features an upgraded camera setup with a 48MP Fusion camera, designed to capture high-res, detailed photos.
Also: We’ve used every iPhone 16 model and here’s our best buying advice
In terms of performance, the A18 Bionic is powerful and Apple Intelligence-ready, unlike the processor found on its predecessor. Plus, you’ll get long software support and new features like Photographic Styles and Audio Mix.
Apple iPhone 16 tech specs: Processor: Apple A18 | Display size: 6.1 inches | Storage options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | Rear cameras: 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide | Front camera: 12MP | Battery: N/A
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The OnePlus 12R is often considered a Pixel 8a alternative, but I like it better than the Google phone because it lasts longer and charges faster. The budget OnePlus phone houses a flagship processor that’s efficient and powerful. In my time with the OnePlus 12R earlier this year, it consistently gave me a day’s worth of battery life, with about 15% remaining at bedtime.
It’s also the fastest-charging phone on this list. The OnePlus 12R supports 80W fast charging, and you’ll have a fully charged phone by the time you get ready for the day. I tested the one with 100W charging, which goes from 10% to 100% within 25 minutes. The $500 phone is powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor that powers the $1,200 OnePlus Open, so you get the same snappy performance.
Review: OnePlus 12R
The OnePlus 12R’s display is the best you can get in this price range. Plus, it has a feature called Aqua Touch that makes it easy to use in rainy conditions when water droplets are on the screen. It doesn’t register fake taps, like on the iPhone. If you want a mid-range phone with good battery life, the OnePlus 12R is your best bet.
OnePlus 12R tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Display size: 6.8 inches | Storage options: 128GB, 256GB | Rear cameras: 50MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro | Front camera: 16MP | Battery: 5,500mAh
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The Moto G Power 5G (2024) is our pick for the best budget phone with a long-lasting battery backup. This battery-focused device can last up to two days on moderate use and charges at 30W with a wired charger and 15W with a wireless charger.
The Moto G Power 5G (2024) sports a big LCD, which isn’t as vivid as the other models on this list but is plenty good for day-to-day usage. The MediaTek Dimensity 7020 SoC is powerful and snappy enough for the segment. It features a 50MP primary camera that clicks good photos in daylight, while the 8MP macro camera is passable.
Review: Moto G Power 5G (2024)
You should buy the Moto G Power 5G (2024) if you are on a $300 budget. Currently, it’s selling for $250, making it an even sweeter deal.
Moto G Power 5G (2024) specs: Display: 6.7 inches | Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7020 | Cameras: 50MP primary, 8MP macro | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB | Battery: 5,000mAh
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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, the Galaxy S24 Ultra will serve you the best. We haven’t included small phones on this list because when prioritizing battery life, you should opt for a bigger phone for the best possible results.
| 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 S24 Ultra | $1,050 | 6.7 inches | 5,000mAh | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| OnePlus Open | $1,200 | 6.3-inches and 7.8-inches | 4,805mAh | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| Apple iPhone 16 Plus | $899 | 6.7 inches | N/A (Rated: 50% charge in 30 minutes) |
A18 Pro |
| OnePlus 12R | $499 | 6.8 inches | 5,500mAh | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Motorola Moto G Power 5G | $249 | 6.7 inches | 5,000mAh | Dimensity 7020 |
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. 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 S24 Ultra | The best battery life on an Android flagship |
| OnePlus Open | A foldable phone that delivers an all-day battery life |
| Apple iPhone 16 Plus | A big iPhone if you don’t want to spend more than $1,000 |
| Apple iPhone 16 | A compact phone with best possible battery life |
| OnePlus 12R | The best phone under $500 with flagship prowess |
| Motorola Moto G Power 5G | 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 OnePlus 12R in particular don’t offer wireless charging. But their super fast wired charging makes up for it. Other phones on the list — including all the iPhones, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and the Moto G Power 5G — support this feature.
If you’re open to alternatives, see below for ZDNET’s best-tested picks, including ones from Google and other brands.
Smartphones Reviewed & Compared