In the bustling world of smartphones, where new models arrive with dazzling frequency, one feature consistently reigns supreme in the minds of everyday users: battery life. There’s nothing quite like the peace of mind that comes from knowing your device can keep pace with your busiest days, from morning meetings to late-night scrolls, without constantly searching for an outlet. As a senior media editor who’s witnessed nearly two decades of phone evolution, I can tell you that the competition to deliver sustained power has never been fiercer, particularly as we dive headfirst into the ‘New Phone season.’
This is the exhilarating time of year when manufacturers unveil their latest marvels, packed with innovations that push the boundaries of mobile technology. While impressive cameras and lightning-fast processors often grab headlines, the true unsung hero for many is the cell that powers it all. We’ve enlisted the expertise of the entire phone reviews team at Tom’s Guide, drawing on nearly five decades of collective experience, to scrutinize these devices through rigorous lab tests and extensive real-world usage.
Our mission is to cut through the noise and present you with a definitive guide to the smartphones that truly excel in battery endurance for 2025. We’re not just looking at raw hours; we’re assessing how these devices integrate their power management with top-tier performance, groundbreaking AI, and sophisticated camera systems to offer a truly comprehensive user experience. Get ready to discover which handsets will reliably keep you connected and productive, liberating you from the constant anxiety of a dwindling battery percentage.
1. **iPhone 17 Pro Max: The Endurance Champion**Taking the crown for overall best phone, the iPhone 17 Pro Max truly sets a new standard for battery longevity within Apple’s lineup and across the broader smartphone landscape. Our exhaustive battery test, which simulates continuous web surfing over cellular until the device yields, saw this powerhouse endure an astonishing 17 hours and 54 minutes. This figure isn’t just impressive; it’s practically a marathon compared to the average smartphone, which typically struggles to surpass the 10-hour mark. Even its closest predecessor, the iPhone 16 Plus, lagged behind with around 16.5 hours.
Beyond its remarkable staying power, the iPhone 17 Pro Max delivers an unparalleled performance experience, driven by Apple’s formidable A19 Pro chipset. While Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite is a strong contender, the A19 Pro demonstrated superior speed in specific tasks, such as transcoding a video in half the time it took the Galaxy S25 Ultra. This raw processing power, coupled with innovative vapor chamber cooling, ensures the phone operates at peak performance even under demanding loads, without overheating.
Photography enthusiasts will find much to admire in its camera system, which benefits from notable improvements. Apple has traded the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s 12MP 5x optical zoom for a more versatile 48MP telephoto lens, offering 4x optical zoom and achieving ‘optical-quality’ results at 8x magnification. The addition of an 18MP Center Stage front camera further enhances the selfie experience, making shooting more convenient. However, where the iPhone 17 Pro Max truly remains untouchable is in its low-light performance; night mode photos are consistently brighter, sharper, and more detailed than those captured by competing flagships.
From a design perspective, the iPhone 17 Pro Max boasts a stunning new two-toned aesthetic, marking the biggest visual change to the Pro Max series since its inception. It also features a brighter, less reflective display that enhances viewing in various conditions. While some might find it a bit heavier and thicker than its predecessor, these trade-offs are minor when considering the substantial boosts in performance, photographic capabilities, and, crucially, that obscenely long battery life. Despite its premium $1,199 price tag, which mirrors its predecessor, the faster A19 Pro chip and bigger battery represent a significant upgrade in value, especially when Samsung’s top model costs $100 more.
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2. **Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: AI Prowess Meets Sustained Power**The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, while initially taking a back seat to the iPhone 17 Pro Max for the top overall spot, remains an absolute titan in the smartphone arena, particularly excelling as the best camera phone and offering truly impressive battery life. Despite not increasing its battery size from the S24 Ultra, this year’s model managed to outlast its predecessor by 45 minutes on our battery test, logging an outstanding 17 hours and 14 minutes of continuous web surfing. This achievement marks it as the longest-lasting Samsung device we’ve ever tested, a testament to the power efficiency gains from the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset within.
Samsung has strategically pivoted its focus for the S25 Ultra towards significant enhancements in its Galaxy AI features, pushing mobile AI to an entirely new level. Users can now enjoy advanced functionalities like cross-app actions, allowing the digital assistant to interact seamlessly across both Samsung and Google apps, as well as popular third-party applications like WhatsApp and Spotify. The ability to issue a single command that triggers multiple actions – such as looking up an event, adding it to a calendar, and texting the details to a friend – exemplifies the practical intelligence embedded in this device. The Personal Data Engine, designed to learn your preferences and feed relevant information to the new Now Brief screen, further personalizes the user experience, promising to evolve and improve over time.
On the photographic front, the Galaxy S25 Ultra continues to impress, largely due to an upgraded 50MP ultrawide sensor and significant advancements in its ProVisual Engine. In a head-to-head comparison against the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the S25 Ultra emerged victorious in more rounds, particularly distinguishing itself in zoom capabilities, selfie quality, and low-light performance. It even proves to be superior in zooming compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, making it an ideal choice for those who demand the utmost in photographic versatility and detail from their smartphone.
Powering this sophisticated ecosystem is an overclocked version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which delivers some of the finest performance observed on an Android device. While some specialized gaming phones might edge it out in raw benchmarks, the S25 Ultra provides ample processing muscle for all AI tasks, demanding applications, and graphically intense games. Its larger, brighter display ensures that all content, from streaming videos to intricate gaming worlds, is rendered with stunning clarity and vibrancy. The $1,299 price tag is certainly premium, but the wealth of AI innovations, enhanced cameras, and extended battery life make it a compelling proposition for users seeking a feature-rich Android flagship.
3. **Google Pixel 9a: Unbeatable Value with Enhanced Endurance**For those who appreciate cutting-edge technology without the flagship price tag, the Google Pixel 9a stands out as an incredibly compelling option, proving that budget phones can indeed rival premium models. Google’s decision to maintain the Pixel 9a’s price at a very accessible $499, matching its predecessor, is a welcome relief, especially when competitors like the iPhone 16e are now priced at $599. This strategic pricing, combined with a host of upgrades, positions the Pixel 9a as the budget phone to beat, offering exceptional value and, notably, improved battery life.
During our web surfing battery test, the Pixel 9a impressively lasted 13 hours and 8 minutes, a significant improvement of over 2 hours compared to the Pixel 8a’s time of 11 hours and 21 minutes. This enhanced longevity is directly attributable to its larger 5,100 mAh battery and the power-efficient Tensor G4 chip. This extended endurance ensures that even on its modest budget, users can expect better-than-average battery performance, often getting through a full day of use without needing to scramble for a charger.
The Tensor G4 chip is not just about efficiency; it’s the heart of the Pixel 9a’s AI capabilities, bringing nearly all the feature set found on the pricier Pixel 9 flagships. Users can enjoy advanced photo-editing tools like Pixel Studio and Add Me, which make creative adjustments effortless. Furthermore, Google’s unique call management features, such as the Call Screen, which allows Google Assistant to handle calls and offer contextual responses, remain a standout AI offering, making daily interactions smoother and less intrusive. While some advanced AI features requiring more RAM are reserved for the higher-end Pixels, the 9a still delivers a remarkably intelligent experience.
Camera performance sees substantial upgrades, even with a return to a more traditional, nearly flush camera design. The 48MP main camera, paired with a 13MP ultrawide, now boasts a wider f/1.7 aperture, which significantly enhances its ability to capture stunning photos in low-light conditions. Furthermore, the Pixel 9a finally gains a proper macro mode and an astrophotography mode, expanding its photographic versatility. In a direct camera face-off against the iPhone 16e, the Pixel 9a demonstrated superior performance, reinforcing its status as a top-tier midrange camera phone.
With seven years of promised software and security updates, mirroring Google’s flagship offerings, the Pixel 9a isn’t just a smart purchase for today; it’s a long-term investment. Its vibrant 6.3-inch Actua display, coupled with its enhanced battery life and advanced AI features, makes it a fantastic option for anyone seeking a powerful, intelligent, and affordable smartphone. It consistently proves how budget-friendly devices can truly contend with, and even surpass, more expensive models in critical areas.
Read more about: Unlocking Photographic Potential: The Ultimate Guide to Budget Smartphones with Exceptional Camera Quality for Every Photographer
4. **Google Pixel 10 Pro: The Pinnacle of AI Intelligence and Reliable Battery**Google continues to champion AI as the cornerstone of its smartphone strategy, and the Pixel 10 Pro exemplifies this philosophy, solidifying its position as the smartest phone available. While Apple and Samsung have recently intensified their AI integrations, Google, having initiated its AI-focused Tensor chipset journey with the Pixel 6, demonstrates a seasoned prowess in this domain. With the Tensor G5 powering the Pixel 10 Pro, our extensive AI phone face-off concluded that Google’s AI tools are, in fact, the most capable among all platforms.
Battery life, historically a mixed bag for Pixel phones, shows significant strides with the Pixel 10 Pro, continuing the positive trend established by its predecessor. Equipped with a 4,870 mAh battery and the more efficient Tensor G5 chipset, the device achieved a respectable 13 hours and 43 minutes in our web surfing test. While this may trail the comparably sized iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25 models, it comfortably surpasses the 10-hour average for other smartphones, providing users with confidence that their Pixel 10 Pro can reliably endure a full day on a single charge.
The Pixel 10 Pro’s strength lies not in raw benchmark speeds, where it might trail other top Android phones and even the iPhone 16, but in its profound integration of AI features. The Tensor G5 powers a suite of incredibly helpful tools, such as the innovative Ask Photos feature, which allows users to edit photos using natural language prompts rather than fiddling with individual editing tools. Whether through text or speech, the AI handles the complex editing tasks. Furthermore, beloved features like Best Take receive automatic upgrades, and Add Me now supports larger groups and even pets, enhancing the phone’s ability to create perfect memories.
While hardware camera improvements are modest, essentially mirroring last year’s setup, the Pixel 10 Pro’s photographic prowess hinges on its sophisticated photo processing, which remains exceptionally strong. It consistently produces well-composed shots with fine details. Unique capabilities like Camera Coach and a remarkable 100X ProRes Zoom, which intelligently blends optical, digital, and generative AI for surprisingly clear long-distance shots, compensate for the lack of new sensors. There’s also the Magic Cue assistant, a promising feature designed to surface vital information from Google apps precisely when you need it most, such as tracking information or travel plans, though it still requires some polishing to reach its full potential.
With a consistent $999 price tag, mirroring the Pixel 9 Pro, the Pixel 10 Pro offers a brighter display and the convenience of Qi2 magnetic wireless charging, alongside its core AI and battery enhancements. For those willing to invest in an AI-forward future, the Pixel 10 Pro provides a compelling package of intelligent features, reliable battery performance, and excellent photographic output, making it an outstanding choice for users prioritizing smart functionality and day-long endurance.
5. **OnePlus 13: The Android Flagship Value with Unrivaled Stamina**The OnePlus 13 has emphatically asserted its position as a serious contender in the Android flagship space, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with devices from Samsung and Google. Before the latest Galaxy S25 models arrived, many argued it was the premier choice for Android enthusiasts, and even now, with its cheaper price point, it remains a top-tier alternative. This phone delivers a comprehensive package, excelling in critical areas from powerful performance to, most notably, an almost unbelievable battery life, redefining what users can expect from an Android flagship at its price.
If you’re looking for sheer battery endurance, the OnePlus 13 is in a league of its own. Our rigorous battery test saw this device last an astounding 19 hours and 45 minutes of continuous web surfing, securing the second-best result we’ve ever recorded for a smartphone. This remarkable stamina is nearly 10 hours better than the average smartphone and translates directly into multi-day battery life for real-world usage, meaning you won’t need to charge your phone up during the day, or perhaps even for two days. This incredible feat is powered by a massive 6,000 mAh battery, expertly managed by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, truly setting a new benchmark for sustained power.
Beyond its epic battery life, the OnePlus 13 boasts a top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, ensuring it keeps pace with virtually any flagship on the market. While Samsung has optimized this chip for its S25 series, and gaming-focused phones like the ROG Phone 9 Pro might show marginally higher benchmarks in certain tests, the OnePlus 13 still outpaces the latest iPhones in graphics testing and holds its own in several CPU benchmarks. This ensures a fluid, responsive experience whether you’re gaming, multitasking, or navigating graphically intense applications.
The cameras, historically an area where OnePlus sometimes lagged, have undergone a significant transformation, largely thanks to its enduring partnership with lens specialist Hasselblad. The OnePlus 13’s cameras now perform better than any of their predecessors, producing very bright and colorful photos with excellent balance of external light sources. Low-light shots are impressive, and the phone displays a particular knack for capturing stunning portrait images, especially for subjects wearing glasses. While some scenarios might yield photos that are slightly too bright, potentially sacrificing warmth, the overall output confidently holds its own against leading camera phones like the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Despite a slight price hike to $899 from its predecessor, the OnePlus 13 still presents an exceptional value proposition, costing anywhere from $100 to $400 less than premium big-screen competitors while offering equivalent, if not superior, features in key areas like battery life. Its beautiful 6.82-inch OLED display further enhances the user experience, making it a compelling alternative for anyone seeking a powerful Android device with truly exceptional endurance and a refined camera system. The 80W fast charging (100W elsewhere) means topping up that massive battery is also remarkably quick, reaching 92% charge in just half an hour.
Moving beyond the top-tier flagships, our exploration into the smartphones delivering exceptional battery life continues, focusing on devices that offer distinct value propositions, innovative designs, and advanced AI features tailored for a broader spectrum of user needs and budgets. The mobile landscape of 2025 is rich with contenders that prove you don’t always need to opt for the most expensive model to secure a reliable, intelligent, and long-lasting device. Here, we delve into four additional standout phones that have truly impressed our review team.
6. **Google Pixel 10: Zoom Photography for Less**The Google Pixel 10 emerges as a highly compelling option for consumers who prioritize cutting-edge photographic capabilities, particularly in zoom, without the premium price tag of a Pro model. Positioned at a competitive $799, the Pixel 10 effectively sets a new benchmark for what users can expect from a smartphone in this price bracket. It represents Google’s commitment to democratizing advanced features, making sophisticated photography accessible to a wider audience.
Google has consistently leveraged its Tensor chipsets to integrate artificial intelligence deeply into its smartphone experience, and the Pixel 10 is no exception. It leans even more into AI, ensuring users benefit from intelligent optimizations across various functions, most notably in its camera system. This focus on AI-driven enhancements allows the device to deliver exceptional photographic results, especially in challenging scenarios that require advanced processing.
While specific hardware details for its zoom capabilities aren’t explicitly outlined for the Pixel 10 in the same depth as its Pro counterpart, its designation as offering “zoom photography for less” strongly implies that it inherits significant advancements from the Pixel 10 Pro. We’ve seen how the Pixel 10 Pro utilizes a remarkable 100X ProRes Zoom, blending optical, digital, and generative AI to produce surprisingly clear long-distance shots. It’s safe to infer that the Pixel 10 benefits from similar AI-powered computational photography for impressive zoom performance.
Beyond its camera prowess, the Pixel 10 is engineered to provide a reliable and intelligent daily experience. As part of a list highlighting phones with the best battery life, it delivers exceptional endurance, ensuring it comfortably sees users through a full day of mixed usage. This blend of smart AI features, advanced photographic capabilities, and robust battery performance at its price point makes the Pixel 10 a particularly attractive choice for those seeking premium features without breaking the bank.
Read more about: Unlocking Photographic Potential: The Ultimate Guide to Budget Smartphones with Exceptional Camera Quality for Every Photographer
7. **Nothing Phone 3a Pro: Best Alternative Value**For smartphone enthusiasts who crave something distinct from the mainstream offerings, the Nothing Phone 3a Pro presents itself as the “Best alternative value” on our list. In a market often dominated by a few major players, Nothing continues to carve out a niche with devices that blend unique aesthetics with solid performance, offering a refreshing departure for users seeking individuality without compromising on essential smartphone capabilities.
This device is positioned to offer a compelling package that stands out from typical mid-range contenders. While direct specifications for battery life are not provided, its inclusion in a guide to phones with the “Best Battery Life in 2025” implies that it, too, delivers exceptional endurance. This means users can expect reliable, day-long power, a crucial factor for any smartphone, especially for those looking for an an alternative daily driver.
Its designation as providing “alternative value” suggests a thoughtful balance of features and cost, appealing to users who are discerning about their tech choices but perhaps not tied to the most recognizable brands. This could encompass unique design elements, a refined user interface, or a focus on specific features that differentiate it in a crowded market. The value proposition here extends beyond raw specs to include the overall user experience and aesthetic.
The Nothing Phone 3a Pro therefore appeals to a specific segment of the market – those who appreciate innovation and a fresh perspective on smartphone design and functionality. It serves as a testament to the fact that compelling value can be found in devices that dare to be different, offering strong performance and, crucially, the power needed to keep up with modern demands.
Read more about: Unlocking Excellence: The 10 Best Phones of the Year, Ranked and Reviewed by Tech Experts
8. **iPhone 17: Best iPhone Value**The iPhone 17 marks a significant step forward for Apple’s base model, securing its position as the “best iPhone value” for 2025. It represents Apple’s commitment to bringing high-end features to a more accessible price point of $599, offering a formidable alternative to its Pro Max sibling without compromising on key advancements. This makes it an incredibly appealing option for a broad range of users who want the latest Apple innovations without the flagship cost.
This year’s iPhone 17 receives some of its “biggest upgrades in years,” making it a truly compelling device. Among these significant enhancements are a long-awaited 120Hz refresh rate display, providing incredibly smooth scrolling and a more responsive user experience, and double the storage capacity, addressing a common user need for more space for apps, photos, and videos. These upgrades alone dramatically enhance its utility and appeal, closing the gap with higher-tier models.
Crucially, the iPhone 17 also matches the advanced “Apple Intelligence features of the more expensive iPhone 17 Pro Max.” This means users can access Apple’s latest AI capabilities, from enhanced photo editing and smart suggestions to more intuitive interactions, all powered by the same underlying intelligence found in its premium counterparts. This integration of top-tier AI at a lower price point is a game-changer for the iPhone lineup.
Furthermore, as a featured phone on our list of devices with the best battery life, the iPhone 17 offers exceptional endurance. Users can confidently rely on it to power through their day, benefiting from Apple’s optimized hardware and software integration. Its blend of significant hardware upgrades, cutting-edge AI, and reliable battery life ensures that the iPhone 17 delivers outstanding value, making it a smart choice for anyone seeking a powerful and affordable iPhone experience.
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9. **Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: Best Foldable**The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 proudly holds the title of the “best foldable” phone on our esteemed list, representing the pinnacle of innovation in the rapidly evolving foldable smartphone market. Samsung has consistently pushed the boundaries of mobile design, and the Galaxy Z Flip 7, unveiled during the bustling “New Phone season,” showcases a unique blend of cutting-edge technology and elegant, compact design that truly captivates.
This device’s most striking feature is its “unique designs” – a hallmark of the Flip series that allows it to fold into a remarkably pocketable form factor, offering convenience and a distinct aesthetic appeal. Beyond its revolutionary design, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is also equipped with “great AI capabilities,” integrating Samsung’s advanced Galaxy AI features. These intelligent functionalities work seamlessly with its foldable nature, potentially enhancing user interactions with its cover screen or multi-tasking experience when unfolded.
While specific battery test figures for the Galaxy Z Flip 7 are not detailed, its inclusion in a list dedicated to the best battery life smartphones signifies that users can expect exceptional endurance from this innovative device. This is a crucial consideration for foldables, where power efficiency is paramount to ensure that the unique form factor doesn’t come at the expense of day-long usability. The optimizations in its hardware and software likely contribute to its impressive staying power.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 appeals to users who desire a phone that makes a statement, combining the practicality of a compact device with the versatility of a larger screen, all while benefiting from advanced AI and reliable battery performance. It stands as a testament to Samsung’s leadership in the foldable space, offering a truly unique smartphone experience that doesn’t compromise on the essential features modern users demand.
Read more about: Unlocking Excellence: The 10 Best Phones of the Year, Ranked and Reviewed by Tech Experts
In the ever-evolving landscape of smartphones, 2025 truly offers an embarrassment of riches when it comes to devices that not only dazzle with innovation but also deliver the essential, day-long power we all crave. From the endurance champions that set new benchmarks to the value-packed alternatives and groundbreaking foldables, it’s clear that manufacturers are keenly aware of what truly keeps users happy: a phone that can keep up. Whether you prioritize raw power, photographic artistry, intelligent AI, or a unique form factor, there’s an exceptional device out there with the battery life to match your ambition, ensuring you stay connected, productive, and entertained, no matter where your day takes you. The ‘New Phone season’ has truly gifted us with devices that empower choice and liberate us from the charging cable.
