It can be frustrating to have to take portable chargers everywhere you go, constantly reaching for a cable at home, or simply ending up with a dead phone when you need it most.
With all of the amazing features and apps installed on our devices now, it can be difficult to find a phone capable of staying alive whilst using these services.
How is battery life measured?
Battery longevity is measured in mAh (milliamp hour). The higher the mAh, the more power the battery can hold, and the longer it can last in a day. Of course there are many other contributing factors to how long your phone will last, such as what apps you use, how often the screen is on, if you use Wi-Fi over 4G, or simply how old your phone is.
Whatever brand you’re looking for, we’ve got a bunch of recommendations for phones with the best battery life. To make for a fair comparison, we’re strictly looking at battery size, and if the handsets come with any battery-saving features.
Apple | Samsung | Sony | Huawei | Motorola | OnePlus
Apple
- iPhone 11 Pro Max - the newest in Apple’s numbered series, the iPhone 11 Pro Max has a battery capacity of 3969mAh. It offers a whopping 12 hours of internet use, which could equate to 3 days’ worth if you only used your phone for 4 hours.
- iPhone XS Max - if you don’t want the high price of the Pro Max, its predecessor is still an avid competitor with a battery of 3174mAh. With about 11 hours of battery life, the XS Max is a solid choice for longevity.
- iPhone XR - one step cheaper is the iPhone XR with a battery capacity of 2942mAh. With wireless Qi charging, the XR can last for most of the day.
Samsung
- Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra - the best battery performing Samsung phone to date, with an enormous battery capacity of 5000mAh. This is an almost unrivalled battery size and allows for 12 hours of life, but the price of the handset might put some people off.
- Samsung Galaxy A70 - this 2019 phone has a whopping 4500mAh battery capacity, rivalling many of its competitors in the market. With 24 hours of video playback, this Samsung model is not one to ignore if you’re on the hunt for a long-lasting phone.
- Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus - Matching the A70, its 4500mAh battery can stay alive all day. It is one of the most high-profile Android phones to date.
Sony
- Sony Xperia XZ3 - this Sony model has a Smart Stamina feature which lets it get more juice out of its 3300mAh battery. Its 8 hour lifespan is also ensured by its Battery Care and Qnovo Adaptive Charging features.
Huawei
- Huawei Mate XS - this foldable phone may be on the higher end of some people’s budget, but its 4500mAh may be worth it for the avid mobile users. Due to its tablet-like screen size, it will use up more battery than a smaller phone, but you can still reap the benefits of its long-lasting battery by keeping your screen brightness lower. It typically lasts for a whole day.
- Huawei P40 Pro - the 4200mAh battery is one of many perks of Huawei’s flagship model at the moment. It supports fast charging, so even when it does eventually drain after 1-2 days (depending on usage), you won’t have to wait long for it to perk up again.
- Huawei P20 - another within the P family, this Huawei model has a 3400mAh battery, meaning it can reliably last for the whole day if you’re not using it solely for video watching, which drains about 30% in 90 minutes. However, it does use SuperCharge charging to give you hours of use within mere minutes of being plugged in.
Motorola
- Moto G8 Power - this cheaper phone is no less worthy of praise than the more high-end brands. It has a 5000mAh battery, without the huge price tag. Some tests have shown that it is capable of lasting up to three days.
- Moto E5 - another viable contender, the E5 has a capacity of 4000mAh, which can last more than 24 hours. Paired with its 10W rapid charger, getting to the end of the day with power still left will not be an issue for typical phone users.
- Moto G6 - the 3000mAh battery can last for approximately half the day (8 hours) on a single charge. It is powered by a TurboPower charger, which means you won’t have to wait very long to use your phone again if it does run out quicker from the use of data and videos.
OnePlus
- OnePlus 8 Pro - this upgraded phone sports a 4510mAh battery, which can last for almost two days if you don’t use data or other fast-draining activities like video watching. Even if you did, it would only reduce to around a day, which is still longer than some other phones. It supports wireless charging, so you can recharge without the need for a cable.
- OnePlus 8 - the predecessor to the Pro, this model is still a good option, as its battery is only a little bit less at 4300mAh. It should last for around a whole day, maybe two at a stretch if you don’t use it so frequently.
Tips for getting the most out of your phone’s battery
Here are a few things you can do to minimise how quickly your battery runs out:
- Keep your phone out of the sun - hot batteries hold their charge for a shorter amount of time, so try to keep your phone in the shade. When it gets hot from overuse or external temperatures, it will start running out of power more quickly than if it stays cool.
- Don’t charge to 100% - a battery that remains at 100% for a long stretch of time (so if you have your phone on charge all night) is put under stress, which is more likely to reduce the lifespan.
- Use battery saver when needed - many phones have the option to have battery saver mode turned on automatically when the power depletes to a certain level. This cuts out background services that drain your battery quicker.
- Dim the brightness - having your phone on full brightness all day will use up your battery. Consider lowering it, but not to the point where you’re straining to see.
- Buy a portable charger - these can recharge your phone when out and about.
And there you have it - the phones with the best battery life at the time of writing. Considering buying a new handset? You can shop our range online. Already have a phone with a good battery but want a better network? Check out our SIM only bundles.
