Apple has done it again. The latest battery life tests for the iPhone 16 series are in, and the results are nothing short of impressive.
For consumers who preordered the new models, this weekend will be a time to unbox their devices and test out the features they’ve been eagerly waiting for—especially battery life. If the real-world tests are anything to go by, the iPhone 16 lineup promises to outperform expectations, offering notable gains across all models.
What stands out the most is that even the base iPhone 16 model is coming close to the battery life of last year’s iPhone 15 Pro Max—a flagship device. That’s a significant leap for the entry-level phone and suggests that Apple has made serious strides in battery performance across its entire lineup.
A Step Forward in Battery Life for All iPhone 16 Models
Let’s break down the test results. In Tom’s Guide battery tests, which involve continuous web surfing over a mobile connection at 150 nits of brightness, all four iPhone 16 models outperformed their iPhone 15 counterparts:
- iPhone 16: 12 hours and 43 minutes
- iPhone 16 Plus: 16 hours and 29 minutes
- iPhone 16 Pro: 14 hours and 7 minutes
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: 18 hours and 6 minutes
By comparison, last year’s iPhone 15 models delivered:
- iPhone 15: 11 hours and 5 minutes
- iPhone 15 Plus: 14 hours and 14 minutes
- iPhone 15 Pro: 10 hours and 53 minutes
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: 14 hours and 2 minutes
The improvement is across the board, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max outperforming its predecessor by over four hours, and even the smaller models lasting longer than before. Apple has certainly lived up to its claim of better battery life, and the numbers speak for themselves.
iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 15: A Closer Look
What’s most surprising is the performance of the entry-level iPhone 16. Lasting nearly 13 hours, it’s just one hour shy of the iPhone 15 Pro Max from last year. For a device that’s meant to be the most affordable in the lineup, this is a huge improvement. Apple’s vague statements about “bigger batteries” during the launch event may have left some guessing, but now we can see the impact clearly.
The iPhone 16 Pro, meanwhile, outlasts the 15 Pro Max by five minutes, and nearly two hours compared to the 15 Pro. That’s a substantial gain, especially for users looking for a balance between premium features and battery performance.
Bigger Batteries, Better Chips, and New Innovations
So, how did Apple pull this off? The A18 chip, which powers the iPhone 16 models, is more efficient than previous chips, allowing the devices to stretch battery life further. Apple also increased the battery size across all models, although exact battery capacities are yet to be revealed—likely to come through teardowns in the coming weeks.
Rumors about Apple introducing new battery innovations seem to be validated by these results. It’s not just about making the battery bigger, but also smarter and more efficient. This combination of larger batteries, improved chips, and better battery technology has given Apple a competitive edge, especially when stacked up against Android rivals.
How Does the iPhone 16 Compare to Android Competitors?
It’s worth noting how the iPhone 16 models perform compared to flagship Android devices like the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Google Pixel 9. The Galaxy S24 Ultra lasted for 16 hours and 46 minutes in the same test, putting it on par with the iPhone 16 Plus. The base Google Pixel 9 lasted for 13 hours and 18 minutes, which means it only slightly outperforms the entry-level iPhone 16.
While these Android devices still hold their own, Apple’s real-world battery improvements put the iPhone 16 lineup in an extremely competitive position. And given that Apple typically tunes its software for better long-term battery performance, these early results might just be the beginning.
What This Means for Users
For the average user, the iPhone 16’s battery life means less stress about charging throughout the day. Whether you go for the smaller iPhone 16 or the larger Pro Max, you’re looking at a device that can easily get you through a full day—or in the case of the larger models, nearly two days—of normal use. The Plus and Pro Max models, in particular, are a great option for anyone who values battery life above all else.
And if you’re someone who likes to customize your settings for even better performance, you can squeeze even more battery life out of the iPhone 16 Pros by disabling the Always-On display. These simple tweaks will make an already impressive battery life even more reliable.
Closing Thoughts
Apple has clearly put a lot of thought into improving battery life for the iPhone 16 series, and it shows. With the A18 chip, larger batteries, and rumored battery innovations, the company has delivered on its promise to make the iPhone 16 a powerhouse in terms of endurance. For anyone who’s preordered the iPhone 16 or is still deciding, the real-life battery test results should provide plenty of confidence that your new device will last longer than ever before.
The fact that the base iPhone 16 nearly matches last year’s Pro Max is a testament to how far Apple has come in battery technology. With competition heating up in the smartphone market, this move solidifies Apple’s standing as a leader in delivering reliable and long-lasting performance.
If you’re worried about battery life, the iPhone 16 series may just put your concerns to rest—no matter which model you choose.
