Best iPhone battery life ranked [Updated for iPhone 17]

Your phone dying halfway through the day is one of life's small but very annoying problems. So we've done the legwork to keep things simple — here's every current iPhone ranked by how long its battery life actually lasts.

Which iPhone has the best battery life right now?

The iPhone 17 Pro Max. No contest.

Independent testing by tech YouTuber MrWhoseTheBoss — who puts every iPhone through the same real-life routine of streaming, gaming, scrolling and app-switching — found the 17 Pro Max lasted over 13 hours. That's the longest any iPhone has ever survived his test.

If you want the full video: MrWhoseTheBoss — iPhone 17 Ultimate Battery Test.

Latest iPhones ranked by battery life

1st – iPhone 17 Pro Max – 13hrs 35mins+

2nd – iPhone 17 Pro – ~10–11hrs

3rd – iPhone 16 Pro Max – ~11–12hrs

4th – iPhone 16e – ~11hrs 20mins

5th – iPhone 17 – ~10–11hrs

6th – iPhone 16 Plus – 8hrs 45mins

7th – iPhone 16 Pro – 8hrs 19mins

8th – iPhone 16 – 8hrs 19mins

9th – iPhone 15 Pro Max – 9hrs 35mins*

10th – iPhone Air – ~7hrs 18mins

11th – iPhone 15 – 7hrs 45mins

*The 15 Pro Max is no longer Apple's newest, but it's still a strong performer — and at refurbished prices, it's great value.

A few things worth knowing from this list:

The iPhone 16e is the surprise package. It's Apple's most affordable iPhone right now, but it outlasted the standard iPhone 16 in testing by over an hour. If you're not fussed about having the very latest, it's a genuinely brilliant option for battery life.

The iPhone Air comes near last despite being brand new. It's incredibly thin, which means less room for battery. Great if you want a slim phone. Not great if you want to make it to the end of the day without searching for a charger.

Is it worth upgrading to the iPhone 17 series for battery alone?

Depends what you're coming from.

Upgrading from an iPhone 15 or older? Yes, you'll feel the difference. Even the standard iPhone 17 is a meaningful step up.

Upgrading from an iPhone 16? The base models are similar. The 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max are where the real improvement is.

Already on an iPhone 16 Pro Max? The 17 Pro Max is better, but not dramatically. You're looking at roughly an extra hour or two in daily use.

Watching your budget? The iPhone 16e offers some of the best battery life of any current iPhone at a great value. It's the one we'd point most people to if they don't need all the bells and whistles.

iPhone battery sizes

If you like the numbers, here's how the current lineup compares.

1st – iPhone 17 Pro Max – 5,088 mAh

2nd – iPhone 16 Pro Max – 4,685 mAh

3rd – iPhone 16 Plus – 4,674 mAh

4th – iPhone 16e – ~4,005 mAh

5th – iPhone 15 Pro Max – 4,422 mAh

6th – iPhone 15 Plus – 4,383 mAh

7th – iPhone 16 Pro – 3,582 mAh

8th – iPhone 16 – 3,561 mAh

9th – iPhone 15 – 3,349 mAh

10th – iPhone 14 – 3,279 mAh

What does mAh mean? It stands for milliampere hours — basically a measure of how much charge the battery can hold. More mAh generally means longer battery life, but the chip inside matters just as much. That's why the iPhone 16e, with its newer and more efficient modem, punches above its weight despite being the cheaper model.

So, what should you actually buy?

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the clear winner. But for most people, the iPhone 16 Pro Max or 15 Pro Max hit a great balance of battery and value — especially if you pick one up refurbished.

Our partner Reboxed® sells certified refurbished iPhones, all checked over before they're sold — including a full battery health assessment that covers cycle count, health percentage, and charge capacity.

Choosing a refurbished iPhone through Reboxed® can save you hundreds of pounds, and you still get a phone that'll easily last a full day. Go through SMARTY and get extra money off.

Want more ways to keep costs down? Read 5 ways to save money on your next iPhone.

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Battery life results based on testing by MrWhoseTheBoss.Real-world results vary by how you use your phone.