iPhone 17 Pro Max Battery Endurance Tested: Lasts 13 Hours with Physical SIM, Surpassing Galaxy S25 Ultra

When selecting a smartphone, battery life is a paramount consideration for most consumers. This year, Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max has made significant strides in this area, affirming that its enhancements are more than just theoretical. Through rigorous real-world testing, Apple has showcased a device that not only meets but exceeds its promised performance metrics. The combination of a larger battery, improved thermodynamics, and the innovative A19 Pro chip contribute to what many are calling the most notable battery life improvement in recent years.

Unprecedented Battery Performance: 13 Hours of Daily Use

In a comprehensive evaluation by YouTuber Mrwhosetheboss, the iPhone 17 Pro Max demonstrated its superiority by significantly outperforming Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra in practical usage. Remarkably, the testing was conducted on the UK variant which still utilizes a physical SIM slot, contrasting the North American version that opts for eSIM technology. Apple indicates that the eSIM models may enjoy minimal battery enhancements due to their slightly larger capacity.

The results were impressive: the iPhone 17 Pro Max achieved a substantial runtime of 13 hours before powering down, surpassing the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s 12 hours and 15 minutes. While that 45-minute difference may appear modest, it is enough to relieve the worry of battery depletion during critical times. Notably, last year’s iPhone 16 Pro Max had already bested the Galaxy S25 Ultra, recording a respectable 11 hours and 50 minutes.

In evaluating smaller models, however, the story was less favorable. The iPhone Air came in last at just 7 hours and 18 minutes of usage, highlighting the trade-off that comes with its ultra-slim design. The standard iPhone 17 performed moderately better at 10 hours and 28 minutes, while the iPhone 17 Pro pushed the limits a bit further with 10 hours and 48 minutes, benefiting from increased chip efficiency and enhanced thermal management.

Rather than relying solely on controlled playback metrics, the test was designed to mimic real-life scenarios, including activities such as scrolling through social apps, toggling productivity tools like Slack, capturing video, and streaming music. This diverse range of tasks places a heavier demand on battery life compared to simple video playback, casting doubt on Apple’s official 35-hour streaming claim. The iPhone 17 Pro Max’s performance in this more rigorous environment renders its battery life results significantly more relevant for everyday users.

Currently, the iPhone 17 Pro Max holds the crown for battery longevity, yet it will be intriguing to see how competitors respond. Samsung is expected to introduce the Galaxy S26 Ultra, powered by the new Exynos 2600 chip built on a 2nm architecture, which promises substantial efficiency improvements to enhance battery performance even further.

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