iPhone 17 Pro Max Outperforms Galaxy S25 Ultra in Latest Battery Drain Test, While Pixel 10 Pro XL Struggles to Keep Up

The recent battery drain test results have painted an intriguing picture in the ongoing rivalry between leading smartphones. While the Galaxy S25 Ultra previously triumphed in a speed test, the tables have turned as Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max has emerged victorious in the latest battery endurance trial. Meanwhile, the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s performance serves as a reminder that Google may need to enhance its offerings in this fierce competition.

Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max Dominates in Battery Endurance Test

The battery drain test, conducted by PhoneBuff, kicked off with a familiar scenario: the iPhone 17 Pro Max quickly established a lead over both the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Pixel 10 Pro XL. However, the true challenge arose during the web browsing segment, where the A19, Snapdragon 8 Elite, and Tensor G5 chips were pushed to their limits to determine which system-on-chip (SoC) delivered the best energy efficiency. Unexpectedly, the Galaxy S25 Ultra showcased improved performance at this stage, but the competition was far from settled.

As the test progressed to the Instagram segment, the demands on the devices increased. All three smartphones feature LTPO OLED displays, allowing for refresh rates of up to 120Hz to optimize performance and drop to 1Hz for battery conservation. Despite their shared technology, the iPhone 17 Pro Max outperformed its counterparts in this category by displaying superior energy efficiency.

The 16-hour standby test, which the Galaxy S25 Ultra excelled in, provided a glimpse of a potential win for Samsung. Notably, last month’s results highlighted the Galaxy S25 Edge narrowly defeating the iPhone Air, hinting at a consistent trend in battery performance. As the competition intensified, one device was set to claim overall victory.

Battery drain test results among top smartphones

The Snapchat segment of the battery test proved to be the most demanding, taxing all components of the smartphones – display, Wi-Fi, GPS, and the front camera. Not surprisingly, the Pixel 10 Pro XL fell short despite boasting the largest battery of the group, reaching a critical low before powering down. Ultimately, the order of shutdown was: Pixel 10 Pro XL first, followed closely by the Galaxy S25 Ultra, leaving the iPhone 17 Pro Max to claim victory.

The runtime details for each device are summarized below, indicating that users seeking a reliable battery performance should consider the iPhone 17 Pro Max. It’s worth noting that Samsung’s extensive software refinement on the Galaxy S25 Ultra had previously propelled it to victory in the speed test.

Looking ahead, future software updates could enhance the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s battery longevity, especially with potential optimizations for iOS 26 on the horizon. PhoneBuff’s rankings further underscore the competitiveness of these devices, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max securing a top position in the analysis.