What 'mAh' means for your phone's battery, and why I focus on another metric instead

iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max Kerry Wan/ZDNET

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ZDNET's key takeaways

Your phone's battery is measured in mAh, or milliampere-hours.

In 2026, the standard for most phones is 5,000 mAh.

How you use your phone matters more to the battery's longevity.

After the camera, display, and latest AI-powered features, perhaps the most important features on a new phone is the battery. Each year, manufacturers boast longer battery life and more capacity. lMeasured in mAh, a phone's battery is an important factor for many buyers.

Also: How much storage does your phone really need in 2026? Probably less than you think

While it might be enticing to splurge for a phone with a huge battery, a large mAh doesn't necessarily guarantee you'll be happy with the results. So what is mAh, why does it matter, and why do today's phones with over 6,000 mAh struggle to last all day when your old phone with 4,000 mAh lasted way longer?

First, lets define our terms.

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