GoKawiilCNET's 2026 Battery Tests Crown iPhone 18 Pro Max as Longest-Lasting
CNET ran 120 hours of battery testing across 2026 smartphone models and found the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max led the pack, alongside foldables like the Motorola Razr (2026) and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, which use silicon-carbon batteries for added capacity without bulkier hardware. The newly released iPhone Duo tied for the top result in one test, while overall average battery life across 2026 phones matched results from 2024 and 2025.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The flat year-over-year averages suggest that gains from larger batteries and new silicon-carbon technology are largely being offset by power-hungry features like brighter displays, faster chips and on-device AI tools, according to CNET's testing. This implies buyers chasing longer battery life may need to look at specific models or older, cheaper phones like the iPhone 17 or OnePlus 15 rather than assuming newer always means better endurance.
- The iPhone 18 Pro Max posted the longest battery life among all phones CNET tested in 2026.
- Silicon-carbon batteries in foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 8 boost capacity without increasing physical battery size.
- Older or budget models such as the iPhone 17 and OnePlus 15 offer strong battery value despite not being the newest releases.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro — If long battery life is a top priority, the iPhone 18 Pro topped CNET's battery testing this year, making it a strong pick for heavy phone users. It pairs that endurance with the latest hardware and software support, so you're not sacrificing performance for staying power.
See Apple iPhone 18 Pro on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: cnet.com — Patrick Holland, 2026-11-03
Published there as: “After 120 Hours of Testing, This Phone Had the Longest-Lasting Battery Life”
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