Android Flagships Outperform iPhone in Battery Life Tests: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and OnePlus 12 Lead the Pack
In the world of smartphones, one of the most important features that users look for is battery life. After all, what good is a high-performing phone if it can’t last throughout the day? Gizmodo, a renowned technology review outlet, has recently conducted battery life tests on various smartphones, and the results may surprise you. Android flagships, specifically the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the OnePlus 12, have outperformed the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which was previously considered the best in terms of battery life.
For years, Android users have been longing for better battery performance, as iPhones seemed to dominate in this aspect. However, with the release of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the OnePlus 12, Android users finally have something to cheer about. These two devices have proven to be powerhouses when it comes to battery life, surpassing even the highly acclaimed iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Gizmodo’s battery benchmark tests are known for their accuracy and reliability. They set the screen brightness to around 200 nits and stream a 24-hour YouTube video continuously until the phone’s battery dies. This method allows them to gauge the relative longevity of each device’s battery. While adjustments may be made in the future to account for brighter displays and energy-saving software tricks implemented by phone manufacturers, this benchmark remains the gold standard for now.
In the past, many Android flagship phones struggled to reach the 18-hour mark in Gizmodo’s battery tests. If users wanted a device with ample battery life, they had to settle for cheaper options like Samsung or Pixel A-series phones, which had less power-hungry hardware. However, OnePlus has consistently offered impressive battery life over the past two generations. The OnePlus 10T lasted for 17 hours and 39 minutes, while the OnePlus 11, with its 5,000 mAh battery, provided up to 20 hours and 43 minutes of video playback. This year’s OnePlus 12 is even more impressive, lasting a staggering 27 hours and 43 minutes, surpassing the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 25-hour battery life.
Samsung has also made significant improvements in battery life with each iteration of its flagship devices. Last year’s Galaxy S23 Ultra lasted for 18 hours and 33 minutes, while this year’s Galaxy S24 Ultra, with the same 5,000 mAh battery pack, reached an impressive 23 hours and 22 minutes. These advancements can be attributed to the improvements in cache management offered by Android 14, the latest version of Android. Android’s VP of Engineering, Dave Burke, explained that they have reduced CPU activity of background apps, resulting in a 30% reduction in cold starts on Android 14. This optimization has been praised by users and has contributed to the improved battery performance of devices like the OnePlus 12 and Galaxy S24 Ultra.
While the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and OnePlus 12 have proven their worth in terms of battery life, there are still other Android flagships that need to undergo testing to see how they compare to the rest of the market. Additionally, it will be interesting to see how Android’s more affordable options, such as the OnePlus 12R, Pixel 8, and smaller Galaxy S24, fare against Apple’s iPhone 15.
In conclusion, Android flagships have taken the lead in battery life tests, surpassing the previously dominant iPhone 15 Pro Max. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and OnePlus 12 have emerged as the top performers in this aspect, offering impressive battery longevity. These advancements can be attributed to the improvements in cache management brought by Android 14. As technology continues to evolve, it is clear that Android devices are catching up and even surpassing iPhones in terms of battery performance, providing users with a more reliable and long-lasting smartphone experience.
