Which phone lasts the longest? Six flagships compared for battery life

Flagship smartphones — the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max and the iPhone 17 Pro Max — were tested for battery endurance in an intensive comparison conducted by the YouTube channel TechDroider. The experiment also included the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, OnePlus 13, and Xiaomi 15 Pro. The test featured mixed usage — web browsing, video playback, gaming, and camera recording — to simulate real-world conditions. In addition to runtime, the reviewer measured device temperatures. The results were surprising: despite Xiaomi’s massive battery, the difference from the iPhone was minimal, showing once again how efficient Apple’s optimization can be.

Test Results: Comparison Table

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, equipped with a 7500 mAh battery, came out on top — but only by five minutes over the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which has a 4823 mAh battery. This means the Chinese flagship required roughly 55% more capacity to achieve that small advantage. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, with its 5000 mAh battery, performed the worst, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL ran the coolest but couldn’t keep up with the leaders in longevity.

Why Does Xiaomi Run Hot While the iPhone Stays Balanced?

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max turned out to be the hottest of the bunch, reaching 47.6°C — likely due to its aggressive performance tuning and large battery. The test even had to be paused at one point to let the phone cool down. The iPhone 17 Pro Max, with its new vapor-chamber cooling system, handled heat much better (43.1°C), reinforcing Apple’s reputation for energy efficiency. The Xiaomi 15 Pro performed well but couldn’t match the endurance of its larger sibling. The OnePlus 13 and Pixel 10 Pro XL maintained moderate temperatures but showed only average runtime. The Galaxy S25 Ultra reached 45°C and demonstrated the weakest battery performance among 2025’s flagships.

Experts emphasized that raw battery capacity is not the key factor — the real difference lies in the chip (Snapdragon 8 Elite in Xiaomi vs. A19 Pro in iPhone) and software optimization. Although TechDroider’s test includes some subjective factors, such as background activity and app behavior, the trend remains clear: Apple maintains the lead in efficiency.

Verdict: Upgrade Now or Wait?

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is the endurance champion, but its heat generation could be a drawback. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers a better balance — nearly identical runtime, but cooler and more stable performance. Android fans looking for maximum battery life will likely prefer the Xiaomi, while those seeking a premium, well-rounded experience may find the iPhone the better choice. Samsung and Pixel trail behind, though the Pixel stands out for its excellent thermal control. Final conclusions await the global release of Xiaomi’s new flagship.

In brief

In TechDroider’s test, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max (13h 36m, 47.6°C) edged out the iPhone 17 Pro Max (13h 31m, 43.1°C) by just five minutes, despite having a 55% larger battery. The Xiaomi 15 Pro (12h 31m) placed third, OnePlus 13 (11h 56m) fourth. The Pixel 10 Pro XL was the coolest (42.6°C), while the Galaxy S25 Ultra had the shortest runtime (11h 20m).