This year, the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra go head-to-head, both packing large batteries, energy-efficient chips, and advanced displays. Yet, in recent real-world endurance tests, Apple’s flagship outlasted Samsung’s top device, delivering longer screen-on time and more consistent performance across a full day of use.
Apple’s improvements to battery chemistry, combined with the A19 Pro chip and the new thermal envelope, give the iPhone 17 Pro Max an edge that goes beyond lab conditions. For users, this means fewer trips to the charger, better performance under stress, and a device that stays reliable throughout the day.
The Battery Numbers Behind the Test
On paper, the Galaxy S25 Ultra holds an advantage with a slightly larger 5,500 mAh battery compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s 4,885 mAh cell. But raw capacity doesn’t tell the whole story. Apple’s efficiency gains — from the A19 Pro processor, iOS power management, and display optimizations — help the Pro Max stretch its smaller battery further.
In endurance tests involving web browsing, video streaming, gaming, and photography, the iPhone 17 Pro Max consistently outlasted the S25 Ultra by nearly an hour of active screen time. In standby mode, Apple’s tighter background app control also reduced idle drain, an area where Samsung still struggles despite improvements to One UI.
Real-World Usage Scenarios
Battery life is not just about benchmarks; it’s about how a phone behaves in real situations:
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Video streaming: The iPhone maintained brightness and playback quality while consuming less energy per hour.
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Gaming: Thanks to the thermal envelope, the Pro Max avoided throttling, allowing smoother performance without the rapid battery drops seen on the S25 Ultra.
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Photography and video capture: Apple’s image pipeline proved more efficient, drawing less power during extended 4K recording sessions.
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Mixed daily use: At the end of a typical heavy-use day, iPhone 17 Pro Max owners reported 20–25% remaining charge, compared with 10–15% on the Galaxy.
Why the iPhone Lasts Longer
The key to Apple’s advantage lies in integration. Apple designs both hardware and software, allowing iOS 18 to optimize energy use at every level — from background tasks to adaptive refresh rates on the ProMotion display. Samsung, while offering massive batteries and fast charging, faces greater inefficiency due to reliance on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chipsets and Android’s more open ecosystem.
Another factor is Apple’s thermal envelope, which reduces overheating and throttling. By keeping the A19 Pro chip cooler, it maintains efficiency even under heavy loads, preventing the energy spikes that drain batteries quickly.
The Trade-Offs Users Should Consider
While the iPhone 17 Pro Max outperforms in endurance, Samsung still holds some advantages:
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Faster charging speeds: The S25 Ultra charges significantly quicker, reaching 70% in under 30 minutes with supported adapters.
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Larger battery capacity: Heavy users may appreciate Samsung’s bigger raw numbers, even if efficiency reduces the real-world gap.
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Custom power modes: Samsung provides more manual control over performance and battery use, while Apple relies on automatic optimization.
For most users, however, Apple’s focus on consistency pays off. The Pro Max not only lasts longer in daily use but also delivers steadier performance without sudden drops in battery percentage during demanding tasks.
What This Means for the Market
Battery life is one of the most important factors for consumers choosing a flagship smartphone. By outperforming Samsung in real-world endurance, Apple strengthens its position among power users who demand reliability. The iPhone 17 Pro Max proves that efficiency can matter more than sheer battery size, and it raises the bar for how future flagships will be judged.
As Apple continues to refine its integration of hardware, software, and thermal design, the Pro Max sets a new standard: a phone that balances performance, battery life, and comfort without compromise. For users deciding between Apple and Samsung, endurance may now tip the scales in Apple’s favor.
