Battery life is one of the most important factors for buyers choosing between iPhone models. Apple says the iPhone 17 lineup benefits from the new A19 chip and larger batteries in some versions, but real-world tests show the actual story. Several YouTubers have already pushed the iPhone 17 series through identical drain challenges to see which model lasts the longest.
Alongside these results, another video compares iOS 18 and iOS 26 battery life on older iPhones. This adds perspective on how Apple’s software updates impact longevity, which is useful both for upgraders and new buyers.
Mrwhosetheboss iPhone 17 battery drain test
Mrwhosetheboss is known for running carefully controlled drain tests across iPhones and Android flagships. His process involves setting screen brightness to a fixed level, disabling auto-brightness, and running a loop of tasks that simulate heavy but realistic daily use. This includes watching YouTube videos, scrolling through social media, browsing the web, taking photos, and playing games. The phones run continuously until they switch off, giving a consistent ranking of endurance.
iPhone 17 battery drain results (Mrwhosetheboss)
| Device | Runtime (hh:mm) |
|---|---|
| iPhone Air | 7:18 |
| iPhone 16 | 9:51 |
| iPhone 17 | 10:28 |
| iPhone 17 Pro | 10:48 |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | 11:58 |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | 12:15 |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | 13:00 |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max (eSIM only) | 13:45 |
The results show the iPhone 17 Pro Max once again leading the lineup, with the eSIM-only version setting a new record for iPhone battery life. Interestingly, the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro performed almost identically despite their hardware differences, which suggests that Apple’s efficiency improvements are consistent across both models. The iPhone Air was the first to shut down, but its result is still strong for such a compact device.
Geekerwan performance and efficiency battery test
Geekerwan approaches battery testing with a more technical focus. His videos not only show final runtimes but also analyze chip efficiency, thermal management, and how wattage scales during heavy workloads. This helps explain why one model lasts longer than another, rather than just recording the time.
For this test, multiple iPhones were compared side by side, all set to the same brightness and running identical tasks. Battery capacities were measured, and the test included both older iPhones and the latest iPhone 17 models to see how the A19 family compares to the A18 generation.
Geekerwan battery drain results
| Device | Chip / Software | Battery capacity | Runtime (hh:mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | A19 Pro / iOS 26 (23A340) | 4823 mAh | 9:27 |
| iPhone 17 Pro | A19 Pro / iOS 26 (23A340) | 3988 mAh | 8:36 |
| iPhone 16e | A18 / iOS 26 (23A340) | 4005 mAh | 7:58 |
| iPhone 16 Plus | A18 / iOS 26 (23A340) | 4674 mAh | 7:39 |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | A18 Pro / iOS 26 beta | 4685 mAh | 7:38 |
| iPhone 17 | A19 / iOS 26 (23A340) | 3692 mAh | 7:21 |
| iPhone 16 Pro | A18 Pro / iOS 26 beta | 3582 mAh | 6:16 |
| iPhone 16 | A18 / iOS 26 beta | 3561 mAh | 5:48 |
| iPhone 15 Pro | A17 Pro / iOS 26 (23A340) | 3274 mAh | 5:27 |
The standout insight here is that the iPhone 17 Pro Max lasts significantly longer than the 16 Pro Max, despite only a small difference in battery size. This shows how Apple’s A19 Pro chip can deliver more work per watt. Another point is the weaker showing of the iPhone 15 Pro, which drained much faster, highlighting how yearly chip advancements impact real-world longevity.
UltimateiDeviceVids iOS 18 vs iOS 26 battery test
UltimateiDeviceVids provides useful context by comparing software impact across older devices. His test included iPhones from the 11 through the 16, running side by side on iOS 18 and iOS 26. Brightness, settings, and workloads were kept identical to ensure fairness.
This test is especially valuable because many iPhone users hesitate to update, fearing that newer software might hurt battery life. The side-by-side comparison reveals which models benefit from Apple’s optimizations and which see reduced runtimes.
iOS 18 vs iOS 26 runtimes (UltimateiDeviceVids)
| Device | iOS 18 runtime | iOS 26 runtime | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 | 15:26 | 14:11 | -1:15 |
| iPhone 15 | 13:54 | 12:53 | -1:01 |
| iPhone 14 | 10:55 | 11:17 | +0:22 |
| iPhone 13 | 12:24 | 11:25 | -0:59 |
| iPhone 12 | 7:47 | 7:09 | -0:38 |
| iPhone 11 | 9:20 | 8:43 | -0:37 |
The results show that most models lost some battery life after updating to iOS 26, with the iPhone 16 seeing the biggest drop. However, the iPhone 14 bucked the trend with slightly better endurance, proving that the impact of iOS 26 varies by hardware. Despite the drops, standby drain and background efficiency were reported as smoother on iOS 26, meaning that the day-to-day experience may still feel more consistent.
Apple’s claims vs real-world results
Apple markets the iPhone 17 lineup with “up to” video playback figures and “all-day battery,” which are based on controlled single-task tests. Mixed-use drain loops are tougher because they add camera, gaming, social, and background activity. That is why independent results look lower but map more closely to a real day.
For iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple’s pitch centers on longest battery in the range. In Mrwhosetheboss’ loop it hit 13:00, while the eSIM-only version reached 13:45, showing how efficiency and modem configuration impact runtime in practice.
For iPhone 17, Apple positions it as an all-day phone. In the same test it managed 10:28, which supports the “all-day” message for typical use while confirming that heavy mixed workloads will land under Apple’s single-task playback numbers.
For iPhone 17 Pro, Apple highlights performance with strong endurance. It logged 10:48 in the mixed loop. The small gap versus iPhone 17 suggests Apple’s efficiency tuning is consistent across tiers, and the higher refresh rate display does not dramatically hurt runtime.
For iPhone Air, Apple emphasizes the thinnest, lightest design with “all-day battery” for lighter workloads. In the drain test it lasted 7:18. That aligns with its slimmer chassis and smaller cell – fine for light and moderate use, but power users should expect a midday top-up compared to the Pro models.
Conclusion
Together, these results show that the iPhone 17 Pro Max is once again the endurance champion, especially the eSIM-only model which stretched nearly 14 hours. The iPhone 17 and 17 Pro sit close together, while the iPhone Air sacrifices runtime for portability. Geekerwan’s analysis confirms that the A19 family offers significant efficiency gains over the A18, and UltimateiDeviceVids’ tests demonstrate that iOS 26’s effect on older iPhones varies, sometimes reducing runtimes but also bringing improvements in consistency.
