Hey there! Are you frustrated with your current phone dying halfway through the day, before you’re ready to call it quits? You’re not alone. Poor battery life is one of the top pain points for smartphone owners today.
The good news is that you have more options than ever when it comes to phones with all-day battery life and beyond. In this guide, we’ll explore the key factors that make a long-lasting battery and reveal the top 5 smartphones of 2023 that go the distance. Let’s dive in!
What Matters Most for All-Day Battery Life
When trying to choose a phone that won’t leave you stranded with a dead device, there are a few key specifications and features to focus on:
| Specs | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | A minimum of 4,000 mAh, but 5,000+ is ideal |
| Charging Speed | 30W, 65W or faster. Avoid phones limited to slow 5W/10W charging. |
| Display | Efficient OLED is better than LCD. A lower resolution 1080p display uses less power than 1440p. |
| Processor | Newer processors like Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 are more efficient than older chips. |
| Software | Well-optimized operating systems like OxygenOS extend battery life. |
Let’s explore why these factors are so important for getting the most mileage from your next phone.
Battery Capacity Sets the Foundation
The battery capacity, measured in milliamp hours (mAh), determines how much total power is available on a single charge. Most modern flagship phones have batteries in the 4,000 to 5,000 mAh range.
Budget phones sometimes have even larger batteries up to 6,000 or 7,000 mAh. However, these tend to be paired with less efficient components that cancel out some of the gains.
As a rule of thumb, you should look for a phone with at least a 4,000 mAh battery for all-day life. But if you want the comfort of multi-day battery, 5,000 mAh or higher is recommended.
| Phone | Battery Size |
|---|---|
| iPhone 14 Plus | 4,325 mAh |
| Pixel 7 Pro | 5,000 mAh |
| ROG Phone 6 | 6,000 mAh |
Of course, battery capacity doesn’t tell the whole story, which leads us to…
Faster Charging Compensates for Smaller Batteries
One shortcoming of large battery phones is long charging times. Who wants to wait 3 hours for a full charge?
This is where fast charging comes in. Phones with 30W, 65W or 100W+ wired charging can offset average battery size by juicing up quickly.
For example, the OnePlus 11 can charge its 5,000 mAh battery from 1-100% in just 20 minutes thanks to its 100W SUPERVOOC charger. That convenience helps make up for battery life that’s good, but not the absolute longest.
| Phone | Charging Speed | 0-50% Time |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 14 Plus | Up to 20W | 30 min |
| Pixel 7 Pro | 30W wired | 30 min |
| OnePlus 11 | 100W wired | 10 min |
So don’t overlook phones with fast charging, as it allows flexibility if you forget to charge overnight or need a quick top-up during your busy day.
Display Efficiency Varies Greatly
The display is one of the most power-hungry components on a smartphone. A phone with an inefficient display will struggle to last through a full day, even with a large battery.
OLED displays are much more efficient than traditional LCDs. OLED only lights up the pixels it needs, while LCD has to constantly light the entire display.
Furthermore, a lower 1080p resolution consumes less energy than a 1440p or 4K display. Those extra pixels have to be powered!
Here are some display power consumption estimates:
| Display | Power Consumption |
|---|---|
| 6.7" 1440p OLED, 120Hz | High |
| 6.7” 1080p OLED, 60Hz | Medium |
| 6.7” 1080p LCD, 60Hz | Medium-High |
Of course, you likely don’t want to sacrifice screen quality solely for battery life. The good news is you can find phones like the iPhone 14 Plus that strike a nice balance with an efficient OLED display at 1080p resolution.
Software and Hardware Optimization Matters Too
A phone’s battery size doesn’t tell the whole story. The processor, RAM, and software experience also play a big role in efficiency and battery life.
As a general rule:
- Newer processors like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 are more efficient than older chips. They utilize larger, more advanced manufacturing processes to save power.
- Well optimized operating systems like OxygenOS and Pixel Android make the most of the available battery capacity. Poorly optimized software will drain the battery quicker.
- More RAM (e.g. 8GB vs 6GB) improves battery life by allowing more apps and data to stay in memory rather than reloading constantly from power-hungry storage.
Again, a balanced approach is best. The Pixel 7 Pro demonstrates that flagship-level performance and great battery life aren’t mutually exclusive.
The Top 5 Smartphones with All-Day Battery Life
Now that you know what to look for, let’s get into the top phones that pack insane battery life without compromises. For each pick, we’ll summarize the key stats, pros, and cons to consider.
1. ASUS ROG Phone 6 – Best Battery Life Overall
With an incredible 6,000 mAh battery capacity, the gaming-focused ROG Phone 6 sits at the top of the battery life charts. Here are the key details:
Battery & Charging:
- 6,000 mAh battery
- Over 2 days typical usage
- 65W wired charging
- 0-100% in 58 minutes
Display:
- 6.78" OLED
- 1080p resolution
- 165Hz refresh rate
Performance:
- Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor
- 12GB or 18GB RAM options
- 512GB storage standard
Cameras:
- 50MP Main
- 13MP Ultrawide
- 5MP Macro
Pros
- Jaw-dropping 2+ day battery life
- Vivid 165Hz OLED display
- Flagship-tier performance
- Super-fast 65W charging
Cons
- Large & bulky
- Gaming aesthetic isn‘t for everyone
- Only IPX4 water resistance
The Bottom Line
With incredible battery life that leaves all competitors in the dust, the ROG Phone 6 is the undisputed battery champ. Just be prepared for its gaming-focused design.
2. Moto G Stylus (2023) – Best Budget Battery Life
Shopping on a budget doesn‘t mean you have to settle for poor battery life. The Moto G Stylus packs a giant 5,000 mAh battery for just $299.
Here are the key details on Motorola‘s budget battery beast:
Battery & Charging:
- 5,000 mAh
- 2+ days battery life
- 10W wired charging
Display:
- 6.8" LCD
- 1080p resolution
- 90Hz refresh rate
Performance:
- MediaTek Helio G85 processor
- 4GB RAM
- 128GB storage
Cameras:
- 50MP Main camera
- 8MP Ultrawide
- 2MP Depth
Pros
- Fantastic 2-day battery life
- Smooth 90Hz LCD display
- Built-in stylus for note taking
- Great value & performance for $299
Cons
- No NFC for mobile payments
- Charging limited to 10W
- LCD screen less vibrant than OLED
The Bottom Line
With epic battery life, a big stylus-enabled display, and solid performance, the Moto G Stylus exceeds expectations for just $299.
3. OnePlus 11 5G – Best Battery Life Android Flagship
The OnePlus 11 packs a high-end spec sheet with battery life that equals or beats pricier flagships. Let‘s look at the key details:
Battery & Charging:
- 5,000 mAh battery
- 1.5 day typical usage
- 100W SUPERVOOC charging
- 1-100% in 20 minutes
Display:
- 6.7” OLED display
- 1440p resolution
- 120Hz refresh rate
Performance:
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- 8GB/16GB RAM options
- 128/256GB storage
Cameras:
- 50MP Hasselblad main camera
- 48MP Ultrawide
- 32MP Telephoto
Pros
- Incredible 100W charging
- Flagship-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
- Beautiful high-res 1440p OLED display
- Solid battery life around 1.5 days
Cons
- Battery life not as long as ROG Phone 6
- Telephoto & Ultrawide cameras just okay
The Bottom Line
With its market-leading 100W charging and potent specs, the OnePlus 11 represents the best balanced flagship for battery maximizers.
4. iPhone 14 Plus – Best Battery Life iPhone
While it can‘t compete with some Android options, the iPhone 14 Plus packs the best battery life you‘ll find in an iPhone today. Here‘s a summary:
Battery & Charging:
- 4,325 mAh battery
- 1.5 days typical usage
- Up to 20W wired charging
- 50% charge in 30 minutes
Display:
- 6.7" OLED display
- 1080p resolution
- 60Hz refresh rate
Performance:
- A15 Bionic chip
- 6GB RAM
- 128/256/512GB storage
Cameras:
- 12MP Main
- 12MP Ultrawide
Pros
- Best-in-class battery for iPhone
- Smooth 60Hz OLED display
- Premium aluminum/glass build
- Improved Low Light camera performance
Cons
- Still lags Android battery life
- 60Hz display lacks buttery smoothness
- No telephoto camera
The Bottom Line
It’s no Android killer, but the iPhone 14 Plus outlasts every other iPhone with ease. It brings better battery life to Apple fans.
5. Google Pixel 7 Pro – Best Battery Life Compact Phone
Despite its relatively compact size, the Pixel 7 Pro still delivers excellent battery life. Here are the key facts:
Battery & Charging:
- 5,000 mAh battery
- 1.5 day battery life
- 30W wired charging
- 50% charge in about 30 minutes
Display:
- 6.7" OLED display
- 1440p resolution
- 120Hz refresh rate
Performance:
- Google Tensor G2 chip
- 12GB RAM
- 128/256/512GB storage
Cameras:
- 50MP main camera
- 48MP telephoto
- 12MP ultrawide
Pros
- Great battery life in compact form factor
- Vibrant, smooth 120Hz QHD display
- Best-in-class cameras
- Wireless charging & reverse wireless charging
Cons
- Only IP68 water/dust resistance
- Battery life good, not best in class
The Bottom Line
Despite its smaller size, the Pixel 7 Pro lasts over a day on a charge – a rare find in compact flagships.
Extra Battery Life Tips and Tricks
Now that you know how to shop for an extended battery life phone, here are some additional tips to maximize every milliamp:
- Use dark mode – Dark interfaces use less power on OLED displays
- Turn down screen brightness – The display drains a lot of power at higher brightness
- Disable unused features like NFC, Bluetooth, etc.
- Utilize battery saver mode during low power situations
- Close battery draining apps – Social media apps are notorious battery killers
- Stick to WiFi whenever possible – Mobile data consumes more power
- Avoid wireless charging – Wired charging is much more efficient
Following these tips will help you unlock the full potential of your battery champion phone!
Find the Smartphone That Lasts As Long As You Do
To wrap up, choosing a phone with all-day battery life requires checking the right boxes:
- Ample battery capacity (4,000 mAh minimum)
- Efficient OLED display (1080p ideal)
- New flagship processor (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Tensor G2)
- Well-optimized software (OxygenOS, Pixel Android)
- 30W+ fast charging or higher
Apply those criteria to your search and you’ll find a perfect phone that keeps the lights on from sunrise to bedtime. Never get stranded with a dead phone again!
I hope this guide gives you confidence to find an awesome smartphone that matches your non-stop lifestyle. Let me know if you have any other questions!