2025 marked a significant year for smartphone battery technology. Thanks to the adoption of Silicon-Carbon (Si/C) anodes by several major manufacturers, we saw multiple devices achieve 7,000+ mAh capacities in standard flagship form factors, effectively ending years of capacity stagnation.
However, raw capacity is only half the equation. A battery’s life span depends heavily on the power and thermal efficiency of the phone’s processor and its optimized power management. At the same time, rapid charging has changed the game, shifting user experience from “will I run out?” to “how fast can I top up?”
For the first time, multiple handsets reached or exceeded the 20-hour Active Use Score threshold. The top performers prove that flagship specifications no longer necessitate compromised battery life.
Here are the top smartphones of 2025, ranked by battery life:
1. OnePlus 15
- Capacity: 7,500 mAh
- Charging: 120W Wired | 50W Wireless
The OnePlus 15 currently holds the top spot for effectively balancing raw capacity with the efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. It sets a new flagship standard, while the 7,300 mAh cell provides the raw power, the integration of an LTPO 165Hz display helps mitigate drain during idle periods.
Combined with IP69K durability, it offers the most consistent longevity across mixed-use scenarios (gaming, media, and standby) tested this year. Its recharging is rapid because of the 120W wired (full in ~40 mins) or 50W wireless.
David Adubiina
2. Oppo Find X9 Pro
- Capacity: 7,500 mAh
- Charging: 80W Wired | 50W Wireless
The Oppo Find X9 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500, a chipset that has proven exceptionally frugal, sipping power from a massive 7,500 mAh Silicon-Carbon cell.
While its 80W wired charging is slightly more conservative, the consistent 50W wireless support and premium Hasselblad camera system make it the preferred choice for photographers who need their phone to last through a full day of shooting and editing.
3. iQOO 15
- Capacity: 7,000 mAh
- Charging: 100W wired | 40W wireless
The iQOO 15 pairs the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 with a dedicated display chip to drive its stunning 144Hz LTPO screen. Despite only packing a 7,000 mAh battery, its optimization for video playback is unmatched.
When it runs down, the 100W FlashCharge gets you back in the game instantly. It’s a focused, high-performance machine that trades a little versatility for sheer entertainment endurance.
4. Realme GT 8 Pro
- Capacity: 7,000 mAh
- Charging: 120W Wired | 50W Wireless
Unlike its gaming-focused competitors, the Realme GT 8 Pro prioritizes optimizing cellular network efficiency to deliver seamless streaming. Realme also tuned the Snapdragon modem to minimize power drain during signal handover and active voice calls.
As a result, it achieves the highest talk-time figures on the list. With 120W wired and 50W wireless charging, it is positioned primarily for business users who prioritize communication longevity over graphical throughput.
5. Realme GT 7
- Capacity: 7,000 mAh
- Charging: 120W Wired
The scroller’s dream. This Global version is optimized specifically for the web, outlasting almost everything else in continuous browsing tests. It swaps the Snapdragon for the highly efficient MediaTek Dimensity 9400e, a chip designed to sip power during light tasks like social media scrolling.
While it lacks wireless charging to keep the price aggressive, the 7,000 mAh battery and 120W wired charging make it the best value proposition for users who live in their browser.
6. Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
- Capacity: 7,500 mAh
- Charging: 100W Wired | 50W Wireless
The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max ties for the largest physical battery on this list but ranks lower due to higher power consumption. Features such as the always-on secondary rear display and the mechanical components of the 1-inch Leica variable aperture cameras draw more active power than standard setups.
It is a device for power users who require extensive hardware utility and accept that the 7,500 mAh cell is needed to break even on daily usage.
Ogbonda Chivumnovu
7. nubia Z80 Ultra
- Capacity: 7,200 mAh
- Charging: 80W Wired | 80W Wireless
This phone proves that "Ultra" isn't just a marketing name. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 powers a massive 6.85-inch display without killing the battery, thanks to excellent thermal management.
It supports 80W wired and 80W wireless charging, giving it one of the most versatile power systems on the market. It’s a photographer’s dream that doesn’t need a power bank.
8. Honor Magic8 Lite
- Capacity: 7,500 mAh (8,300 mAh in LatAm)
- Charging: 66W Wired
This is the only mid-range device to rank in the top 10. By pairing a massive 7,500 mAh battery with the less demanding Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, the Magic8 Lite achieves remarkable standby and low-intensity usage times.
It lacks premium features like wireless charging, and wired speeds are capped at 66W, but it offers the highest endurance-per-dollar ratio on this list.
Note: The Latin American models get an even larger 8,300 mAh battery, potentially pushing this score even higher.
9. nubia RedMagic 11 Pro
- Capacity: 7,500 mAh
- Charging: 80W Wired | 80W Wireless
The gamer’s choice. The RedMagic 11 Pro uses its built-in active cooling fan to keep the battery efficient even under heavy loads. While it shares the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 with its Z80 sibling, it pushes the chip harder for gaming performance.
Despite the extra power draw, the massive 7,500 mAh cell keeps it running for over 20 hours. It matches the Z80 with 80W wired and 80W wireless charging.
10. Poco F8 Ultra
- Capacity: 6,500 mAh
- Charging: 100W Wired | 50W Wireless
The Poco F8 Ultra is an outlier, because it relies on software optimization rather than raw capacity. Despite having a 6,500 mAh cell (significantly smaller than the competition), it achieves comparable usage times through strict its background app management.
It is also one of the few devices in its price segment to introduce 50W wireless charging, offering a balance between lightweight design and battery longevity.
Ejiro Onose
