The rivalry between Apple and Samsung continues with each new flagship release, but when it comes to battery endurance, only one device can claim the crown.
In his latest video, YouTuber PhoneBuff put the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra through a detailed battery drain test, using his signature robotic arm setup to ensure absolute fairness.
The test is designed to simulate real-world smartphone use rather than rely on synthetic benchmarks. Both phones are set to the same brightness level and run identical tasks side by side, including phone calls, texting, web browsing, video playback, social media use, and gaming.
At the start, both devices are charged to 100 percent. What followed was a grueling, multi-hour test cycle, with each phase pushing the phones closer to their limits. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, despite its impressive battery optimization, started to show signs of drain faster than the iPhone once the video streaming and social media sections began.
By the end of the test, the iPhone 17 Pro Max lasted longer than its Android rival, holding on for several additional hours before powering off. This is consistent with earlier lab data reported by Tom’s Guide, which clocked the iPhone at nearly 18 hours of runtime compared to the Galaxy’s 14 and a half hours under the same conditions.
The iPhone’s advantage can be attributed to the A19 Pro chip, which offers significant efficiency gains over previous Apple silicon, combined with improved thermal control and better power distribution across the display and processing cores.
Watch the video below and share your real-life experience with us in the comments below.
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