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iPhone 17 Series Still Behind Samsung Smartphones in Battery Longevity: Report

iPhone 17 Series Still Behind Samsung Smartphones in Battery Longevity: Report

The US variant of the iPhone 17 Pro is rated for up to 33 hours of video playback, while in India, it is listed at 31 hours.

Written by Sucharita Ganguly, Edited by David Delima | Updated: 11 September 2025 18:26 IST

iPhone 17 Series Still Behind Samsung Smartphones in Battery Longevity: Report

Photo Credit: Apple

iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max last up to two hours longer on eSIM models

Highlights

iPhone 17 retains 1,000 charge cycles, offers no long-term battery gains
Samsung Galaxy S25 series batteries last up to 2,000 charge cycles
iPhone 17 Air can offer about 40 hours video playback with battery pack

Apple launched the iPhone 17 series earlier this week, with eSIM-only iPhone 17 Pro models featuring slightly larger batteries than their Nano SIM counterparts. The EU's energy labels, now mandatory across the bloc, provide clear data on battery lifespan, covering both single-charge performance and long-term durability. As per those labels, Apple rates all iPhone 17 models (including the iPhone Air) for 1,000 charge cycles before capacity drops below 80 percent. By comparison, Samsung leads with batteries built to last up to 2,000 charge cycles, giving it a clear edge in long-term battery endurance.

iPhone 17 Series Battery Life Falls Short Against Samsung Phones

According to an Android Authority report, the updated EU energy labels for the iPhone 17 lineup show no improvement, and Apple has maintained the same 1,000-cycle rating as last year's models. All four iPhone 17 models, including the slim iPhone Air, are claimed to offer high energy efficiency but make no gains in long-term battery durability.

In terms of battery longevity, Apple appears to trail considerably behind Samsung, which offers up to 2,000 charge cycles on devices such as the Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, S25 Ultra, S25 Edge, Galaxy S24, S24 FE, Galaxy A56, A36, and several rugged phones and tablets. Meanwhile, smartphones like the Galaxy A26 and A16 support up to 1,200 charge cycles.

Need the iPhone 17 Series on Launch Day? Blinkit Promises 10-Min Delivery

The European iPhone 17 variants differ slightly from their US counterparts, mainly due to the inclusion of a physical SIM tray in some versions. These models have slightly smaller batteries, but the battery chemistry remains the same, so long-term performance and battery health ratings remain unaffected.

The iPhone 17 series is claimed to offer larger batteries, faster charging, and AI-driven battery optimisation through iOS 26. The iPhone 17 Pro Max tops the lineup, claimed to deliver up to 39 hours of video playback.

Apple also notes that Pro and Pro Max runtimes differ by SIM type, with eSIM-only models featuring slightly bigger batteries that provide up to two hours more usage than the Nano SIM versions. For instance, in the US, the iPhone 17 Pro is rated for up to 33 hours of video playback, while in India, it is listed at 31 hours.

Geekbench Scores of iPhone 17 Series Hint at Minor Performance Gains

The slimmer iPhone Air is said to last a full day, and Apple has introduced a new low-profile MagSafe Battery Pack exclusively for the iPhone Air. Due to its thinner design and altered camera layout, it is not compatible with other iPhone 17 models. With this accessory, the Air's video playback can reach approximately 40 hours.

All iPhone 17 models use stacked batteries for more power and longer life. The Pro and Pro Max handsets also have a vapour chamber in their aluminium frames to keep performance steady during heavy use.

iPhone 17

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.30-inch

Processor Apple A19

Front Camera 18-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 256GB

OS iOS 26

Resolution 1206x2622 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

iPhone 17 Pro

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.30-inch

Processor Apple A19 Pro

Front Camera 18-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 256GB

OS iOS 26

Resolution 1206x2622 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

iPhone 17 Pro Max

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.90-inch

Processor Apple A19 Pro

Front Camera 18-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 256GB

OS iOS 26

Resolution 1320x2868 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

iPhone Air

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.50-inch

Processor Apple A19 Pro

Front Camera 18-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 256GB

OS iOS 26

Resolution 1260x2736 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

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Further reading: iPhone 17 series, iPhone 17 Battery, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, Apple

Sucharita Ganguly

Email Sucharita Ganguly

Sucharita is a writer with Gadgets 360 and is mostly found playing with her cat in her free time. She has previously worked at breaking news desks across organizations. Powered by coffee, The Beatles, Bowie, and her newfound love for BTS, she aims to work towards contributing to a better media environment for women and queer folk. More