Unexpected Battery Test Results for Google, Samsung, and OnePlus Phones

In my journey to identify which Android phone offers the best battery longevity, I was met with surprising findings.

Battery Capacity and Its Impact on Performance

When examining battery capacities, numbers can be deceptive. A seemingly high milliampere-hour (mAh) value doesn't inherently equate to prolonged usage. The term 'battery life' itself is multifaceted; it can vary drastically whether you're streaming locally stored videos, editing high-definition clips, or listening to music during travel. The interplay between screen technology and processor demands further complicates these dynamics.

Examining the OnePlus Battery Claims

On the announcement of the OnePlus model featuring a 7,400mAh battery—claimed to be the largest available in the U.S.—skepticism led me to conduct specific tests. Devices were assessed through local 4K playback and a battery endurance test using PC Mark benchmarks, yielding unexpectedly varied results.

Methodology of Testing

Given limited available models, I focused my tests on phones from Google, Samsung, and OnePlus. Apple and Motorola devices were not included due to availability constraints. The PC Mark Work 3.0 Battery Rundown was employed, which simulates a range of activities to gauge how long each phone lasts until it hits 20% battery. Additionally, for continuous video playback, devices were set to loop a 4K film with specific settings, logging the duration until automatic shutdown.

Video Playback Findings

The competition began with all phones set identically—screen brightness maxed, and audio fixed at a quarter volume. The Pixel 10 Pro XL, possessing a 5,200mAh battery, was the first to drain, clocking in at just under a day. Following was the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and subsequently, the OnePlus 15R curiously lagged despite its larger 7,400mAh battery compared to the OnePlus 15's 7,300mAh.

The disparity may be attributed to the OnePlus 15's superior processor efficiency and marginally different display characteristics, which together edged its performance over the 15R.

PCMark Battery Results

In the battery test focusing on processing demands, outcomes were insightful. The OnePlus 15R fell first, followed by Samsung's offering. The Pixel 10 Pro XL demonstrated better endurance than anticipated, potentially due to its power-efficient design. The Snapdragon processors' efficiency in the OnePlus models was a notable factor, although surprisingly, the OnePlus 15 outlasted its sibling.

Conclusion: Understanding Battery Life

The findings underscore that battery life is influenced by more than just size. Various elements such as processor efficiency and display impact battery performance significantly. As with camera pixel counts or processor cores, a larger number doesn't always guarantee better performance—the true value lies in how these components interact.