Full Breakdown
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Deliver Record Battery Life and Faster Charging, CNET Tests Show
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Findings
CNET’s laboratory testing of Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max indicates that the Pro Max now offers the longest battery endurance of any iPhone to date, while the smaller Pro model achieves the quickest wired charging speed in Apple’s lineup. The tests included a 3-hour video-streaming run, a 45-minute mixed-use stress test, and separate wired and wireless charging trials.
Testing Methodology & Key Numbers
- Video streaming (full-brightness Wi-Fi): The iPhone 18 Pro retained the highest charge after three hours, beating the iPhone 17 Pro by 8 percentage points. The Pro Max placed second.
- 45-minute stress test (games, video calls, scrolling at half brightness): The 2024 iPhone 16 Plus still led, with the iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro Max tied for second, each just 1 % behind. The iPhone 18 Pro ranked last among the tested iPhones but outperformed many Android competitors.
- Wired charging (0 % start, included cable, 30 minutes): The iPhone 18 Pro reached 53 % in 15 minutes and 82 % in 30 minutes, making it the fastest-charging iPhone. The iPhone 18 Pro Max added 48 % at 15 minutes and 77 % at 30 minutes, an 8 % improvement over the previous year’s Pro Max.
- Wireless charging (25-Watt Qi2.2 MagSafe): The iPhone 17 Pro edged the new Pro by 1 % in the 30-minute test; the Pro Max placed just after the iPhone Air.
Comparison with Earlier Models
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max incorporate larger batteries than the iPhone 17 Pro series, a power-efficient A20 Pro chip, and iOS 27, which together drive the observed gains. The iPhone 18 Pro’s charging speed surpasses the iPhone 17 Pro’s 69 % charge in the same interval, while the Pro Max’s battery capacity is the highest measured among the tested devices.
Consumer Implications
For users prioritizing all-day use, CNET’s data suggests the iPhone 18 Pro Max delivers the most endurance Apple has offered, potentially reducing daily charging cycles. Meanwhile, the iPhone 18 Pro’s rapid wired charging benefits those who need quick top-ups. The tests also highlight that high-priced flagship models are not the only path to solid battery performance; the iPhone 17 Pro and even the standard iPhone 17 still provide respectable endurance at lower cost.
Outlook
Apple will introduce its foldable iPhone Duo later this year, expanding the lineup’s design diversity. As battery life and charging speed remain key purchase factors, future iPhone releases will likely continue to emphasize these metrics alongside camera and display upgrades.