The so-called "thermal management optimization" did not effectively improve the battery life of the iPhone 16.

Apple held its annual fall event on the morning of September 10th, unveiling the iPhone 16 series, Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and other new products.

The star of the show was undoubtedly the iPhone 16 series, particularly the two Pro models, which boasted larger sizes and enhanced capabilities. Apple even touted the iPhone 16 Pro Max as the largest iPhone display ever during the announcement.

(Source: Apple Newsroom)

The popularity of the Pro Max globally can be attributed to two main factors: its large display, providing an immersive gaming and video-watching experience, and its excellent battery life, which, with its over 4000mAh capacity and ProMotion technology, has made it the battery life champion of almost every iPhone generation.

During the iPhone 16 series announcement, Apple claimed that thanks to a new internal layout design, the iPhone 16 Pro (and Pro Max) significantly improved its thermal management and battery life. The low-power A18 chip and iOS 18's AI capabilities further enhanced the iPhone 16 Pro's (and Pro Max's) battery life.

So, how does the iPhone 16's battery life stack up in reality? I immediately purchased an iPhone 16 Pro Max from Ele.me (note: this is not a media unit, so I can provide an unbiased review without Apple's influence). After two days of testing, here are my findings on the device's battery performance and whether it sets a new benchmark for iPhone battery life.

Battery capacity increased by 5.5% year-over-year, but still lags behind the industry

The most notable upgrade of the iPhone 16 Pro Max compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max is its increased size, from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches.

Despite the 0.2-inch increase in screen size, both models in the iPhone 16 Pro series feature ultra-narrow bezels, resulting in minimal differences in hand feel and visual appearance. The iPhone 16 Pro Max measures 77.6mm wide and 163mm tall, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max is 76.7mm wide and 159.9mm tall.

(Source: Leitech / Left: iPhone 16 Pro, Right: iPhone 16 Pro Max)

Regarding weight, the iPhone 16 Pro Max weighs 227g, roughly equivalent to the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

From the dimensions, it's clear that the overall size and weight of the iPhone 16 Pro Max have not changed significantly, except for a slight increase in length. Consequently, the battery capacity has not undergone a drastic change.

Indeed, according to teardown reports by techinsights, the iPhone 16 Pro Max boasts a 4685mAh battery, compared to the 4441mAh battery of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, representing an approximately 5.5% increase.

(Source: techinsights)

Notably, there are some differences in battery technology between this generation of iPhones. While the iPhone 16 Pro utilizes a steel-cased battery, the iPhone 16 Pro Max continues to employ an L-shaped soft-pack battery. The primary differences lie in their form factor and removability, and currently, there's no indication that Apple has increased the energy density of the steel-cased battery in the iPhone 16 Pro.

Battery technology has been a hot topic in the smartphone market in 2024, with manufacturers competing on materials, energy density, and capacity to maximize battery life. For instance, vivo's S19 boasts an energy density of 809Wh/L, allowing it to fit a 6000mAh battery into a 7.19mm-thick body while weighing just 193g.

(Source: vivo)

Technically speaking, the iPhone 16 Pro Max's battery capacity remains on the conservative side, falling short of the common 5000mAh mark despite its 6.9-inch display. However, it's essential to recognize that battery life is not solely determined by capacity but also influenced by processor efficiency, system optimization, and other factors.

Given this, how does the iPhone 16 Pro Max, with its under-5000mAh battery, fare in real-world usage?

Middling battery life: struggles in extreme scenarios but excels in daily use

Unlike its predecessor, the iPhone 16 Pro Max doesn't differentiate itself from the regular Pro model in terms of camera performance. This suggests that those considering the "Max" variant are likely seeking a device for more multimedia entertainment, such as gaming and video watching.

For gaming, we tested "League of Legends: Wild Rift" and "Genshin Impact." The former is a well-optimized MOBA game, while the latter is a less-optimized open-world adventure.

After an hour of playing "League of Legends: Wild Rift," the iPhone 16 Pro Max consumed just 14% of its battery, with the device remaining only slightly warm, barely noticeable with a case on. Notably, iOS 18 automatically recognizes mobile games and activates game mode, disabling camera controls to prevent accidental touches.

However, in "Genshin Impact," which received minimal optimization, the iPhone 16 Pro Max fared less impressively, consuming 18% battery in an hour and experiencing notable heat, concentrated in the middle of the device. The heat might have contributed to the faster battery drain in this scenario.

(Source: Leitech)

Apple highlighted the improved thermal management of the iPhone 16 Pro series during the event, but the A18 Pro chip still struggles with heat management in extreme scenarios (see Leitech's dedicated review on iPhone 16 series thermal performance for more details).

In more daily usage scenarios, such as watching HDR videos (12% battery consumed in an hour) and browsing social media (8% battery consumed in an hour), the iPhone 16 Pro Max performed admirably. After four hours of intensive testing, the device retained 48% battery life.

(Source: Leitech illustration)

This performance places the iPhone 16 Pro Max in the middle of the pack in the current smartphone market, especially considering its relatively modest battery capacity. Nevertheless, achieving such battery life with just a 4685mAh battery is commendable.

In daily life, the iPhone 16 Pro Max's battery life is quite impressive. For instance, with Always-On Display enabled, it consumed just 7% battery over an 8-hour sleep period. During a 30-minute commute, using social media platforms like WeChat and Douyin drained around 4% battery.

(Source: Leitech illustration)

Thanks to iOS 18's optimizations, the iPhone 16 Pro Max excels at energy efficiency during daily use. Assuming typical usage patterns, including frequent WeChat messaging, occasional social media browsing, and the occasional lunchtime game, the device can easily last a full day. However, 4K video recording remains its most battery-intensive task, consuming approximately 17% battery in half an hour. If you plan to attend a concert with your iPhone 16 Pro Max, a portable charger is highly recommended.

(Source: Leitech illustration)

While the iPhone 16 Pro Max's battery life is satisfactory, its charging speed remains average at around 27W. The peak charging rate of 45W indicated on the network access license was only maintained for about two seconds in our tests, while the 35W rate lasted less than two minutes. In conclusion, the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers uneven battery performance in terms of both capacity and charging speed.

Closing Thoughts:

Despite increasing its battery capacity by just 5.5%, the iPhone 16 Pro Max has once again set a new benchmark for iPhone battery life. However, it still lags behind Android flagship devices in this regard.

(Source: Leitech)

Android flagships have yet to adopt the latest battery technology or 3nm SoCs, leaving ample room for improvement in battery life. They also excel in charging speed, with many models supporting wired fast charging of 50W or more. In this context, it's fair to say that battery life is becoming a weakness for iPhones.

Based on my experience, if you prioritize all-day battery life and don't require urgent charging, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is an excellent choice. However, if you value extended gaming sessions, the iPhone 16 Pro Max might not be ideal for you – unless, of course, you're accustomed to carrying a portable charger wherever you go.

Source: Leitech