The Pixel 9 Pro lasted longest in Android Central’s continuous-video test, but that result does not predict how long every Android phone lasts in daily use. Battery-runtime figures only make sense alongside the workload, settings, network, and test conditions that produced them.
What the Pixel video test found
On August 5, 2026, Android Central contributor Sanuj Bhatia reported a continuous YouTube playback comparison of the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro. All three phones ran the then-latest Android 17 version, used the same Wi-Fi connection, started at 100% charge, had roughly matched brightness, and looped the same video. The Pixel 9 Pro shut down at about 1:41 p.m., the Pixel 10 Pro around 1:17 p.m., and the Pixel 9 around 1:08 p.m. Starting at roughly 5:45 p.m., the Pixel 9 Pro lasted almost 20 hours in this workload. Android Central’s test setup was a publication-run comparison, not an independently replicated lab test.
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The phones were close at the intermediate checkpoints Android Central reported: after four hours, the Pixel 9 had 83% remaining, the Pixel 9 Pro 85%, and the Pixel 10 Pro 83%; after six hours, they had 74%, 75%, and 73%, respectively. Around 11 a.m. the next day, the readings were 12%, 16%, and 13%. Under these particular conditions, the Pixel 9 Pro outlasted the Pixel 10 Pro by about 24 minutes and the Pixel 9 by about 33 minutes.
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#1 Best Overall
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- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
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Why results from other tests are not a direct ranking
Tom’s Guide uses a different workload: web browsing over 5G, or 4G where 5G is unavailable, at 150 nits until the battery runs out. Its page, accessed in 2026, lists these examples. The times are Tom’s Guide results, not outcomes from the Pixel video test:
| Phone | Tom’s Guide web-browsing result |
|---|---|
| Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro | 20 hours 34 minutes |
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | 16 hours 10 minutes |
| Pixel 10a | 15 hours 16 minutes |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra | 14 hours 33 minutes |
| Pixel 10 | 13 hours 13 minutes |
Tom’s Guide says it considers 11 hours or more good and results above 15 hours among its best phone battery-life results. Those are standards for its web-browsing test, not a conversion to video playback or a promise of daily screen-on time. Its table renders the Asus result as “20.34” in an hours-and-minutes table; the value above is presented as 20 hours 34 minutes, following that table’s format.
Rank #2
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
Vendor disclosures add another kind of evidence, but they are not directly interchangeable with editorial tests. Google describes mixed-use battery testing for Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro using talk, data, standby, Chrome browsing, audio, and YouTube streaming. Its disclosure says testing took place on a major US carrier network in California in mid-2026, on pre-production hardware and software in a lab. Tests began fully charged, with default settings except for adaptive brightness, screen timeout, volume, and Play Store updates. Google also describes tests for Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro in mid-2025 and Pixel 10a in late-2025. Its Extreme Battery Saver test uses a restricted workload and disables features including 5G. Google warns that real battery life may be lower than estimates. These are Google’s disclosed procedures, not independent reproductions. Google’s battery testing disclosures explain the conditions.
Samsung separately reports talk time, audio playback, video playback, and internet-use time. Its described lab procedures use simulated networks and development-stage prototypes and software; the video test uses a 720p standard file, while audio playback uses 192 kbps MP3 files with the display off. Samsung warns that settings, usage, and network status can change actual results. Its support notice says results can differ from actual time used depending on network connection status and test conditions. Samsung’s battery-test procedure was published by Samsung Support Singapore on January 16, 2025.
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
How to compare battery-life claims fairly
Before treating two runtime figures as comparable, check whether they share the same workload and setup. A continuous video loop, mobile-web browsing test, mixed-use lab profile, and standby measurement answer different questions.
- Workload: Identify whether the phone played video, browsed the web, handled mixed activity, or stayed idle.
- Network: Note Wi-Fi, 5G, 4G, simulated networks, signal conditions, and whether connectivity changed during testing.
- Display and settings: Look for brightness, refresh-rate or display settings, adaptive brightness, volume, and screen timeout details.
- Starting point and device state: Check starting charge, battery age if disclosed, software version, and whether hardware or software was pre-production.
- Test type: Distinguish a reviewer’s hands-on test from a vendor’s laboratory estimate, and note the location and date when provided.
If those details differ or are not disclosed, do not use the numbers to declare one phone the overall battery-life winner. Google and Samsung both caution that real-world use can differ from test figures. No common cross-brand protocol is established by the results above.
Rank #4
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- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Why your Android battery may drain quickly
Android’s battery guidance identifies screen brightness, background activity, connectivity, and location use as possible contributors. There is no fixed saving promised for any one adjustment; the effect depends on how the phone is being used. Android’s battery-saving guidance recommends practical checks:
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- Lower brightness or enable adaptive brightness.
- Shorten the screen timeout so the display turns off sooner when idle.
- Review apps that run in the background or send frequent notifications.
- Check whether connectivity or location use is contributing to drain.
- Use Battery Saver when its restrictions are acceptable for your needs.
Pixel checks for unusually short runtime
Review app and system usage
On Pixel, open Settings > Battery > Battery usage to inspect consumption by apps and system components. Google recommends leaving Adaptive Battery and battery optimization on, and recommends the “Optimized” background-use setting for apps. After setting up a new phone or performing a factory reset, optimization may take a few weeks to take full effect. Google says some troubleshooting steps apply only to Android 14 and later; battery diagnostics are available on Pixel 6 and later. See Google’s Pixel battery-drain guidance for applicable steps.
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Activating is easy, just 3 steps.
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- CAMERA SYSTEM: 50MP Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
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- 64GB built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps. Made for US
Run Google’s overnight check
- Charge the Pixel to 100%.
- Close open apps, disconnect the phone from power, and leave it idle overnight as usual.
- Check the battery level in the morning. Google says less than 10% drain means the battery is working as expected under this check. If it is above 10%, review app and system usage.
For this Pixel support check, Google says a system component such as Android OS, Screen, CPU, Wi-Fi, or Mobile network using more than 10% is a reason to contact Pixel Support. This is Pixel-specific guidance, not a universal Android hardware-health standard. Google’s overnight battery check provides the procedure.
Allow time after software updates
Google says some extra drain after a software update is normal while the phone downloads and optimizes software. If unusual drain continues after a few days, its guidance is to seek support.
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