The OnePlus 15 lasted the longest in Tom’s Guide’s 2026 comparison: 25 hours 13 minutes in a continuous 5G web-surfing test with brightness set to 150 nits. The iPhone 18 Pro Max ran for 18 hours 27 minutes, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra lasted 16 hours 40 minutes in standard display mode. These are controlled-test results, not a promise of the same runtime in everyday use.
2026 flagship battery test results
Tom’s Guide tested phones by continuously surfing the web over 5G with screen brightness set to 150 nits. In its later comparison, the results were:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Phone | Runtime | Reported configuration or statistic |
|---|---|---|
| OnePlus 15 | 25 hours 13 minutes | Continuous 5G web surfing at 150 nits |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | 18 hours 27 minutes | Average in Tom’s Guide’s reported test |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | 16 hours 40 minutes | Standard display mode |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | 16 hours 10 minutes | Adaptive display mode; the figure used in Tom’s Guide’s earlier comparison |
| iPhone 18 Pro | 16 hours 17 minutes | Tom’s Guide result |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | 17 hours 54 minutes | Tom’s Guide result |
| iPhone 17 Pro | 15 hours 21 minutes | Tom’s Guide result |
The OnePlus 15 leads this particular test by 6 hours 46 minutes over the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The Galaxy result depends on display setting: the standard-mode figure is 30 minutes longer than the adaptive-mode result. Tom’s Guide’s earlier comparison also listed the Galaxy S25 Ultra at 14 hours 27 minutes and Google Pixel 10 Pro XL at 14 hours 20 minutes. Tom’s Guide noted that its S25 Ultra comparison used a newer test version after several months of use, so that phone may have performed better when new. Tom’s Guide’s comparison and later iPhone comparison provide the reported figures and test details.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11What this test does—and does not—tell you
A controlled web-surfing workload
A continuous 5G browsing test at a fixed brightness is useful for comparing endurance under a consistent workload. It does not reproduce every person’s mix of video, gaming, navigation, calls, camera use, background apps, or time spent on Wi-Fi. A phone that wins this test may not lead for every pattern of use.
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- 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
Other sources measure different workloads
PhoneArena reports separate estimated, browsing, video, and gaming measures. Those figures should not be combined with Tom’s Guide’s continuous web-surfing results as though they came from the same protocol. PhoneArena’s results page separates those measures.
LTT Labs’ 2026 meta-analysis lists the OnePlus 15 with two tests: a minimum of 1,750 minutes, an average of 1,779 minutes, and a maximum of 1,808 minutes. Its displayed Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max entries each have one test. Those small and unequal counts offer limited evidence about how much results vary across repeated tests; they are not a like-for-like basis for merging the sources into one ranking. LTT Labs’ meta-analysis table shows the counts and durations.
Rank #2
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
Why your everyday battery life may differ
Actual endurance depends on more than the phone model. Apple’s official battery-test information says its August 2026 testing of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max used preproduction units and software, LTE and 5G networks, and a representative profile based on median iPhone-user activity across passive and active apps. That is a manufacturer test, not a cross-brand comparison using Tom’s Guide’s browsing protocol. Apple cautions: “Battery life varies by use, configuration, cellular network, signal strength and other factors; actual results may vary based on usage.” Apple’s iPhone battery-test information describes its methodology and caveat.
- Network signal and whether you are on LTE, 5G, or Wi-Fi can change power use.
- Display settings matter, as the different Galaxy S26 Ultra results illustrate.
- Screen-on time and workload make a difference: gaming, video, navigation, and calls are not interchangeable with web browsing.
- Software, configuration, and background activity can affect an individual phone’s runtime.
How to use the results when choosing a phone
If your priority is the longest runtime in a published, controlled web-browsing comparison, the OnePlus 15 is the clear winner among these tested 2026 flagships. If your routine differs substantially from continuous browsing, treat the ranking as a useful reference rather than a forecast of your own hours between charges. Battery capacity alone, including a figure in mAh, cannot replace a measured runtime under a stated workload.
Rank #3
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
The available evidence does not establish one universal everyday-use winner across carriers, regions, signal conditions, software builds, and personal habits. Compare results only when the workload and settings are aligned, and check whether a reported number is an average or a single run.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- 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
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
