Battery life is the reason most people upgrade an iPhone, and it is also the spec that varies the most from model to model. This guide ranks every iPhone that still runs iOS 27 by Apple’s own battery rating, shows what each one sells for used on Swappa right now, and picks the best option at every budget.
For iPhone and Android picks side by side, see Phones With the Best Battery Life in 2026 (Used Picks).
Quick Answer
The iPhone 18 Pro Max has the longest battery life of any iPhone, rated at up to 45 hours of video playback, but it just launched and used listings start around $1,339. The best battery you can buy at a real used discount is the iPhone 17 Pro Max (up to 39 hours), and the best value is the iPhone 16 Pro Max (up to 33 hours), which typically sells for around $750. Under $300, the iPhone 14 Plus (up to 26 hours) is the pick.
How Apple Rates iPhone Battery Life
Apple does not publish battery capacity on its spec pages. Instead, it rates every iPhone by hours of video playback: a locally stored video looping until the battery runs out. Apple also publishes a lower streamed video figure. For example, the iPhone 17e is rated at up to 26 hours of local video and up to 21 hours streamed.
Neither number is how long your phone will last on a normal day. Real use mixes screen time, cellular data, the camera, and standby, so most people see less than the rating. What the rating is good for is comparing one iPhone with another, because Apple tests every model the same way. Do not compare these hours with an Android phone’s mAh figure. They measure different things.
Three things drive the rating up from one generation to the next:
- Size. Bigger phones hold bigger batteries. The Plus and Pro Max models lead almost every generation.
- Chip efficiency. Each new A-series chip does the same work on less power, which is why a standard iPhone 17 outlasts every Pro Max made before the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
- Display. Always-on displays and bright 120Hz screens use more power, which Apple offsets with more efficient panels and lower refresh rates when the screen is static.
Every iPhone Ranked by Battery Life
Every iPhone below is on Apple’s iOS 27 compatibility list, which reaches back to the iPhone 11 and the iPhone SE (2nd generation). Ratings are Apple’s figures for local video playback. Prices are current Swappa figures for September 23, 2026: the lowest current listing, and the average sale price for the base storage size.
| Rank | Model | Apple Video Playback Rating | Starts Around | Typical Sale Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | iPhone 18 Pro Max (2026) | Up to 45 hours | $1,339 | New; not enough sales yet |
| 2 | iPhone Duo (2026) | Up to 44 hours (outer screen), 31 hours (inner) | Not on sale until October 23 | Not enough sales yet |
| 3 | iPhone 17 Pro Max (2025) | Up to 39 hours | $898 | $1,021 (256GB) |
| 4 | iPhone 18 Pro (2026) | Up to 36 hours | $999 | New; not enough sales yet |
| 5 | iPhone 17 Pro (2025) | Up to 33 hours | $801 | $911 (256GB) |
| 5 | iPhone 16 Pro Max (2024) | Up to 33 hours | $660 | $754 (256GB) |
| 7 | iPhone 17 (2025) | Up to 30 hours | $670 | $723 (256GB) |
| 8 | iPhone 15 Pro Max (2023) | Up to 29 hours | $515 | $582 (256GB) |
| 8 | iPhone 14 Pro Max (2022) | Up to 29 hours | $340 | $445 (128GB) |
| 10 | iPhone 13 Pro Max (2021) | Up to 28 hours | $309 | $364 (128GB) |
| 11 | iPhone Air (2025) | Up to 27 hours | $565 | $704 (256GB) |
| 11 | iPhone 16 Pro (2024) | Up to 27 hours | $566 | $652 (128GB) |
| 11 | iPhone 16 Plus (2024) | Up to 27 hours | $406 | $543 (128GB) |
| 14 | iPhone 17e (2026) | Up to 26 hours | $404 | $516 (256GB) |
| 14 | iPhone 16e (2025) | Up to 26 hours | $299 | $375 (128GB) |
| 14 | iPhone 15 Plus (2023) | Up to 26 hours | $366 | $412 (128GB) |
| 14 | iPhone 14 Plus (2022) | Up to 26 hours | $265 | $299 (128GB) |
| 18 | iPhone 15 Pro (2023) | Up to 23 hours | $433 | $494 (128GB) |
| 18 | iPhone 14 Pro (2022) | Up to 23 hours | $325 | $364 (128GB) |
| 20 | iPhone 16 (2024) | Up to 22 hours | $412 | $526 (128GB) |
| 20 | iPhone 13 Pro (2021) | Up to 22 hours | $258 | $302 (128GB) |
| 22 | iPhone 15 (2023) | Up to 20 hours | $329 | $387 (128GB) |
| 22 | iPhone 14 (2022) | Up to 20 hours | $273 | $283 (128GB) |
| 22 | iPhone 12 Pro Max (2020) | Up to 20 hours | $257 | $288 (128GB) |
| 22 | iPhone 11 Pro Max (2019) | Up to 20 hours | $155 | $207 (64GB) |
| 26 | iPhone 13 (2021) | Up to 19 hours | $134 | $242 (128GB) |
| 27 | iPhone 11 Pro (2019) | Up to 18 hours | $173 | $175 (64GB) |
| 28 | iPhone 13 mini (2021) | Up to 17 hours | $165 | $252 (128GB) |
| 28 | iPhone 12 (2020) | Up to 17 hours | $125 | $166 (64GB) |
| 28 | iPhone 12 Pro (2020) | Up to 17 hours | $199 | $205 (128GB) |
| 28 | iPhone 11 (2019) | Up to 17 hours | $114 | $137 (64GB) |
| 32 | iPhone 12 mini (2020) | Up to 15 hours | $133 | $141 (64GB) |
| 32 | iPhone SE (3rd generation) (2022) | Up to 15 hours | $88 | $120 (64GB) |
| 34 | iPhone SE (2nd generation) (2020) | Up to 13 hours | $76 | $84 (64GB) |
Prices vary with condition, storage, carrier, and demand, and they move every week. Early listings for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are thin, so treat those figures as a snapshot. Check current Swappa prices for the exact model and storage you want.
The Best iPhone for Battery Life at Every Budget
The ranking tells you which iPhone lasts longest. These picks weigh that against what you pay, how old the battery is likely to be, and how many years of iOS updates are left.
Longest Battery Life, Period: iPhone 18 Pro Max
At up to 45 hours of video playback, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the longest-lasting iPhone Apple has made, six hours ahead of the 17 Pro Max. Apple rates it at roughly 30 hours of typical use. It costs $1,299 new, and early used listings are priced at or above that, so it only makes sense if battery life is the main thing you are paying for. For the rest of what changed this year, see iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo: What’s New and Is It Worth It?
Best Battery at a Used Price: iPhone 17 Pro Max
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is rated at up to 39 hours, which is more than any iPhone before it except the new 18 Pro Max. Apple discontinued it on September 9, 2026, so it is now a used-only phone. Used units typically sell for around $1,020 at 256GB and $1,130 at 512GB, which is a few hundred dollars less than a new 18 Pro Max for most of the battery life.
Best Value for Battery Life: iPhone 16 Pro Max
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is rated at up to 33 hours, the same as the iPhone 17 Pro, and it typically sells for around $750 at 256GB. That is roughly $150 less than a used 17 Pro and roughly $270 less than a used 17 Pro Max. If you want a big battery without paying near-new prices, this is the pick.
Best Standard-Size iPhone: iPhone 17
The base iPhone 17 is rated at up to 30 hours, more than the iPhone 16 Pro and every Pro Max from before 2024. It also has a 120Hz ProMotion display and starts at 256GB. Apple raised its new price to $899 in September 2026, and used units typically sell for around $720, so buying used saves you about $175. Our iPhone 18 Pro vs. Used iPhone 16 and 17: Which to Buy runs the full new-versus-used math.
Best Under $400: iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e is rated at up to 26 hours, the same as the iPhone 15 Plus, in a standard 6.1-inch body. It typically sells for around $375, runs Apple Intelligence, and is one of the newest phones at this price, so it has the most years of iOS updates ahead of it. The iPhone 17e has the same 26-hour rating with a newer chip, for about $140 more.
If you only care about hours per dollar, the iPhone 13 Pro Max (up to 28 hours, around $364) and iPhone 14 Pro Max (up to 29 hours, around $445) rate higher. They are older, though, and a 2021 or 2022 battery has usually lost some capacity. Check the battery health on the listing before you choose one.
Best Under $300: iPhone 14 Plus
The iPhone 14 Plus is rated at up to 26 hours and typically sells for around $300, with listings starting around $265. It is the cheapest way into genuine all-day iPhone battery life with a large 6.7-inch screen. For other iPhones in this price range, see Best Cheap iPhones in 2026: Top Picks Under $300.
iPhones to Skip if Battery Life Is Your Priority
Some iPhones are cheap because their batteries were small to begin with, or because their support window is closing.
- iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini. Rated at up to 15 and 17 hours. The 13 mini is the better of the two, but neither is a good fit for heavy use.
- iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation). Rated at up to 13 and 15 hours, the lowest in the lineup. They are great cheap backup phones and weak primary phones for battery.
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max. Still on the iOS 27 list, but they are the oldest phones that are, and most units are on an original battery that is six or seven years old. An iPhone 14 Plus lasts longer on paper for about $90 more than a typical 11 Pro Max.
What Happened to the 2021 Picks
The earlier version of this guide, written in 2021, recommended the iPhones below. Here is where they stand now.
| 2021 Pick | 2021 Rating | Status in 2026 | Replace It With |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | Up to 20 hours | Supported, but outlasted by far cheaper phones | iPhone 14 Plus (up to 26 hours) |
| iPhone 11 Pro Max | Up to 20 hours | Oldest generation on the iOS 27 list | iPhone 14 Plus or iPhone 16e |
| iPhone 11 Pro | Up to 18 hours | Oldest generation on the iOS 27 list | iPhone 16e (up to 26 hours) |
| iPhone 11 | Up to 17 hours | Oldest generation on the iOS 27 list | iPhone 14 Plus |
| iPhone XR | Up to 16 hours | Off the iOS update list; iOS 18 was its last major version | Any phone in the ranking above |
The takeaway: an entry-level iPhone today outlasts the best Pro Max from 2020. For how many update years any model has left, see How Long Will a Used Phone Get Updates?
Battery Health Matters More Than the Rating on a Used iPhone
Apple’s rating describes a new battery. Every lithium-ion battery loses capacity as it ages, so the battery in the exact phone you buy matters as much as the model. A 13 Pro Max rated at 28 hours with 82% battery health can easily run shorter than a 16e at 98%.
Battery age also depends on the generation. Apple rates the iPhone 15 and newer to keep 80% of original capacity at 1,000 charge cycles, and the iPhone 14 and earlier at 500 cycles. That is one more reason the newer models in the ranking hold up better as used phones. How Long Do iPhone Batteries Last? Years, Cycles, and Costs covers cycle counts and replacement costs.
On Swappa, every listed device must have a fully functional battery that charges and discharges normally, and iPhone sellers must disclose when battery health is below 80% and Apple’s battery service message is showing. There is no minimum percentage to list, so read the listing and ask the seller for a battery health screenshot if it is not shown. iPhone Battery Health: What to Check on a Used iPhone explains what the numbers mean.
How to Get More Battery Life From Any iPhone
A few settings make a real difference on any model:
- Turn on auto-brightness, and use Dark Mode on iPhones with OLED screens (every model in the ranking except the iPhone 11 and the two SE models).
- Use Low Power Mode when you know you will be away from a charger.
- Set location access to “While Using the App” for apps that do not need it all the time.
- On the iPhone 15 and newer, set a charge limit under Settings > Battery > Charging. On older models, keep Optimized Battery Charging on.
One habit to drop: force-quitting apps to save battery. Apple recommends it only for an app that has stopped responding, and reopening an app from scratch can use more power than resuming it. For the full list of habits that slow battery aging, see Battery Care: How to Extend Battery Lifespan and How to Charge Your iPhone the Right Way. If your battery is already draining faster than it should, Why Your iPhone Battery Dies So Fast (and How to Actually Fix It) walks through the fixes.
Buying a Long-Battery iPhone on Swappa
Real people approve Swappa listings before they go live. iPhones must have a clean IMEI, be fully paid off, be ready to activate, and be free of iCloud Activation Lock, water damage, and cracked glass. If a phone arrives not as described, you are entitled to a return and refund.
Payments run through PayPal, with buyer and seller protection, or Stripe for select sellers. Swappa’s 3% buyer fee is already included in the listing price you see. Some listings from participating sellers also include a One-Year Limited Warranty. Buying used typically saves 30% to 60% compared with new, and the long-battery Plus and Pro Max models tend to hold their value well if you sell later.
Before you pay, run the phone through Swappa’s free IMEI check, and use How to Inspect a Used Phone Before You Buy once it arrives. For how every generation compares beyond battery, see Used iPhone Buyer’s Guide: Every Generation Ranked (2026).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which iPhone has the longest battery life?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max, rated by Apple at up to 45 hours of video playback. Among iPhones with a real used discount, the iPhone 17 Pro Max leads at up to 39 hours, followed by the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max at up to 33 hours each.
Which iPhone has the best battery life for the money?
The iPhone 16 Pro Max. Apple rates it at up to 33 hours of video playback, the same as the iPhone 17 Pro, and it typically sells for around $750 used at 256GB. Under $300, the iPhone 14 Plus gets up to 26 hours and typically sells for around $300.
Does the iPhone 17 have better battery life than the iPhone 16 Pro?
Yes. Apple rates the standard iPhone 17 at up to 30 hours of video playback and the iPhone 16 Pro at up to 27 hours. The iPhone 17 also has a 120Hz ProMotion display, so the main reasons to pick a 16 Pro instead are its telephoto camera and other Pro features.
How good is the iPhone Air’s battery life?
Apple rates the iPhone Air at up to 27 hours of video playback, the same as the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro. That is solid for a phone this thin, but the standard iPhone 17 lasts longer, at up to 30 hours, and typically sells for about the same price used.
Should I check battery health before buying a used iPhone?
Yes. Apple’s battery ratings assume a new battery, and every battery loses capacity with age and charge cycles. On Swappa, iPhone sellers must disclose battery health below 80% when Apple’s service message is showing, and every device must have a fully functional battery. Ask the seller for a battery health screenshot if the listing does not include one.
Pick the Battery That Fits Your Budget
If battery life is your top priority and budget allows, the iPhone 18 Pro Max or a used iPhone 17 Pro Max will outlast every other iPhone. The iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 17 deliver most of that endurance for much less, and the iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 16e prove you do not need to spend more than $400 to get through a long day. Whichever you choose, check the battery health of the specific phone, not just the model.
