Samsung has just unveiled the Galaxy S25 Ultra, aiming to dazzle prospective buyers with a slew of innovative features and improvements. Among the most anticipated upgrades is its enhanced battery endurance. However, some may find it surprising that the Galaxy S25 Ultra falls short of the iPhone 16 Pro Max in this category. Despite offering a 5,000mAh battery capacity—unchanged across several generations—the handset reportedly delivers less video playback time compared to its Apple counterpart.
Samsung’s cutting-edge mDNIe technology, combined with meticulous software enhancements, has allowed the Galaxy S25 Ultra to achieve a commendable 31 hours of video playback. This is achieved through a smart blend of hardware and software synergy aimed at maximizing efficiency. The company highlights: “Our pioneering mDNIe technology has been built into our custom-made AP, and with software optimization, battery usage time is enhanced so you can enjoy hours of watching videos.”
Yet, Apple claims that its iPhone 16 Pro Max outlasts Samsung’s flagship by two hours, clocking in at 33 hours of video playback. This feat is achieved even with a smaller 4,685mAh battery, thanks to the superior energy efficiency of the A18 Pro chip and iOS system—providing a noteworthy edge in the ongoing competition between these tech giants.
The reduced battery life in the Galaxy S25 Ultra could be attributed to its utilization of an overclocked version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, which, while powerful, demands more energy. Nonetheless, this trade-off has its merits. The Galaxy S25 Ultra has demonstrated a remarkable performance advantage, surpassing the iPhone 16 Pro Max by 20% in Geekbench 6’s multi-core scores and an impressive 36% in 3DMark’s Steel Nomad Light benchmark.
Despite the battery life comparison, the Galaxy S25 Ultra still offers a robust 31 hours of video playback, making it a strong contender in the premium smartphone market. For those interested in experiencing its strengths firsthand, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is available for pre-order. As a bonus, early adopters can take advantage of a promotional offer, receiving a $200 gift card with Amazon purchases.
