The Best Phone Batteries Of 2019 [Updated]

The Best Phone Batteries Of 2019 [Updated]
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If there’s one thing we all want in our smartphones, it’s more battery. Manufacturers keep piling on new features, but at the end of the day, many of us just want a phone that will reliably last until the end the of the day. Hopefully longer.

Battery life isn’t always easy to measure. There are so many factors that can affect how long a phone will last, and a battery’s physical capacity is only part of the equation. Simple things like how much you use your phone have a big impact.

If you’re only glancing at your phone from time to time, you’ll have a completely different experience to someone who uses their device non-stop.

I’ve tested far too many phones over the years, so I’d like to think I’ve got a decent idea in terms of how they fare in real-world terms.

I wouldn’t describe my typical usage as overly punishing, but it’s certainly robust; I definitely use my phone more than I should.

So, if you’re after a good phone with a good battery life, these devices should be on your shortlist.


iPhone XR

Battery capacity: 2,942mAh

Our testing: Between a day-and-a-half and two days per charge

If you want the longest lasting iPhone, the iPhone XR is the clear winner. Most should get through a full day on a single charge and still have a comfortable buffer for day two.

Lighter users may even get through an entire second day before needing to juice up. There are no ifs or buts, the iPhone XR boasts the best battery life you’ll find on an iPhone.

As a side note, while the iPhone XR’s battery may look smaller than what you see in Android flagships, this doesn’t tell the whole story. The difference in operating systems means a pure spec comparison is a little like… apples and oranges.

Here are a few iPhone XR plans:

The Optus $93 per month plan here is a clear standout: it gets you 50GB of data per month, and a free pair of Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones valued at $399. Not bad for a freebie.


Huawei P30 Pro

Battery capacity: 4,200mAh

Our testing: About two days per charge

Draining the P30 Pro’s massive 4,200mAh battery in a single day is a Sisyphean task. In testing, I’d typically end a day with between 60% and 40% left. It’s easy to get two full days per charge. When it comes to Android flagships, the Huawei P30 is a clear standout. Even if you’re using it with reckless abandon, burning through it in in just a day is extremely hard.

Here are a few Huawei P30 Pro plans:

Optus is again a great choice if you’re after a P30 Pro. $90 per month gets you the phone and 20GB of data, but for $5 more per month, you can get a massive 50GB instead.


Samsung Galaxy S10+

Battery capacity: 4,100mAh

Our testing: Between a day and a day-and-a-half per charge

The Galaxy S10+ has the largest battery in any flagship Samsung smartphone, and in turn, the best battery life.

You’ll get through a full day of moderate usage on a single charge and still have a buffer left. You’re unlikely to get to the end of a second day, but a day-and-half is doable. Heavier users may find they still need to recharge nightly, however.

Here are a few Samsung Galaxy S10+ plans:

Woolworths might not be your go-to when you think of buying a phone, but the fresh food people’s mobile division has some excellent deals. Woolies Mobile will sell you an S10+ for $92.45 per month with 10GB, undercutting the major carriers. This plan also includes a bonus 20GB of Holiday Data every three months, which can be banked for later usage.


OPPO R17 Pro

Battery capacity: 2x 1,850mAh

Our testing: Between a day-and-a-half and two days per charge

There’s more to the OPPO R17 Pro than a great battery. Not only does it last for up to two days, it’s the fastest charging phone I’ve tested. I was able to take my review unit from 10% to 85% in just 20 minutes.

You can easily get a whole day of charge from plugging in the phone for around 10 minutes. You could get away with never plugging in your R17 Pro overnight, instead just giving it a 10-to-15-minute juice here and there.

Of course, you’ll only get these kinds of charging speeds using OPPO’s bundled charger.

Here are a few OPPO R17 Pro plans:

Woolworths Mobile is once again one of the cheapest ways to get an OPPO R17 Pro on a plan: $67.45 per month will get you 10GB and a bonus 20GB of Holiday Data every three months. If you sign up before April 30, you’ll also get a bonus JBL Go 2 Bluetooth speaker.


OPPO AX7

Battery capacity: 4,230mAh

Our testing: Between two and three days per charge

You don’t have to spend big to get a smartphone with a great battery: the OPPO AX7 will set you back $319 on Optus prepaid or $399 outright.

Restrained users will get three days between charges, and most should get at least two days. It also happens to be a reasonably swish device – you wouldn’t immediately pick the AX7 as a budget handset.

Here are a few OPPO AX7 plans:

Alex Choros is Managing Editor at WhistleOut, Australia’s phone and internet comparison website.


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