We battery-tested 17 popular phones in the lab - this model beat Apple and Samsung
ZDNET's lab tests 17 phones; OnePlus 15's new battery tech outperforms Apple and Samsung.
ZDNET's latest Lab Award for smartphone battery life has been claimed by the OnePlus 15, which outperformed 16 other models from major brands like Apple and Samsung in rigorous testing. The publication conducted two standardized tests: a three-hour YouTube video playback marathon with screens at 100% brightness, and a 30-minute general usage test simulating social media, gaming, and video calls.
The OnePlus 15 demonstrated exceptional endurance, retaining 98%, 94%, and 89% of its charge after one, two, and three hours of continuous video playback, respectively. It tied with the iPhone 17 Pro Max in the general usage benchmark. ZDNET's smartphone expert, Kerry Wan, highlighted the OnePlus 15's silicon-carbon battery as a key differentiator. This newer technology allows the phone to store a higher energy capacity within a casing similar in size to conventional lithium-ion batteries used by competitors.
The results provide a data-driven counterpoint to the typical flagship rivalry between Apple and Samsung, showcasing how alternative battery chemistry can lead to tangible user benefits. For professionals and power users, this translates to longer unplugged time for work calls, navigation, and content consumption without the anxiety of a dying battery. The findings suggest that battery technology, not just brand loyalty, should be a primary consideration in 2026 smartphone purchases.
- OnePlus 15 won ZDNET's battery lab test against 16 other phones from Apple, Samsung, and Google.
- Its silicon-carbon battery retained 89% charge after 3 hours of video playback at max brightness.
- The phone tied with the iPhone 17 Pro Max in a separate 30-minute general usage simulation test.
Why It Matters
Proves next-gen battery tech can deliver longer real-world usage, challenging the dominance of traditional flagship brands.