iPhone Air Beats Galaxy S25 Edge in Battery Test Despite Smaller Cell

Apple’s newest iPhone is pulling off something unexpected. The iPhone Air, the thinnest phone in Apple’s lineup, comes with a modest 3,149 mAh battery.

That number looks small compared to today’s Android devices, many of which push past 5,000 mAh. But early tests show the Air can last longer than Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge, which has a bigger 3,900 mAh cell.

Popular reviewer XEETECHCARE put both phones through a full battery drain test. The iPhone Air delivered 8 hours and 57 minutes of screen time.

The Galaxy S25 Edge shut down at 8 hours and 45 minutes. On paper, Samsung had the advantage, but Apple’s efficiency helped the Air cross the finish line first.

Tom’s Guide ran its own battery trials and found the same pattern. In a continuous web browsing loop, the Air lasted 12 hours and 2 minutes. The S25 Edge managed 11 hours and 48 minutes.

In streaming tests, the difference grew wider. After five hours of video playback, the iPhone Air still held 81% charge. Samsung’s phone had already dropped to 67%.

These results highlight Apple’s long-time focus on optimisation. Instead of relying on larger hardware, the company squeezes more out of what it has.

Reports suggest Apple is now using AI-powered resource management to push efficiency even further. That could explain why this year’s iPhones are showing such strong results.

XEETECHCARE also tested the larger iPhone 17 Pro Max. It lasted 11 hours and 53 minutes, far ahead of the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 9 hours and 18 minutes.

Even the iPhone 17 Pro, with a smaller 3,988 mAh cell, outperformed last year’s iPhone 16 Pro Max, which carried a much bigger 4,685 mAh battery. Something significant has clearly changed in Apple’s approach.

The efficiency gap may pressure rivals. Leaks suggest Samsung won’t increase the Galaxy Ultra’s battery size in 2026. If that’s true, the company will need to match Apple’s software tricks to stay competitive in real-world endurance.

For now, the iPhone Air proves that bigger isn’t always better. With smart optimisation, even a small battery can punch above its weight. What looked like a weakness on paper has turned into one of the Air’s most surprising strengths.