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Our iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus battery life tests are done, both trail the competition

posted by Chris P. / Sep 22, 2014, 2:23 AM

Our iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus battery life tests are done, both trail the competition

For most Apple fans, the iPhone, irrespective of the generation, is above reproach. And in our experience, this is justified for a very big part. But the latest iPhones, including the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, have a very specific and undeniable weakness when compared with what competitors offer, and that weakness is battery life.

As usual, we put the two aforementioned iPhones though our custom battery life test, which attempts to estimate how long the average person will be able to use a given device if he doesn't put it down at all. With that in mind, the iPhone 6 battery life score of 5 hours and 22 minutes is underwhelming, especially if you consider competitors from the Android camp -- the Samsung Galaxy S5, for example, clocks in at 7 hours and 38 minutes, while the new Sony Xperia Z3 managed the whopping 9 hours 29 minutes. Both of these have larger-capacity batteries, but aren't as thin as the iPhone 6 -- though that's one trade-off that not all would agree with.

Looking at the iPhone 6 Plus battery life results, things are better -- it scored 6 hours and 32 minutes, which is actually better than competing 5.5-inchers like the LG G3 (6 hours 14 minutes) and Oppo Find 7a (6 hours 6 minutes), but still trails a number of flagship Android devices from the last year or so. Still, the significantly larger physical footprint of the iPhone 6 Plus has obviously allowed for a more generous battery, and this shows. Check out the results below.

We measure battery life by running a custom web-script, designed to replicate the power consumption of typical real-life usage. All devices that go through the test have their displays set at 200-nit brightness.

name	hours Higher is better

Apple iPhone 5s	5h 2 min (Poor)
Google Nexus 5	4h 50 min (Poor)
Motorola Moto X (2014)	5h 45 min (Average)
HTC One (M8)	7h 12 min (Good)
Sony Xperia Z3	9h 29 min (Excellent)
LG G3	6h 14 min (Average)
Samsung Galaxy S5	7h 38 min (Good)
Apple iPhone 6 Plus	6h 32 min (Average)
Apple iPhone 6	5h 22 min (Poor)
Huawei Ascend Mate7	9h 3 min (Excellent)
Samsung Galaxy Note 3	6h 8 min (Average)

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PhoneArena Rating:

9.0

Read Full Review

User Rating:

8.9

Based on 50 Reviews

Display 4.7" 750 x 1334 pixels

Camera 8 MP / 1.2 MP front

Processor Apple A8, Dual-core, 1400 MHz

Storage 128 GB

Battery 1810 mAh(14h 3G talk time)

View Full specs

PhoneArena Rating:

9.0

Read Full Review

User Rating:

9.1

Based on 41 Reviews

Display 5.5" 1080 x 1920 pixels

Camera 8 MP / 1.2 MP front

Processor Apple A8, Dual-core, 1400 MHz

Storage 128 GB

Battery 2915 mAh(24h 3G talk time)

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150 Comments

1. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

Tragic that, hope that thinness makes it more tissue like to help them wipe their tears. All trolling aside though, this was largely expected. Last years battery, with last years RAM, with last years camera, with last years OS, with last years processor (slightly higher clock), with last years GFX (marginal increase), with last years pixel density but with a larger higher resolution screen and the price tag of a new phone. Really, no one at all should be surprised.

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 2:27 AM 64

5. sam_tek

Posts: 105; Member since: Feb 18, 2011

Add in the Xperia Z3 compact - a direct competitor to iphone 6 - to see the REAL contrast! ;) P.S. - it should've just been there on the list in the first place!

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 2:33 AM 35

10. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

Sadly Sony is retarded and released that phone only in the darkest corner of the globe. I would have bought one if it released in Canada, but unfortunately I have to wait till I get to the UK and then see if the Nexus phone doesn't destroy it.

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 2:36 AM 5

21. techperson211

Posts: 1280; Member since: Feb 27, 2014

I think Sony is now preparing for world wide availability. They've come to their senses that US has a vital role for their success in the smartphone industry.

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 2:48 AM 1

22. techperson211

Posts: 1280; Member since: Feb 27, 2014

I'm not surprised by the result. We all know that battery is not their priority. It's the price of their so called flagship phones.

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 2:50 AM 6

30. vincelongman

Posts: 5755; Member since: Feb 10, 2013

Sony need to start marketing their phones too No one knows about their phones, except people like us

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 3:06 AM 4

62. Droid_X_Doug

Posts: 5993; Member since: Dec 22, 2010

Maybe their financial performance will jolt Sony execs to their senses. The loss is the result of some incredibly stupid decisions. Starting with not doing simultaneous releases everywhere. Carrier exclusives are another stupid decision.

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 4:36 AM 2

39. boosook

Posts: 1442; Member since: Nov 19, 2012

that phone hasn't been released anywhere yet, as it has been announced just two weeks ago and it's shipping in these days.

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 3:21 AM 0

102. Fluxman

Posts: 51; Member since: Jun 03, 2010

Europe is the darkest corner of the globe? Also, why don't you just wait a month or two? Sony Mobile Canada already said they are releasing all three Z3's into Canada before the end of the year...

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 9:32 AM 0

115. billytheman

Posts: 2; Member since: Sep 22, 2014

Hahah nexus destroy Sony Z3? Nexus' are garbage compared to the Xperia Z2,Z3. I'll eat my cat if the nexus releases better specs than the Z3.

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 11:39 AM 0

150. hoggleboggle

Posts: 3; Member since: Sep 30, 2014

Considering the UK is ranked 16th in mobile ownership compared to 35th for Canada it would make sense to focus on the larger market first. It is a bit silly though that they have been ignoring the US market though.

posted on Sep 30, 2014, 10:04 AM 0

25. o0Exia0o

Posts: 903; Member since: Feb 01, 2013

The Z3 compact more than doubles the iPhone 6+. Now why Sony wont make it available for the masses to purchase is beyond me. I would love to have the Z3 Compact on my VZW unlimited data plan!

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 2:54 AM 7

35. jeeta444

Posts: 154; Member since: Mar 24, 2014

Z3 compact scored 14:44 hours. ip 6 scored only 5:22 hours. while in past sony was mostly blamed for bad battery life by fans of sammy,htc and apple by talking about so called "battery optimisations". and now all these are way behing. Good jod SONY !!

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 3:12 AM 4

54. ahomad

Posts: 175; Member since: May 15, 2012

well, you can see iPhone 6+ vs Z3 which are in the same category. Z3 offers ~50% more battery life with just with just

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 4:19 AM 0

57. ahomad

Posts: 175; Member since: May 15, 2012

well, you can see iPhone 6+ vs Z3 which are in the same category. Z3 offers ~50% more battery life with just with just

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 4:23 AM 0

103. Tamer81

Posts: 37; Member since: Mar 15, 2013

And they should've added at least 2 WP's! The Lumia 1520 has a remarkable batter as well.

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 9:33 AM 0

7. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

Also, comparing the likes of the iPhone 6+ and the G3 isn't exactly fair. To beat a QHD phone by 18 minutes is tantamount to failure. Also, the Note 3 is a year old and matched it for battery life almost, this year they'll probably hit home with a ridiculous battery again with a more efficient (but higher res) screen, and then all that is left is subjective conjecture from the "its my preference based on nothing logical" crowd.

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 2:34 AM 10

50. slh163

Posts: 140; Member since: May 19, 2014

the funny thing is the difference between 5s and 6+ is just 1h30 and between 6 and 6+ is just 1h10. i bet ifans was hoping for hours more from that 6+

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 4:12 AM 1

13. xperiaDROID

Posts: 5629; Member since: Mar 08, 2013

For Apple and iFanboys, last year is 'innovation', outdated is 'revolutionary'.

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 2:38 AM 17

74. KonaStang4.6

Posts: 285; Member since: Nov 04, 2011

How's that Xperia Play working out for Sony ?

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 5:24 AM 0

123. VZWuser76

Posts: 4974; Member since: Mar 04, 2010

You're bringing up a phone released three years ago in 2011? Good argument!

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 12:08 PM 3

129. Dr.Hye

Posts: 95; Member since: Apr 16, 2014

If your goin to insult or bash on soney at least do it right. You brut up an outdated reference. How is 2011 goi BFF for you? Wait what's that sorry I can't here you. Im over in 2014 not giving a $hit

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 2:49 PM 0

132. datguyglad

Posts: 98; Member since: Aug 29, 2014

Spell check is your best friend @Dr.Hye..!!

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 3:30 PM 0

29. hboy857

Posts: 367; Member since: Jun 03, 2013

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact 14h 44 min. Epic.

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 3:05 AM 4

51. MyGoRa

Posts: 2; Member since: Sep 22, 2014

iFail

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 4:15 AM 4

59. enthasuium

Posts: 150; Member since: Nov 21, 2013

when you will install 8-10 apps it will get worst. Poor optimization of iOS..yes ...coz this time its a large battery that failed to deliver

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 4:28 AM 0

67. f35hunter

Posts: 241; Member since: Dec 12, 2013

Now the iPhone 6 is officially the biggest fail of 2014 congratulation iFans and keep buying what apple threw to you ;-)

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 4:48 AM 1

68. StraightEdgeNexus

Posts: 3689; Member since: Feb 14, 2014

Oh poor iFans, its Another year for wall hugging :(

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 4:50 AM 4

116. gaara6775

Posts: 738; Member since: May 20, 2014

Still better battery life than nexus 5

posted on Sep 22, 2014, 11:41 AM 0

122. StraightEdgeNexus

Posts: 3689; Member since: Feb 14, 2014

I take that you brought nexus 5 assuming my username lol. The nexus in my username has nothing to do with phones xD. I could have got the nexus 5, but the battery life turned me off.