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Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max. | Image by PhoneArena
Counterpoint Research regularly publishes reports on trends and insights into smartphones and other tech products. One of its recently published studies reveals the average battery capacity of the latest smartphones. The data clearly shows how far behind Apple and Samsung are compared to other manufacturers when it comes to battery capacity in their devices.
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Counterpoint Research has found that the average battery capacity of smartphones available globally now stands at 5,291 mAh as of January 2026. The figure has reportedly seen approximately 400 mAh year-on-year growth. It's also the biggest jump in cell capacity among smartphones reported since December 2021.
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As expected, this growth is largely driven by the huge battery capacities that Chinese brands like OnePlus, Xiaomi, Honor, and others are offering in their devices. The study further reveals users' clear focus on phones with bigger batteries. Around 29% of smartphones sold in January 2026 had a battery capacity of 6,000 mAh or more. This figure also saw a big spike, as only 10% of smartphones sold globally in January 2025 had this much cell capacity.
The research firm also shared data on the top 10 best-selling smartphones of January 2026 that feature a battery with 6,000 mAh or more. The Xiaomi Redmi 15C 4G, which comes with a 6,000 mAh cell, leads the list. The Honor X70 5G sits in second position and ships with the biggest battery (8,300 mAh) among all the names on the list.
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Would you consider a phone with a larger battery over a flagship with better features?
Come on, Apple and Samsung: do something!
Data of top 10 best-selling smartphones with a battery capacity of 6,000 mAh or more | Image by Counterpoint Research
As mentioned above, 5,291 mAh is the average battery capacity of a smartphone in January 2026. The harsh truth is that even the most expensive smartphones from the top two brands fall short of these average numbers. For reference, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 4,823 mAh battery, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra comes with exactly a 5,000 mAh cell.
But the main question here is why Apple and Samsung aren't able to compete against Chinese OEMs when it comes to raw battery figures. The answer lies in the use of lithium-ion batteries. As it turns out, Chinese phone makers like Xiaomi and Honor are using silicon-carbon batteries, which, unlike lithium-ion batteries, allow them to offer more charge without compromising on battery thickness. Apple and Samsung are most likely waiting for the technology to mature before adopting it in their respective devices.
In addition to this, regions like Europe and North America have strict guidelines regarding the use of large batteries in electronic gadgets. As a result, handsets in China feature significantly bigger batteries than those you'll find in European and North American markets.
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Aman Kumar is a tech news writer with a long-standing passion for smartphones. Aman specializes in everything smartphones, from AI features like Pixel’s Camera Coach to understanding ideal hardware combinations. He loves breaking down complex features in a simple, clear way and hopes manufacturers bring back bold designs like the Nokia N-Gage. When he’s not writing, he’s either gaming on PUBG or talking fitness as a dedicated gym enthusiast.
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