The new iPhone 16 (Plus) and iPhone 16 Pro (Max) models receive a number of updates, including an improved camera, camera slider, action button, MagSafe with 25W and more. But perhaps the most important new feature is the extended battery life, with the Pro models lasting an impressive four hours longer.
This is because Apple not only uses a more energy-efficient processor, the battery is also larger than in previous models. This has given the battery life a significant boost. We list the data for you.
Improved processor
The new iPhone 16 (Plus) and iPhone 16 Pro (Max) are equipped with an A18 or A18 Pro processor by Apple. The 3-nanometer chip not only has a faster CPU, improved GPU and powerful Neural Engine for machine learning tasks and artificial intelligence. It is also more energy efficient, which is immediately reflected in the battery life of the device.
Heavy-duty tasks such as watching video, gaming and taking photos are performed efficiently and require less energy. This is because the chip ensures that the battery lasts longer on a single charge.
Larger battery added
The iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are equipped with a larger battery. This is mainly reflected in the increase in battery capacity (mAh). The iPhone 16 Plus only goes one hour ahead of the iPhone 15 Plus, this is mainly due to the improved processor.
Battery capacity explained
The capacity of a battery is expressed in mAh which stands for Milliampere-hour. This number expresses how long (in hours) the battery can provide a certain current (mA) (hx mA). So if more current is requested from the battery, the battery will be empty sooner.
For example, if you own an iPhone 16 Pro Max, it has a battery capacity of 4676 mAh. If you do not use it intensively, it consumes an average of 110mA per hour and the battery lasts about 42.5 hours (4676/110 = 42.5 hours of battery life). Unfortunately, a device is used more intensively and you will soon have a battery life of 23 hours.
In the table below you will find a comparison of the battery life between different iPhone models. The figures are based on official data from Apple and may differ due to practical use. Unfortunately, since the iPhone 11, Apple no longer provides an average battery life for data/internet and call duration.
The battery capacity (mAh) of the iPhone 16 (Pro) has not been officially announced by Apple on their specifications page. The listed mAh for these devices come from a Chinese database with registered devices for sale.
Battery life overview per iPhone model
| Device | mAh | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 Pro | 3577 | — | — | 27 | 22 | 85 |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | 4676 | — | — | 33 | 29 | 105 |
| iPhone 16 | 3561 | — | — | 22 | 18 | 80 |
| iPhone 16 Plus | 4006 | — | — | 27 | 24 | 100 |
| iPhone 15 Pro | 3274 | — | — | 23 | 20 | 75 |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | 4422 | — | — | 29 | 25 | 95 |
| iPhone 15 | 3349 | — | — | 20 | 16 | 80 |
| iPhone 15 Plus | 4383 | — | — | 26 | 20 | 100 |
| iPhone 14 Pro | 3200 | — | — | 23 | 20 | 75 |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | 4323 | — | — | 29 | 25 | 95 |
| iPhone 14 | 3279 | — | — | 20 | 16 | 89 |
| iPhone 14 Plus | 4325 | — | — | 26 | 20 | 100 | iPhone SE 3rd gen. | 1812 | — | — | 15 | 10 | 50 |
| iPhone 13 Pro | 3095 | — | — | 22 | 20 | 75 |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | 4352 | — | — | 29 | 25 | 95 |
| iPhone 13 | 3095 | — | — | 19 | 15 | 75 |
| iPhone 13 mini | 2406 | — | — | 17 | 13 | 55 |
| iPhone 12 Pro | 2815 | — | — | 17 | 11 | 80 |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | 3687 | — | — | 20 | 12 | 65 |
| iPhone 12 | 2815 | — | — | 17 | 11 | 65 |
| iPhone 12 mini | 2227 | — | — | 15 | 10 | 50 |
| iPhone SE 2nd gen. | 1821 | — | — | 13 | 8 | 40 |
| iPhone 11 Pro | 3046 | — | — | 18 | 11 | 65 |
| iPhone 11 Pro Max | 3969 | — | — | 20 | 12 | 80 |
| iPhone 11 | 3110 | — | — | 17 | 10 | 65 |
| iPhone XS | 2659 | 20 | 12 | 14 | — | 60 |
| iPhone XS Max | 3179 | 25 | 13 | 15 | — | 65 |
| iPhone XR | 2942 | 25 | 15 | 16 | — | 65 |
| iPhone X | 2716 | 21 | 12 | 13 | — | 60 |
Explanation of symbols: ▸ call duration, ▸ internet, ▸ play video, ▸ streaming video, ▸ playing audio
Battery capacity increased
What is immediately noticeable is that the battery capacity has been increased for almost all models, the iPhone 16 Pro Max even has the longest battery life ever in an iPhone. The iPhone 16 Plus improves the least with only an hour gain in watching videos and 100 hours of music playback.
How long the battery of the iPhone 16 series will last for you is difficult to predict. This depends purely on the use, not everyone uses their iPhone in the same way and uses the same networks 3G / 4G / 5G.
The battery life figures give a result for comparable audio and video usage, allowing you to compare battery capacity between different iPhone models. Combined usage is simply not comparable and varies per user.
Always-on Display for iPhone 16 Pro
The always-on display on the iPhone 16 Pro (Max) ensures that the iPhone screen is always on and the lock screen is visible. By refreshing the screen at only 1Hz, the battery is saved.
The ProMotion OLED screen with dynamic refresh rate and the Display Engine in the A18 Pro chip ensure that the energy consumption of the Always-on access screen is reduced to a minimum. In addition, Apple has reduced the minimum brightness to 1 nit in the iPhone 16 series. This means that the always-on display can dim even further in a dark environment.
All these components ensure that you can easily last a day with your iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. And the battery gain is also significant for the iPhone 16 Pro.
Want to extend battery life on an iPhone 16 Pro (Max)? You can also disable the always-on display via Settings.
Fast charging drastically improved
Apple has improved wireless charging with MagSafe in the new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro by increasing the maximum capacity. For example, with the help of MagSafe you can wirelessly fast charge the device with 25 W, this was 15 W. For this you need a new MagSafe charger and a power adapter of at least 30 W.
If you charge the iPhone via a USB-C cable, you can tap 45 W, this was a maximum of 30 W. Here too, you will need a more powerful charger of at least 45 W.