iPhone 16 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S25: A 3-Week Battery Battle

Hey friends, Aijaz Uddin here! As a digital creator, my phone is my life. It's my camera, my office, and my connection to you all. And to be honest, if the phone's battery dies by 3 pm in the evening, everything becomes useless.

That's why when I got hold of the iPhone 16 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S25, I thought – let's give them a solid battery test. 3 weeks of battery battle in the real-world!

For the last 21 days, I tested these phones full-on – non-stop video shoots, social media scrolling, and late-night gaming sessions. So then, which phone won? Pick up the tea and let's go on my honest, no-nonsense journey.

First Impression: Unboxing and First Charge

As soon as the box is opened, the difference between the battery philosophy of Apple and Samsung is clearly felt.

iPhone 16 Pro

This time Apple hasincreased the battery size - it has been heard so. Apple never reveals the exact numbers, but after using the phone it seems that there is a lot of potential. The setup was super smooth, and charging also seemed quite fast. There is also a rumor of 40W wired charging, which could be a big upgrade.

Samsung Galaxy S25

Samsung is continuing its tradition of big battery. S25 has maybe 4,000 mAh battery and S25 Ultra has 5,000 mAh battery. Just looking at the specs gives some peace of mind.

But numbers alone don’t tell – the real test is in real life.

Week 1: Daily Hustle

The first week I had a normal routine – emails, social media, listening to music during the commute, and a little YouTube at night.

Morning

Both phones started the day strong. Unplugged at 7 AM, and both were chilling till lunch – no battery tension.

Afternoon

The game here became interesting. I am a content creator, so the afternoon time is spent in video shooting and editing – and this is the enemy of the battery. The iPhone 16 Pro handled this workload quite well – probably due to the efficiency improvements.

Evening

Both phones were still active by the end of the day. But when usage got heavy, the Samsung S25 managed to save a bit more battery – its bigger battery helped.

Week 2: Gaming and Streaming Test

In the second week, I pushed the phones even harder. I’m a big fan of mobile gaming, and also binge-watching.

Gaming

This is where the iPhone 16 Pro really shone. Apple’s hardware-software optimization is next level – games ran buttery smooth, and the phone didn’t get too hot. Battery drain was also minimal. Samsung S25 was also good in gaming, but got a bit warm and the battery got drained a bit quickly.

Streaming

Both phones were solid in YouTube and Netflix streaming. It was fun to see the AMOLED screen of Samsung S25. Both can stream for long hours, but the bigger battery of S25 gave a little extra advantage for long sessions.

Week 3: Travel Test – Real Challenge

In Week 3, I planned a weekend trip. This means – Google Maps navigation, loads of photos & videos, and full-time dependence on 5G.

The real test here is the battery. And honestly, both phones impressed. In earlier phones, I would have needed a power bank in between the travel day.

But both iPhone 16 Pro and Samsung S25 comfortably lasted a full day – without battery worries. iPhone ran a little longer overall, but Samsung S25 Ultra's standby mode was quite efficient – uses less battery during idle time.

So Who Won the Battery Battle?

After 3 weeks of intense use, my honest opinion – the race was quite close. Victory depends on your usage.

Choose iPhone 16 Pro if:

• You do heavy gaming or use demanding apps.
• You like a smooth hardware-software combo.
• You are already in the Apple ecosystem.

Choose Samsung S25 if:

• You want peace of mind with the biggest battery possible.
• You like to consume media – Netflix, YouTube, etc.
• You like the flexibility and customization of Android.

My Final Advice and a Helpful Tip

Both phones are the best when it comes to battery life. Efficiency improvements have changed the game.

Whether you have an iPhone or a Samsung – follow one tip: control screen brightness. Display is the biggest battery drainer. Keep it at a comfortable level – not too bright, not too dim – this simple habit will help your battery last a full day.

I hope my real-world test will help you! In the end, both phones are amazing – it just depends on your needs.

What do you say? Team iPhone or Team Samsung? Tell us in the comments below!