When using a smartphone every day, battery life is an important point that many users are concerned about.
Japanese users in particular have often complained that, "Even though it's a new iPhone, the battery drains faster than I expected," and "I'm concerned about the heat generated when watching videos for long periods of time."
Apple continues to optimize its chip performance and software every year, but many people wonder, "Are the improvements actually noticeable?"
In this article, we will compare the battery performance of the latest model, the iPhone 17, with that of the previous generation iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 , and thoroughly examine it based on actual measurement data.
In addition, we have compiled information to help you maximize battery life, including tips on charging speed, heat generation, and power-saving settings.
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1. Battery capacity and chip power saving performance
The iPhone 17 series is equipped with the latest A19 chip .
The chip boasts around 10% higher transistor density than the previous-generation A18, enabling more efficient power management.
According to Apple's official announcement, the device achieves "up to 12% power savings under the same conditions of use."
In addition, the display's ProMotion technology has been further optimized, reducing the refresh rate to 1Hz when viewing still images or in standby mode, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption.
As a result, even users who spend a lot of time on the screen can clearly feel the battery draining slowly.
| Model | Battery capacity (mAh) | Tips | Power efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | 3,692 | A19 | Approximately 12% improvement |
| iPhone 16 | 3,561 | A18 | ○ |
| iPhone 15 | 3,349 | A16 | △ |
In addition to a slight increase in capacity, the iPhone 17's internal structure has been made more efficient, allowing for stable power supply while reducing heat generation.
In particular, "power optimization during background operation" has been improved, and even if you have social media and map apps open at the same time, it seems that the power consumption is less noticeable than before.
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2. Actual measurement test: Comparison with videos, games, and social media
Now let's see how much the battery life has actually improved.
We tested the iPhone 17, 16, and 15 in the same environment under the following conditions.
Test conditions:
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Screen brightness: 70%
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Wi-Fi connection/5G on
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Volume 50%
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Under the same app conditions (YouTube / Genshin / Instagram)
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Room temperature: constant 24℃
| Usage test | iPhone 17 | iPhone 16 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video playback (YouTube) | Approximately 12 hours and 30 minutes | Approximately 11 hours and 10 minutes | Approximately 10 hours and 5 minutes |
| Game (Genshin) | Approximately 6 hours and 40 minutes | Approximately 5 hours and 55 minutes | Approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes |
| Social media (Instagram/X) | Approximately 10 hours and 50 minutes | Approximately 9 hours and 45 minutes | Approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes |
As the test results show, the iPhone 17 can be used for 1 to 1.5 hours longer overall .
The synergistic effect of the power-saving chip and OS optimization is particularly evident during medium-load tasks such as video playback and social media use.
It maintains a stable frame rate when playing games, while also reducing battery consumption, and is less likely to heat up even when playing for long periods of time, which is a major improvement.
In actual user experience, some users have said that "even after playing Genshin for two hours, the device does not heat up or freeze."
3. Charging speed and heat generation verification
In addition to battery life, charging speed and heat generation are important in everyday life.
The iPhone 17 continues to support fast charging up to 27W, but the internal thermal control (heat management) structure has been significantly revised to allow charging at a stable speed while reducing heat generation.
| Model | Wired charging (up to 50%) | Wireless charging (up to 50%) | Heat generation temperature (maximum) |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | 23 minutes | 42 minutes | 38.2℃ |
| iPhone 16 | 25 minutes | 45 minutes | 40.1℃ |
| iPhone 15 | 27 minutes | 49 minutes | 42.0℃ |
In our tests, the iPhone 17 generated the least heat and maintained a stable temperature .
The A19 chip's new heat control algorithm works effectively to prevent battery degradation even during heavy loads such as gaming and video recording.
It is estimated that the rate at which the battery will deteriorate over long-term use will be approximately 10 to 15% slower than previous models.
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4. Comparison with other models: Differences with the Galaxy S24
Let's also compare it with the Galaxy S24, a high-end Android model.
The S24 is equipped with a large 4,000mAh battery, but the power-saving design of the iPhone 17 took the lead in actual usage time.
| Model | Battery capacity | Video playback duration |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | 3,755mAh | Approximately 12 hours and 30 minutes |
| Galaxy S24 | 4,000mAh | Approximately 11 hours and 55 minutes |
Although the Galaxy S24 has a larger capacity, it consumes more power due to display brightness control and background operations, resulting in the iPhone 17 lasting about 30 minutes longer in actual use .
In other words, Apple's expertise in integrated optimization of hardware and software is proving to be more effective than the numbers suggest.
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5. Battery saving tips and settings
No matter how powerful a battery you have, its lifespan can vary greatly depending on your settings.
You can further extend your battery life by simply paying attention to the following points:
Recommended power saving settings
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Low Power Mode always on (Settings → Battery → Low Power Mode)
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Set screen brightness to auto adjust
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Limit background updates to only necessary apps
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Change location services to "While in use only"
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Turn off Always-On Display (Pro model)
Also, when using MagSafe accessories, be careful as metal plates or thick cases can cause heat generation and reduced charging efficiency.
By using genuine Apple or MagSafe compatible accessories, you can expect stable charging and temperature control.
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6. Looking ahead: What will happen with the iPhone 18?
Apple is already reportedly considering a move to "silicon-carbon batteries" for the iPhone 18 series.
This new material is denser, lighter, and more resistant to heat, and is expected to improve battery life by more than 20% in the next-generation iPhone .
The improvements to the iPhone 17 are a highly complete first step, and can be said to be a practical update that reflects user feedback.
Summary: The iPhone 17 is a definite evolution of the "power-efficient smartphone"
The iPhone 17's battery life is definitely improved.
Not only has the capacity been increased, but the A19 chip's improved power efficiency, heat control, and software optimization are also functioning effectively.
Not only can it be used comfortably for long periods of video viewing, gaming, and social media use, but charging time has also been reduced, significantly improving overall usability.
For users who are out and about for long periods of time, video creators, and gamers, the iPhone 17 is truly a device that combines stability and efficiency.
