Which phone is best when it comes to battery life?

One major qualm about modern smartphones is that their battery life just isn't what it used to be. Smartphones have got smarter but battery technology has remained at a standstill, with every new feature zapping the life out of devices.

However, some devices are still hanging onto their basic roots and it'll come as no surprise to hear that it's these devices that have the most impressive battery life. There are, however, some devices that can survive longer than lunchtime. They're few and far between, but they will change your life if you're forever reaching for the charger.

We delve into the world of battery longevity, suggesting the devices you should buy if you're fed up of your smartphone running out of battery by the time you get to the office.

Lenovo P2

Probably not many peoples' choice because Lenovo isn't best known for its smartphones, the Lenovo P2 eclipses every other phone's battery life, offering up a whopping 28.5 hours of usage.

This extensive battery life is made possible thanks to the 5100mAh battery squeezed into the P2's shell. Although this means it's a little chunkier than some of the other market leaders, the fact its battery life is so amazing will wow the majority of those looking for their device to last day without needing to charge.

Motorola's Moto Z Play

Motorola's Moto Z Play's battery will last almost a full 24 hours for average usage including making and taking calls, using email and apps including always-on social networks such as Facebook. This also includes watching video, making it a perfect companion if you commute to get to and from work.

The battery doesn't have a huge capacity in comparison to the Lenovo P2 at just 3510mAh, but that doesn't matter because the smaller screen takes less to power and it's more efficient with the power it holds.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

One issue with smartphones boasting a long battery life is that they more often than not are larger than you'd like from a smartphone. That's because the only way to get more juice out of a battery is by making it physically bigger.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus is certainly no shrinking violet, measuring 159.5x73.4x8.1mm, but that extra beef certainly goes some way towards making the device last all day. Its 3500 mAh will last around 18 hours if you're using it on and off all day, including making and taking calls, sending emails and texts, a little gameplay and video playback, making it one of the most powerful smartphones around in terms of battery power.

iPhone SE

If you're desperate for an iPhone with top battery life, it's worth checking out the iPhone SE, which boast more than 16 hours of juice - mostly because its slimmed-down features won't drain the battery like its iOS counterparts.

Although it only packs in a 1624mAh battery, which is significantly less than the other devices in this roundup, at least it will last all day, unlike any other iPhone on the market, making it a perfect option for those wanting the best of Apple without compromising on battery life.

Clare Hopping
Freelance writer

Clare is the founder of Blue Cactus Digital, a digital marketing company that helps ethical and sustainability-focused businesses grow their customer base.

Prior to becoming a marketer, Clare was a journalist, working at a range of mobile device-focused outlets including Know Your Mobile before moving into freelance life.

As a freelance writer, she drew on her expertise in mobility to write features and guides for ITPro, as well as regularly writing news stories on a wide range of topics.