Apple’s new iPhone 16 series is here, and with it, a lot of questions about how well the phones’ batteries perform. The iPhone 16e and the iPhone 16 both boast all-day battery life, but which one lasts longer? We put both phones to the test to see how they perform in real-world conditions, including gaming, video streaming, and everyday use.

iPhone 16e – Bigger Battery, Longer Life

We’ve got a bigger battery in the iPhone 16e than we do in the iPhone 16, and it makes a difference. When we’re watching videos, playing games, or scrolling through social media, the battery holds up really well. We easily get through a day of heavy use, even with the most intensive tasks. Apple has optimized the battery with a power-efficient chip, so the phone can manage energy more efficiently. Background apps use less power, and the phone delivers strong performance without getting too hot.

We got around 9 hours of screen-on time with typical usage—gaming, social media, browsing—and when we streamed video, the 16e lasted for nearly 15 hours without needing to be recharged. Standby time is fantastic too, so if you’re only using your phone lightly, you’ll be able to go over a day without charging.

iPhone 16 – Still Strong, But Slightly Behind

The iPhone 16 also has great battery life, but it isn’t as long-lasting as the iPhone 16e. Its slightly smaller battery means you’ll need to plug it in a bit sooner, especially if you’re a heavy user. But, if you’re just messaging, browsing, and watching YouTube, it will still get you through the day. Just like the iPhone 16e, Apple’s latest A-series chip keeps power consumption efficient so the phone runs smoothly without draining the battery too quickly.

We got about 7. 5 hours of screen-on time during testing, which is still good but not quite as good as the iPhone 16e. During video playback, we got about 12. 5 hours of run time before the phone shut down. Gaming eats up battery quickly, so if you play a lot of high-performance games you may want to plug it in by the evening. If you do run out of juice, you can always fast charge it — the phone supports fast charging and can get up to 50 percent charge in just 30 minutes using a fast charger.

Which One Should You Pick?

But if you need the most juice, get the iPhone 16e. It lasts longer and charges quickly. The iPhone 16 is still great, but has slightly less battery. Both deliver dependable performance with Apple’s latest tech.