Foldable Phone Battery Life Tested: Which Device Lasts Longest
A recent evaluation of foldable phones reveals how devices from Apple, Samsung, Google, and Motorola compare in battery endurance and streaming tests.
Historically, foldable phones have faced criticism regarding battery longevity due to their unique configurations, massive displays, hinge mechanisms, and limited space for heat dissipation. However, advancements in battery technology, including higher-energy-density silicon-carbon batteries and more power-efficient processors, are helping newer devices overcome these hurdles. A recent assessment examines how book-style and clamshell foldables stack up in battery testing.
To evaluate battery performance, testers ran a 3-hour streaming video test and a 45-minute endurance test featuring video playback, social media scrolling, gaming, and a video call. Both tests utilized the inner screen of each device starting from a full charge while connected to Wi-Fi. The lineup included five book-style models: the Apple iPhone Duo, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, the Z Fold 8 Ultra, the Motorola Razr Fold, and the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold.
Comparing Book-Style and Clamshell Performance
Apple’s $1,999 iPhone Duo secured the highest average score among book-style devices, aided by a dual-cell battery design and the A20 Pro chip. The device recorded a 99% remaining charge after the 45-minute endurance test and finished the 3-hour streaming test with 84%, operating on a 4,883-mAh battery. Motorola’s Razr Fold followed closely with a 6,000-mAh silicon-carbon battery. Meanwhile, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 features a 4,800-mAh battery, and the Z Fold 8 Ultra packs a 5,000-mAh battery, while Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold includes a 4,806-mAh battery.
For users favoring clamshell devices, options like the $800 Motorola Razr, $1,100 Razr Plus, $1,500 Razr Ultra, and $1,200 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 also rely on silicon-carbon batteries. The baseline Motorola Razr achieved the top average score among flip phones in testing, securing the highest result in the 3-hour streaming test for its category and tying with the Razr Ultra in the endurance test. These clamshell models benefit from smaller cover and inner displays that require less power, allowing them to remain competitive alongside larger book-style counterparts.