The best battery life phone 2022

 Which phones have the best battery life? If you want the longest-lasting smartphone out there, these are the handsets to consider

No matter what you're looking for in a smartphone, one thing's certain, you'll want to make sure it offers decent battery life.

It's no good having a phone with a killer display for streaming video or a top-notch camera if it turns into a paperweight after only a few hours of use. For some, long battery life is essential, whether as a means to stay connected to someone or if you're one to venture out, away from a viable power source, for days at a time.

Bad battery life on smartphones is something we’ve all grown to tolerate. While Apple’s iPhone was once the device that always needed charging by lunchtime, it was never the only culprit - though thanks to major progress on Apple's part, for the first time in a while we do feature one of the latest iPhones in our battery ranking now.

You can, of course, charge during the day if that doesn’t bother you or even carry around a power bank to top up your phone when away from the wall plug, but if you don’t want to keep checking that percentage icon, then here are the phones that you should look to.

Best battery phones 2022

1. Nokia XR20 - Longest-lasting

• Pros: Resilient design | Extended warranty | Clean Android user experience | 5G
• Cons: Middling performance | Only 60Hz display | No power adapter in box
• RRP:  £399 (4+64GB) | £449 (6+128GB), $549 (6+128GB)

Battery test score: 18:48
Battery capacity: 4470mAh

Despite being pricier than the 2021 Motorola Defy, we found the Nokia XR20 to strike the right balance, in terms of what those after a rugged phone might be looking for; with battery life being a particular highlight.

It offers better raw performance compared to its most like-minded rival – the Defy – and an impressively hardy design that doesn't look all that bad and also comes with a great extended warranty.

5G, a headphone jack and Nokia's characteristically easy-to-use Android user experience are highlights too.

Read our full Nokia XR20 review.

2. Motorola Defy (2021) - Rugged design

• Pros: Resilient design | Affordable | Clean Android user experience
• Cons: Lacklustre performance | Low resolution display | Basic cameras
• RRP:  £279, Price TBC

Battery test score: 17:27
Battery capacity: 5000mAh

Making a worthwhile rugged phone isn't cheap and yet Motorola's managed to make a solid offering in the revived 2021 Defy.

It struggles to keep step with like-minded rival, the Nokia XR20, in terms of performance but we can't knock its hardy design, or its sizeable 5000mAh battery; which delivers some exceptional longevity. 20W fast charging isn't the quickest around, but we'd rather have it than not.

While the display also misses the mark with its sub-Full HD resolution, Motorola's clean Android experience does at least ensure it's nice to use.

Read our full Motorola Defy review.

3. Vivo Y20s - Most affordable

• Pros: Attractive design | Simple software
• Cons: Underwhelming display | Basic camera | Micro-USB | No 5G
• RRP:  £149, £149 (about $200)

Battery test score: 17:10
Battery capacity: 5000mAh

One of the most affordable phones in Vivo's current portfolio, the Y20s prioritises battery life by pairing a large capacity cell with a low resolution 720p display and a modest Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 SoC.

For the price, you lose out of features like 5G but the phone still offers a clean and simple user experience, and a triple rear camera setup. Fast charging snappier than 18W would have been nice, though.

Read our full Vivo Y20s review.

4. Doogee S58 Pro - Budget friendly

• Pros: Rugged design | Wireless charging
• Cons: Lacklustre performance | Low resolution display | Basic cameras
• RRP:  £169.99, From $229.99

Battery test score: 17:01
Battery capacity: 5180mAh

A budget offering that specialises in being resilient and long-lasting. The cameras and performance aren't great but the S58 Pro will still serve those looking for a device that can withstand an active lifestyle and long stints away from the wall plug well.

With some of the best battery longevity that we've tested, the S58 Pro is a great option for hikers, divers or people who work in extreme conditions. The one thing no-one can complain about is the battery, which lasts multiple days on a single charge.

Read our full Doogee S58 Pro review.

5. Moto G9 Play - Great value

• Pros: Affordable | Lightweight | Clean Android user experience
• Cons: Plastic build | Lacklustre cameras | Dim display
• RRP:  £159.99

Battery test score: 16:04
Battery capacity: 5000mAh

A surprising standout in a sea of Moto G phones, the Moto G9 Power packs in a 5000mAh battery cell, which offers up enough juice for multiple days usage at a time.

If you're not hankering after super-fast 5G mobile speeds, the Play is a great affordable option with a big screen and a huge battery.

The display needs work, as does the camera, but for the price and paired with Motorola's slick user experience, the G9 Play isn't a bad budget offering by any means.

Read our full Moto G9 Play review.

6. iPhone 13 Pro Max - Best battery iPhone

• Pros: Powerful cameras | Smooth 120Hz display | Fast performance
• Cons: Expensive | Big and bulky
• RRP:  £1,049 (128GB), £1,149 (256GB), £1,349 (512GB), £1,549 (1TB), $1,099 (128GB), $1,199 (256GB), $1,399 (512GB), $1,599 (1TB)

Battery test score: N/A
Battery capacity: 4352mAh

The accepted wisdom is that iPhones have bad battery life, and for a while that's been true. Luckily that changed with the iPhone 13 series, none more so than the 13 Pro Max.

This is the rare flagship phone that still offers multi-day performance, though you do pay a price for it – quite literally – as it's an extortionately expensive phone.

You'll have to get used to the size too, but if you don't mind using Apple's biggest iPhone yet, then you'll be rewarded with phenomenal cameras, top-notch performance, and an ultra-smooth display – all of which finally last for days.

Read our full Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max review.

7. Asus ROG Phone 5 - Best for gaming

• Pros: Optimised gaming features | Great 144Hz AMOLED display | Top-notch performance
• Cons: Unwieldy | Heat management issues
• RRP:  From £799, TBC

Battery test score: 15:44
Battery capacity: 6000mAh

If you're considering phones for their battery life, there's a chance it's because you're looking for a great mobile gaming device.

Asus ROG Phone series is one of the most established members in the category and the ROG Phone 5 impresses with exceptional longevity, paired with some seriously high-end internals.

So long as you're onboard with the unwieldy size of this 6.78in gaming behemoth and its tendency to get a little toasty after extended gaming sessions, Asus' ROG Phone can keep you entertained for hours.

Read our full Asus ROG Phone 5 review.

8. Realme 8 Pro - Elegant design

• Pros: Thin, lightweight design | Rapid charging | Solid main camera
• Cons: Unreliable fingerprint sensor | Middling performance | Plastic