Iphone 11 Pro Max Vs Galaxy S10 Plus Is The Battery Life Upgrade Worth It

When Apple released the iPhone 11 Pro Max in 2019, one of its biggest selling points was improved battery life over previous models. Meanwhile, Samsung’s Galaxy S10 Plus, launched earlier that same year, had already set a strong benchmark for Android flagships with solid endurance. For users caught between ecosystems—or considering an upgrade—the question remains: does the iPhone 11 Pro Max offer enough of a battery life improvement over the S10 Plus to justify switching or upgrading?

This isn’t just about raw specs. It's about how these devices perform under daily use, how software affects efficiency, and whether the difference translates into real-world convenience. Let’s break down the numbers, user experiences, and long-term implications to determine if the battery upgrade truly delivers value.

Battery Capacity and Official Ratings

On paper, the Galaxy S10 Plus holds a larger battery than the iPhone 11 Pro Max. The S10 Plus features a 4,100mAh cell, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max comes with a slightly smaller 3,969mAh unit. At first glance, this suggests the Samsung device should last longer. However, battery capacity alone doesn't tell the full story—efficiency, display technology, processor optimization, and software management play critical roles.

Apple claimed up to 20 hours of video playback for the 11 Pro Max, while Samsung advertised around 15–17 hours for the S10 Plus under similar conditions. Independent tests from outlets like GSMArena and CNET revealed that the iPhone 11 Pro Max consistently outperformed not only its predecessor but also many Android rivals at the time—including the S10 Plus—in continuous web browsing and video looping tests.

Tip: Don’t judge battery life solely by mAh ratings. System-level optimization often matters more than raw capacity.

Real-World Usage Comparison

In practical terms, both phones are capable of lasting a full day for moderate users. But differences emerge under heavy workloads such as streaming, gaming, navigation, or multitasking across multiple apps.

The iPhone 11 Pro Max benefits from Apple’s A13 Bionic chip, which is built on a power-efficient 7nm process and tightly integrated with iOS. This synergy allows iOS to manage background tasks more effectively, reducing unnecessary drain. Additionally, iOS tends to suspend inactive apps rather than letting them run freely, which conserves energy.

On the other hand, the Galaxy S10 Plus runs on either the Exynos 9820 (in some regions) or Snapdragon 855 (in others), both powerful but less efficient than Apple’s silicon in sustained performance scenarios. Android’s multitasking model allows more background activity, which can increase battery consumption—even with Samsung’s optimizations in One UI.

“Battery life isn’t just about hardware—it’s a balance of processor efficiency, OS intelligence, and user behavior.” — David Liu, Mobile Performance Analyst at TechInsight Labs

Detailed Battery Performance Table

Metric	iPhone 11 Pro Max	Galaxy S10 Plus
Battery Capacity	3,969 mAh	4,100 mAh
Video Playback (Manufacturer)	Up to 20 hours	Up to 15 hours
Web Browsing (GSMArena Test)	14 hours	11 hours
Standby Time (72-hour test)	Minimal drain (~5%)	Moderate drain (~15%)
Charging Speed	18W fast charging (adapter sold separately)	15W fast charging (included)
Wireless Charging	Yes (Qi standard)	Yes (Qi + Reverse Wireless)

As shown, despite the smaller battery, the iPhone 11 Pro Max achieves longer active usage times due to superior system integration. The S10 Plus offers reverse wireless charging—a feature absent on the iPhone—which lets you charge accessories or another phone, adding utility but consuming power faster when used.

User Case: Two Days, Two Devices

Consider Sarah, a freelance photographer who uses her phone heavily for GPS navigation, photo editing, messaging, and social media uploads. She tested both devices over two separate workweeks.

With the Galaxy S10 Plus, she found herself charging midday during shoots unless she carried a portable charger. Screen-on time averaged around 5.5 hours before reaching 20% battery by evening. On the iPhone 11 Pro Max, however, she regularly achieved 6.5+ hours of screen time and still had 30% left at the end of a 12-hour workday. She attributed this not only to better battery life but also to fewer background interruptions and smoother app transitions.

Sarah noted that even though she preferred Android’s customization, the iPhone’s consistency in daily endurance made a tangible difference in her productivity.

Tip: If your job involves constant connectivity and media use, even a 1–2 hour advantage in battery life can reduce stress and dependency on chargers.

Charging and Longevity Considerations

While the iPhone 11 Pro Max lasts longer per charge, the S10 Plus has an edge in included accessories: it ships with a 15W fast charger, whereas Apple sells the 18W adapter separately. Without it, the iPhone defaults to slower 5W charging via the standard USB-A cable, taking nearly three hours to reach full capacity.

Fast charging on the 11 Pro Max can replenish 50% in about 30 minutes with the proper adapter, making it competitive. Both phones support wireless charging, but the S10 Plus goes further with Wireless PowerShare, allowing it to act as a power bank for compatible devices—an innovative feature for travelers or those supporting wearables.

In terms of long-term battery health, iOS provides clearer tools. The iPhone includes \"Battery Health\" monitoring with peak capacity percentages and performance throttling warnings. Android has improved in recent years, but Samsung’s implementation is less transparent, often requiring third-party apps to assess true battery degradation.

Actionable Checklist: Maximizing Battery Life on Either Device

• Enable Dark Mode: Both OLED screens benefit significantly from dark themes, reducing pixel power draw.
• Limit Background App Refresh: Disable auto-refresh for non-essential apps to prevent hidden drain.
• Adjust Screen Brightness: Use adaptive brightness or manual control to avoid maximum levels unnecessarily.
• Turn Off Location Services When Not Needed: High-accuracy GPS is a major battery consumer.
• Update Regularly: Both Apple and Samsung release efficiency improvements through OS updates.
• Use Wi-Fi Over Data: Cellular networks, especially 4G/LTE, consume more power than stable Wi-Fi connections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the iPhone 11 Pro Max battery better than the Galaxy S10 Plus overall?

Yes, in most real-world scenarios. Despite the smaller physical battery, the iPhone delivers longer screen-on time and better standby efficiency thanks to optimized hardware-software integration. Users report an extra 1–3 hours of active use compared to the S10 Plus.

Can I extend the battery life of my Galaxy S10 Plus to match the iPhone?

You can improve it significantly through settings adjustments—like enabling power-saving modes, using dark mode, and restricting background apps—but matching the iPhone’s endurance is unlikely due to inherent system-level inefficiencies in Android’s architecture and Samsung’s software layer.

Does battery degradation differ between the two after two years?

Both devices use lithium-ion batteries with similar chemical lifespans (around 500 full charge cycles). However, iOS provides more accurate battery health tracking and proactive management. Samsung devices may show signs of throttling without clear user notification, making it harder to anticipate performance drops.

Final Verdict: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

If you're currently using a Galaxy S10 Plus and considering a switch primarily for better battery life, the iPhone 11 Pro Max does deliver a measurable improvement. The combination of efficient hardware, intelligent power management, and consistent performance makes it a stronger choice for users who rely on their phone throughout the day without easy access to charging.

However, “worth it” depends on your priorities. If you value ecosystem flexibility, expandable storage, headphone jack (via adapter), and reverse charging, the S10 Plus still holds advantages. But if seamless all-day reliability is your top concern—and especially if you’re already invested in Apple’s ecosystem—the battery life upgrade is absolutely worthwhile.

For new buyers choosing between these models secondhand or refurbished, the iPhone 11 Pro Max emerges as the more future-proof option in terms of daily usability and long-term satisfaction, assuming you’re comfortable with iOS.

💬 Have you switched from the Galaxy S10 Plus to the iPhone 11 Pro Max—or vice versa? Share your experience with battery life in the comments below!