Iphone 6 Plus Vs Galaxy S5 Battery Is The Upgrade Worth It For Longer Life

When choosing between upgrading from an iPhone 6 Plus to a Galaxy S5—or vice versa—battery life is often a deciding factor. Both devices launched in 2014, just months apart, and represented flagship models of their time. While design, ecosystem, and software matter, daily usability hinges on how long your phone lasts without needing a recharge. For users considering a switch or upgrade between these two iconic smartphones, understanding their real-world battery performance, degradation patterns, and overall efficiency is essential.

This article breaks down the battery specifications, usage scenarios, charging behavior, and long-term reliability of both devices to answer one critical question: Is switching from the iPhone 6 Plus to the Galaxy S5 (or the other way around) truly worthwhile for improved battery longevity?

Battery Specifications at a Glance

The foundation of any battery comparison starts with raw hardware data. While numbers don’t tell the whole story, they provide a baseline for expectations.

Device	Battery Capacity (mAh)	Removable Battery	Charging Speed (Standard)	Standby Time (Official)
iPhone 6 Plus	2915 mAh	No	5W (via Lightning)	Up to 10 days (3G)
Samsung Galaxy S5	2800 mAh	Yes	5W (via Micro-USB)	Up to 11 days (3G)

On paper, the iPhone 6 Plus has a slight edge in capacity. However, Apple’s tight integration of hardware and software often leads to more efficient power management compared to Android counterparts—even those running optimized skins like Samsung’s TouchWiz at the time.

Tip: Never fully drain lithium-ion batteries regularly. Keeping charge between 20% and 80% prolongs lifespan.

Real-World Battery Performance and Daily Usage

In practice, user experience diverges significantly from manufacturer claims. Real battery life depends on screen brightness, network strength, background apps, and usage intensity.

The iPhone 6 Plus features a 5.5-inch 750x1334 display, while the Galaxy S5 sports a slightly larger 5.1-inch 1080p Super AMOLED panel. Despite the higher resolution, the S5’s AMOLED screen can be more energy-efficient when displaying dark content—but defaults to brighter settings that consume more power.

Users consistently reported that the iPhone 6 Plus delivered closer to its advertised endurance. Moderate users could stretch it to 1.5 days, especially if using Wi-Fi over LTE and keeping notifications minimal. In contrast, the Galaxy S5 typically lasted a full day under similar conditions but struggled beyond that unless set to extreme power-saving modes.

“Efficiency isn't just about mAh—it's about how the OS schedules tasks, manages radios, and handles background processes.” — David Lin, Mobile Systems Engineer

iOS tends to suspend background activity more aggressively than Android, which contributes to better standby performance. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S5’s customizable interface allowed greater flexibility but often led to increased battery drain due to live widgets, sync services, and third-party apps running in the background.

Lifespan and Long-Term Degradation

Battery longevity refers not only to daily runtime but also how well the battery holds its capacity over time. After two years of regular use, most lithium-ion batteries retain about 70–80% of their original capacity.

The iPhone 6 Plus uses a sealed battery, meaning replacement requires professional service or DIY disassembly. By contrast, the Galaxy S5 allows users to swap out the battery easily—a major advantage for extending device lifespan. If the original battery degrades, a new $15 replacement can restore near-original performance.

This modularity gives the Galaxy S5 a clear edge for users prioritizing long-term ownership. An iPhone 6 Plus with a worn battery becomes sluggish and unreliable unless serviced—an inconvenience that many users avoid until forced by poor performance.

Checklist: Extending Battery Lifespan on Either Device

• Keep devices below 80% charge when possible
• Avoid leaving phones in hot environments (e.g., cars in sunlight)
• Use airplane mode overnight or during low-usage periods
• Disable unnecessary location tracking and push email
• Replace batteries every 2–3 years for optimal performance

Upgrade Value: Is the Switch Worth It?

For someone moving from an iPhone 6 Plus to a Galaxy S5 today—likely in a secondary or budget-conscious context—the battery upgrade offers mixed benefits.

If you value convenience and consistent optimization, the iPhone 6 Plus still delivers reliable all-day performance with moderate use, assuming the battery hasn’t degraded. But if you're operating with a worn-out iPhone battery and lack access to easy replacements, the Galaxy S5’s removable battery becomes a compelling reason to switch.

Moreover, the S5 supports Ultra Power Saving Mode, which converts the display to grayscale and disables non-essential functions, potentially squeezing another half-day from a nearly dead battery. The iPhone 6 Plus introduced Low Power Mode in iOS 9, which extends life by reducing visual effects and background activity—but doesn’t match the S5’s extreme conservation option.

However, ecosystem loyalty plays a big role. Switching from iOS to Android (or vice versa) involves relearning workflows, transferring data, and adjusting to different app ecosystems. For many, this friction outweighs marginal gains in battery flexibility.

Mini Case Study: Maria’s Cross-Platform Transition

Maria had used her iPhone 6 Plus since 2015. By 2017, she noticed rapid battery drain—dropping from 100% to 30% within three hours of light use. Frustrated by repair costs and Apple’s batterygate slowdown controversy, she switched to a used Galaxy S5 purchased online for $50.

She appreciated being able to buy two spare batteries for less than $20 total. On weekends, she’d carry a charged backup and swap it midday. Though she missed iMessage and some iOS-exclusive apps, the ability to maintain full functionality without daily anxiety over charging made the transition worthwhile.

Her advice? “If you’re keeping a phone past two years, go for replaceable parts. It saves money and stress.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Galaxy S5 really last longer than the iPhone 6 Plus?

Under identical usage, the difference is minimal. The iPhone 6 Plus generally offers smoother power efficiency, while the S5 compensates with aggressive power-saving features and a swappable battery. In real terms, neither dominates decisively—context matters more than specs.

Can I improve battery life on either phone now?

Absolutely. Disable Bluetooth, GPS, and Wi-Fi when unused. Lower screen brightness and timeout duration. Remove unused apps that run background processes. These steps can extend usable time by several hours, even on aging hardware.

Which phone should I keep if I only want one for emergencies?

The Galaxy S5 wins here due to its removable battery. You can store a fully charged spare and activate the phone instantly after months of dormancy. The iPhone 6 Plus risks deep discharge damage if left uncharged for extended periods.

Final Verdict: Practical Advice for Users Today

As of 2024, neither the iPhone 6 Plus nor the Galaxy S5 qualifies as a primary smartphone for most users. App support has waned, security updates have ceased, and modern apps strain their processors. However, for backup use, travel, or elderly family members, both remain functional—if managed wisely.

If battery longevity is your top concern, the Galaxy S5 holds a practical advantage thanks to its user-replaceable battery and aggressive power-saving tools. The iPhone 6 Plus may feel more polished in daily operation, but its sealed design makes long-term maintenance harder and costlier.

Ultimately, the \"upgrade\" isn’t about raw performance—it’s about control. The ability to swap a battery instantly gives the S5 a resilience that the 6 Plus simply can’t match without external help.

🚀 Ready to make the most of your older device? Assess your current battery health, consider a replacement if needed, and apply these tips to squeeze every last hour of life from your phone. Share your experience—help others decide what works best!