When Apple introduces its latest iPhones, it’s simple to feel overwhelmed by the jargon. After just thirty minutes, you may start desiring a phone equipped with a “vapor chamber thermal management system” and earbuds featuring a “workout buddy” option.

Amid the eye-catching specifications and promotional wording, what do you genuinely want from a new phone? For me, enhancements in battery life are crucial, and fortunately, Apple has come through. The most notable upgrade among the new devices — iPhones, Watches, and AirPods Pro — is indeed battery life.

Except for one instance, which we’ll address shortly.

Longer commutes shouldn’t pose a problem anymore, even with Transparency or Hearing Aid functionalities.

Beginning with the AirPods Pro 3, the battery life now reaches an impressive 8 hours with Active Noise Cancellation, a substantial increase from the 6 hours of the AirPods Pro 2. If you utilize the Hearing Aid feature, the enhancement is even more remarkable; 10 hours of listening time compared to 6 hours on the previous version.

A compelling reason to finally acquire the Watch

Next is the Apple Watch Series 11, now providing 24 hours of battery life (a minimum requirement for a smartwatch, in my view; a rise from 18 hours on the earlier model, which was inadequate). If you opt for the Ultra, you will receive 42 hours of battery life versus 36 hours on the predecessor. The only new Watch still at 18 hours of battery life is the Apple Watch SE 3, likely due to necessary cost reductions on Apple’s part.

With 42 hours of standard usage and 72 hours in Low Power mode, even those venturing on multi-day hikes may find the new Ultra 3 appropriate.

Let’s celebrate these improvements. After several iterations, the Apple Watch finally reaches the benchmark of all-day battery life (and more with Low Power mode). For me, insufficient battery life was a significant impediment that affected my satisfaction with Apple Watches throughout the years.

Owners of smartwatches or fitness trackers from other brands like Garmin or Polar, typically known for their multi-day battery life, might scoff at these numbers. Nonetheless, Apple’s priority has consistently been the “smart” features first, leaving users to figure out how to sustain battery life throughout the day (personally, I keep chargers everywhere and charge my Series 11 whenever I can; it’s not ideal).

The new iPhones are also champions of battery life

The iPhone 17 Pro Max features the largest battery ever installed in an iPhone.

At last, the iPhone. The iPhone 17 now claims up to 30 hours of video playback, an upgrade from 22 hours on the iPhone 16. This marks a substantial enhancement; so significant, in fact, that I will need to see it for myself before fully believing it.

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max have undergone similar improvements. The iPhone 17 Pro now allows for up to 33 hours of video playback (up from 27 hours on the 16 Pro), while the Pro Max — boasting the largest battery in iPhone history — offers up to 39 hours of video playback, an increase from 33 hours on its predecessor.

As someone who can rapidly deplete the battery of any device — often referred to in the industry as a “heavy user” or simply an “annoyance” — I deeply value these enhancements. This is what motivates me to invest in Apple products. Once again, I will believe it when I see it, but Apple’s statistics tend to be quite precise in practice.

Hold on, what about the iPhone Air?

The iPhone Air lags slightly in terms of battery performance, but it’s better than it may first appear.

Finally, we have the outlier — the ultra-slim, new iPhone Air. It’s stylish, it’s recent, it’s lightweight, yet it has the shortest advertised battery life among the new models — up to 27 hours of video playback, three less than the iPhone 17.

While this sounds underwhelming, it matches the battery life of last year’s iPhone 16 Plus. It should easily last a full day, perhaps even more. Unfortunately for Apple, it will be measured against the new devices, leading to endless frustrations about battery longevity. Possibly from me as well.

Apple is mindful of this, which is why it’s encouraging iPhone Air purchasers to also invest in the optional MagSafe battery. It even details battery life stats with and without that additional battery in its technical specifications. With the MagSafe, battery life extends to an impressive 40 hours, but the iPhone Air’s sleek design fades away.

The final judgment on the iPhone Air remains uncertain. However, overall, if you’re thinking about acquiring a new iPhone, Watch, or AirPods Pro, Apple has provided a strong incentive to consider the latest models. Some of these battery life enhancements represent some of the most substantial advancements Apple has made with these devices. And indeed, one can never have too