June 26, 2025, 9:30 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Starting in June 2025, all smartphones and tablets sold in the EU will be required to have an energy label. This aims to quickly show customers how efficient, durable, and repair-friendly smartphones truly are. Surprisingly, none of the top models from Apple, Samsung, and others are among the devices with the best battery life.
Like washing machines and dishwashers, smartphones in the EU now also carry an energy label. This label not only provides information about energy efficiency but also offers detailed data on battery life, repairability, and more. TECHBOOK reveals which devices last the longest on a single charge.
What Does the EU Energy Label for Smartphones Reveal?
The new EU energy label for smartphones and tablets is modeled after the familiar labels for household appliances. It gives consumers an overview of six categories set by the EU:
- Energy efficiency class (from A to G)
- Battery life (according to a standardized testing procedure)
- Battery lifespan (charging cycles)
- Drop resistance (from A to E)
- Repairability (from A to E)
- Protection against water and dust (IP certification)
The label must be clearly visible to buyers, both in physical stores and online shops.
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Outdoor Models Have the Longest Battery Life
The European Commission’s database currently includes 659 registered devices. Of these, nearly 22 percent have received the top grade “A,” and nearly 23 percent have a “B” rating. However, TECHBOOK was particularly interested in the battery life of the listed devices. Here are the smartphones that, according to the EU label, last the longest on a single charge:
The top 10 smartphones according to the EU energy label are exclusively outdoor models from Blackview, Oukitel, ulefone, and others. This makes sense, as these large devices often have batteries with capacities of several tens of thousands of milliampere-hours (mAh).
It is somewhat puzzling, however, that several devices have exactly the same battery life (166 hours and 39 minutes) despite having significantly different capacities. For instance, the Blackview BV7300, with a capacity of 33,000 mAh, is said to have the same battery life as the Oscal Pilot 1, which has just 15,000 mAh. Either manufacturers are manipulating their data, or the standardized testing procedure mandated by the EU Commission is flawed. It is conceivable that the procedure does not allow for reporting times longer than 166 hours and 39 minutes. TECHBOOK has asked the European Commission for clarification but has not yet received a response.
Apple and Samsung Not in the Top 200
Traditional manufacturers like Motorola and OnePlus appear only well beyond the first 100 places. Those looking for an Apple or Samsung smartphone will have to scroll far down the EU list.
Rank 257 is shared by the iPhone 16 Plus and 16 Pro Max, each with a battery life of 48 hours. Further down, at rank 275, is the first Samsung device, the Galaxy A16 4G, which lasts 45 hours and 10 minutes.
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Manufacturers Self-Assess
The EU requires manufacturers to test their devices themselves using standardized procedures and report the results. This means that while the label provides guidance, it does not replace independent third-party testing.