There is one aspect of modern smartphone design where Apple, Samsung, and even Google have fallen significantly behind. It is so crucial that it has become difficult to recommend buying the next generation of flagship iPhones or Galaxy phones without hesitation.

This refers to battery capacity. Many Apple and Samsung users see this as a non-issue because the phones still provide 'acceptable' screen-on time. However, given the extremely high prices charged by both companies, 'acceptable' is no longer enough.

This acceptance becomes even less justified when compared to what Chinese phone makers currently offer, according to an article by Phone Arena, a specialized smartphone news site, as reviewed by Al Arabiya Business.

Samsung Continues to Handle Batteries with Extreme Caution

The more complex a battery becomes, the higher the chances of a catastrophic failure. Samsung is well aware of this, and the Galaxy Note 7 crisis undoubtedly still casts a shadow over the company.

What was once a design flaw has made the company hesitant to innovate in battery technology for its flagship phones. It has reached a point where Apple has caught up and even surpassed it, despite being previously criticized for lagging behind Samsung in hardware.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra continued a seven-year tradition by using the same 5,000 mAh battery, a capacity that many have urged Samsung to abandon.

This capacity might have deserved the 'Ultra' label years ago, but today it no longer impresses even on paper, yet Samsung still clings to it.

Apple Advances... But Very Slowly

In contrast, the iPhone 17 Pro Max last year surpassed the 5,000 mAh mark. iPhone battery capacities are gradually increasing over time. If Samsung's progress in this area were not so slow, Apple would not have been able to catch up, let alone surpass the flagship Galaxy phones.

This trend is expected to continue this year, with the iPhone 18 Pro Max getting a battery capacity of around 5,500 mAh, a significant difference compared to the Galaxy S26 Ultra. While conflicting reports have started to emerge about the Galaxy S27 Ultra, there are no confirmed indicators yet.

If Samsung finally decides to abandon the 5,000 mAh battery, it may be a result of Apple's actions.

Recommending iPhones and Galaxies Has Become Difficult

Here lies the core of the problem. At one time, flagship iPhones and Galaxies were the most obvious choice for those seeking reliable software and top-tier hardware.

True, they were not the best in every specification, but they always delivered excellent performance in important areas. However, this no longer applies today.

Battery capacities, screen-on time, performance, RAM, storage options, display technologies, charging speeds, and other specifications are areas where Chinese phones now excel.

The only logical reason left to recommend Samsung or Apple phones is the software, and even that area has been showing clear issues recently.

Chinese phones now offer batteries exceeding 10,000 mAh, while 8,000 mAh has become commonplace for many brands.

Silicon-carbon batteries represent a qualitative leap, yet Apple and Samsung still refuse to adopt them for an unclear reason.

In contrast, the two companies, which hold a huge global market share, continue to rely on old battery technologies. As a result, their phones don't last as long as their Chinese counterparts and take much longer to fully charge.

Even cameras, which are among the most important factors when buying a new phone, have seen Chinese phones offering better performance.

For users who rely heavily on their phones, the persistence of Apple and Samsung in sticking to old battery technologies, along with their continuous attempts to rely on software improvements to extend screen-on time, has become a source of great frustration.

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