iPhone battery in focus: 5G vs. Wi-Fi in a direct test

When it comes to battery life, you inevitably end up with the same question on the iPhone: How much more power does 5G consume compared to Wi-Fi in real-world use? It's generally accepted that Wi-Fi is more efficient. The interesting part is moving beyond gut feeling and looking at measurable differences in typical usage.

That's exactly what PhoneBuff tested in a recent battery life review. The goal was a comparison that closely reflects everyday use: one iPhone used 5G continuously, a second iPhone used Wi-Fi continuously. Same tasks, same test logic, and ultimately a direct look at how big the difference really is.

Test setup: iPhone usage as in everyday life

The test was conducted using an iPhone 17 Pro Max. The benchmark simulated typical smartphone usage, including:

Send a text message
Surf the internet
Stream videos
Use Instagram
Use FaceTime

The entire test was conducted once over 5G and once over Wi-Fi. Both devices were in a fixed location. Movement played no role.

Results: 5G vs. WLAN in numbers

In the actual test, the iPhone with 5G achieved the following results:

10 hours and 22 minutes of screen time
plus 16 hours standby time

When the iPhone ran out of battery on 5G, it still had 25 % of battery remaining when using Wi-Fi. This results in a difference of approximately three hours of additional usage time in favor of Wi-Fi. The final results are therefore closer than many would expect.

Why the distance appears smaller than expected

These values are not a law of nature. Results vary depending on location, conditions, and current activities on the iPhone.

Nevertheless, it's noticeable that the 25 % difference seems rather moderate in the context of a 5G vs. Wi-Fi comparison. This can be interpreted primarily as an indication of the energy efficiency of modern iPhones, even when they are "only" connected to the cellular network.

What the test does not show: Weak signal and movement

The test was conducted under conditions that did not place maximum stress on 5G. Two points are crucial here:

Weaker signal strength: In an area with poorer reception, the difference would likely have been more pronounced because the iPhone has to expend more energy to maintain a stable connection.
Movement and cell handover: Switching between cell towers while on the move consumes a particularly large amount of energy. This effect was not tested here because both iPhones remained stationary in one location.

Hardware context: Qualcomm Pro series modems

Despite its limitations, the comparison provides a useful benchmark for Apple's flagship Pro iPhone series. This series is equipped with the latest generation of Qualcomm modems, which is considered a relevant factor for efficiency and wireless performance.

It would be interesting to conduct the same test with Apple's own modems

It would be interesting to repeat the same battery life test with other models, especially with:

iPhone Air
iPhone 16e

These will be equipped with Apple's custom modem chips C1X and C1. Apple highlights energy efficiency as one of the most important advantages of its own modem designs.

Furthermore, the next step is already on the horizon. The upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to be equipped with the second-generation Apple C2 modem.

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5G vs. Wi-Fi: The battery difference in everyday iPhone use

While 5G is measurably more power-hungry than Wi-Fi on the iPhone, the difference wasn't dramatic under the tested conditions. In the benchmark, the two connection types ultimately differed by about 25 lbs of battery (%) or roughly three hours of usage time. At the same time, it's clear that weak reception and movement can significantly increase 5G power consumption more than a stationary comparison would suggest. The best products for you: Our Amazon storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: Shutterstock / KaterynaSypailova)