Reviews are meant to take a look at the individual pieces of any device and decide if they come together to create a worthwhile device. The camera is investigated and tested, just like the display, the processor and RAM through a variety of tests, and especially the battery life. It comes down to the individual to figure out what they can live with, whether it's a shortcoming in one of those areas compared to other devices, or something else entirely. For some people the camera in their daily driver is the only thing that really matters, while others don't really care about that at all.
Which is why it can be so important for some to read reviews before a device launches. Especially as smartphone prices continue to climb. Reading up and trying to determine a consensus can help reduce the prospect of buyer's remorse, which, when it crops up, is always a pain.
And while all of that is true, I think it's also safe to say that the battery life of our phones is probably pretty high on most people's lists. Just how long will the battery last on a daily basis? Will you be able to get through a day without having to worry about not having access to your phone because of a dead battery? The reality is this comes down to the individual, too. Because someone's "heavy usage" isn't the same as another's, so even if a review says a battery life is bad or good, it could be a different situation for you.
Still, one of the benefits of having these big phones is that batteries are starting to get a bit bigger, too. Some companies, like Samsung, are embracing big batteries like in the Galaxy Note 9 (which has a 4000mAh battery inside). Meanwhile, companies like Apple aren't going out of their way to use huge batteries in their devices, even the big ones like the iPhone XS Max (equipped with a 3174mAh battery).
I've been using the iPhone XS Max since launch now, and I can safely say that despite not having the biggest battery out there, I'm actually happy with the battery life I'm seeing on a daily basis. I'm not just dealing with it, either. It's actually good, and it's been able to get me through a day, easy, even with some of my heavy usage. The days I hardly use my phone (which still means checking social media, watching some videos, texting, and maybe even a game or two), the battery has lasted a day and a half before I even need to start thinking about charging it.
I've heard similar testaments from owners of the Galaxy Note 9 as well. The people I've spoken to are incredibly happy with their device's longevity, especially since they don't have to rely on an external battery pack or anything like that. It just keeps kicking, which is nice.
It dawned on me that the reason I'm so happy with the iPhone XS Max's battery life is because I don't feel like I've had to adjust anything to make sure I keep it running. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. In older handsets you may have had to turn some features off, or limit the time you spend in some apps and especially games. You've adapted to what you know you can essentially get away with, and you're always aware of that battery remaining percentage in the back of your head in relation to when you'll be able to charge it up again.
I don't have that experience anymore and it's pretty great. I approve, even. So I wanted to reach out and find out how you are feeling about your daily driver's battery life these days. When is the last time you decided you needed to upgrade to a new phone because your old handset's battery life was just so bad? Are you happy with your current phone's longevity on a daily basis? Let me know!