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Long-lasting phones (pictures)

CNET shows you our recently reviewed cell phones that deliver the best in talk time battery life.

Kent German
Kent was a senior managing editor at CNET News. A veteran of CNET since 2003, he reviewed the first iPhone and worked in both the London and San Francisco offices. When not working, he's planning his next vacation, walking his dog or watching planes land at the airport (yes, really).
Kent German
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1 of 20 Sarah Tew/CNET

Motorola Droid Razr Maxx (Verizon Wireless)

A phone may be able to do everything, but if it can't make a decent call or its battery life is poor, then it's worth not much. Unfortunately, as smartphones have become more powerful, batteries have struggled to keep up with the demand of large displays and powerful processors. Of course there are exceptions like Motorola's Droid Razr Maxx, but now we commonly measure battery life in hours instead of days. Of the latest handsets that CNET has reviewed, here are the 20 models with the longest battery life as measured by our talk time battery drain tests. For more results, see our full cell phone battery life charts.

CNET Review bottom line: The Motorola Droid Razr Maxx proves that a powerful Android superphone can remain thin yet still promise marathon-worthy battery life.

Talk time: 19.78 hours
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2 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET

LG Optimus Vu (unlocked)

CNET Review bottom line: Though the Optimus Vu fits into the novel "phablet" category, forking over $900 for any Gingerbread phone isn't worth it, no matter what the screen size.

Talk time: 16.08 hours

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3 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET

Apple iPhone 4 (with 3G off)

CNET Review bottom line: With the iPhone 4, Apple again shows that it is a powerful player in the smartphone wars. It won't be for everyone, the call quality and reception vary if you don't use a case, and AT&T's network remains a sticking point, but the handset's striking design, loaded feature set, and generally agreeable performance make it the best iPhone yet.

Talk time: 14.55 hours

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4 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET

RIM BlackBerry Curve 9360 (T-Mobile)

CNET Review bottom line: The RIM BlackBerry Curve 9360 makes a great entry-level offering for those already in the BlackBerry camp.

Talk time: 12 hours

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5 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET

Kyocera DuraPlus (Sprint)

CNET Review bottom line: If looks aren't important, and you want a basic rugged phone that can make good calls and withstand being kicked around and dropped underwater, consider the DuraPlus. But be aware: its clunkiness will give your hand a workout.

Talk time: 11.47 hours

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6 of 20 James Martin/CNET

Samsung Captivate Glide (AT&T)

CNET Review bottom line: The Samsung Captivate Glide is one of AT&T's most powerful QWERTY smartphones, and at $150, it won't cost you an arm and a leg. However, the ultraflat keyboard may be more hindrance than help to all but the most dedicated keyboard enthusiasts.

Talk time: 10.3 hours

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7 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET

ZTE Fury (Sprint)

CNET Review bottom line: The ZTE Fury is a great entry-level 3G phone. It comes with all the bare-bones smartphone specs you expect, and it performs well. And at just 20 bucks, you can't go wrong.

Talk time: 19.02 hours

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8 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET

Samsung Galaxy S II (U.S. Cellular)

CNET Review bottom line: With venerable specs, including a terrific camera and large, beautiful screen, the Samsung Galaxy S II is holding true to its claim to fame as the everyman's high-end Android phone.

Talk time: 9.47 hours

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9 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET

LG Optimus 3D Max (unlocked)

CNET Review bottom line: On its own, the 3D Max is a solid dual-core phone with some neat NFC-enabled features. But the hiccuping 3D feature, although cool, is a drag.

Talk time: 9.35 hours

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10 of 20 James Martin/CNET

Huawei Mercury (Cricket Wireless)

CNET Review bottom line: With its dual cameras, strong processor, and attention to camera detail, the Huawei Mercury tops Cricket's charts for a non-Muve Music smartphone, but insatiable Web surfers may still want to shop around.

Talk time: 9.32 hours

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11 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET

Apple iPhone 4S (Sprint)

CNET Review bottom line: The iPhone 4S isn't the king of cell phones, but it's part of the royal family nonetheless. Even without 4G and a giant screen, this phone's smart(ass) voice assistant, Siri, the benefits of iOS 5, and its spectacular camera make it a top choice for anyone ready to upgrade.

Talk time: 9.2 hours

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12 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET

Kyocera Milano (Sprint)

CNET Review bottom line: The Kyocera Milano is certainly an affordable entry-level Android phone, but Sprint customers have better options available to them.

Talk time: 9.2 hours

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13 of 20 James Martin/CNET

Samsung Focus S (AT&T)

CNET Review bottom line: Bolstered by a brilliant display and strong hardware specs, the Samsung Focus S is arguably the best Windows Phone ever released.

Talk time: 9.01 hours

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14 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET

Kyocera DuraCore (Sprint)

CNET Review bottom line: Up to military specifications, the durable Kyocera DuraCore runs on Sprint's fast Direct Connect push-to-talk network, but those who prefer a camera and a phone they can dunk in water will want the DuraMax.

Talk time: 8.95 hours

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15 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET

Samsung Rugby Smart (AT&T)

CNET Review bottom line: The Samsung Rugby Smart can take plenty of punches, without skimping on the smartphone features. Unlike other rugged phones, it's easy on the eyes and it can run on 4G.

Talk time: 8.8 hours

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16 of 20 James Martin/CNET

LG Lucid (Verizon Wireless)

CNET Review bottom line: Though it's stuck on Gingerbread, the Lucid's great camera, snappy performance, and cheap price tag make it a solid choice for a budget 4G Android phone.

Talk time: 8.47 hours

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17 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET

T-Mobile Prism (T-Mobile)

CNET Review bottom line: If you're looking for your first 3G smartphone, the T-Mobile Prism will deliver basic calling, texting, and Web-browsing requirements all for $20. Just don't expect blazing speeds or great photos.

Talk time: 8.32 hours

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18 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET

RIM BlackBerry Torch 9810 (AT&T)

CNET Review bottom line: The BlackBerry Torch 9810 won't wow newcomers with its tired old design, but its affordable price and much-improved specs should keep BlackBerry enthusiasts satisfied.

Talk time: 8.1 hours

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19 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET

Pantech Swift (AT&T)

CNET Review bottom line: The Pantech Swift is the most appealing Pantech handset on AT&T with a keyboard, but sufficient flaws keep us hesitant about recommending it widely.

Talk time: 19.78 hours

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20 of 20

Huawei Ascend II (U.S. Cellular)

CNET Review bottom line: The Huawei Ascend II comes at an unbeatable price for an Android smartphone, but the trade-off is getting lower-end features that sometimes underperform.

Talk time: 7.25 hours

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