The guys over at iLounge have just run the newly-released iPod classic and iPod nano through an initial run of battery tests and discovered that the units deliver a battery life that exceeds Apple's claims (not surprising, since Apple's guesses tend to be a bit conservative).

Where Apple promised that the new iPod nano, regardless of storage capacity, would deliver 24 hours of continuous audio playback and five hours of video playback before the battery ran down, the tests showed the new nano running for 30 hours and 21 minutes on audio playback before shutting down. Video tests with 640 x 480 video files showed the nano as running for five hours and 47 minutes, beating Apple's estimates.

The iPod classic fared even better. Where Apple boasted 30 hours of audio playback and five hours of video playback, tests showed it providing 36 hours and 16 minutes of audio playback and six hours and 46 minutes of video playback. Apple has suggested that the 160 gigabyte iPod classic will do better, offering 40 hours of audio playback and seven hours of video playback. In the tests, the unit offered more than 56 hours of audio playback and nine hours and 28 minutes of video playback.

Additional figures will be available later, but this looks like the new iPod line is off to a good start.

If you've picked up a new iPod nano or iPod classic and seen anything similar or falling short of these numbers, let us know in the comments or forums.