Enhanced Power Management in iOS 26 may prolong iPhone battery life; however, not all device models are compatible.
In a recent development, Apple has introduced a new power-saving feature called Adaptive Power, as part of iOS 26. This feature is designed to extend the battery life of compatible iPhones, especially the latest models like the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone Air.
Adaptive Power is available on any iPhone capable of running Apple Intelligence. For instance, iPhone 11 and later, including the iPhone 15, 16, and 17 models, are compatible with Adaptive Power. However, it's important to note that this feature is only active on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone Air, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16e, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. On other models, users must opt-in to use it.
The iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air, boast improved battery life as a feature, with the iPhone Air promising "all-day" battery life despite having a physically smaller battery.
To enable Adaptive Power, navigate to Settings > Battery > Power Mode in iOS 26. It's also worth noting that after installing a major software update, it's common to experience temporary worse battery life as the system optimizes data in the background. Apple has reminded customers that this temporary side effect is normal when updating to a new software version.
Adaptive Power works by making performance adjustments in power-hungry situations such as recording videos, editing photos, or playing games. It's not always active, even if left on, and its optimizations may only occur in situations where battery usage is higher than usual.
The feature can be compared to Gaming Mode, which prioritizes processing and graphics power to the frontmost app at the expense of battery life. However, Adaptive Power is more sophisticated, as it adjusts power usage dynamically to save battery life without significantly impacting performance.
Moreover, Adaptive Power can be a game-changer for those who upgrade their iPhones primarily because of battery life. According to a survey, 61% of people do so, and a feature like Adaptive Power could extend the longevity of iPhones by updating to iOS 26.
For more information about Adaptive Power, you can read the article titled "Adaptive Power in iOS 26 Could Save the iPhone 17 Air From This Major Pitfall." It's clear that Adaptive Power is a significant step forward in battery management for iPhones, offering users a more efficient and longer-lasting battery life.
In addition to Adaptive Power, the Low Power Mode is still available, which reduces background activity, such as fetching mail and downloading data, to further extend battery life. It kicks in automatically when the battery level reaches 20%. By adjusting screen brightness, turning off the always-on display, and activating Low Power Mode, users can also extend their battery life.
Read also:
- Show a modicum of decency, truly
- Emergency services of the future revealed by Renault with the introduction of the Vision 4Rescue vehicle.
- Distinct qualities of automobile lease novations versus traditional loans
- AI-Powered X-Nave Platform and Fresh Gaming Content to be Demonstrated by EGT Digital at SBC Summit Lisbon Event
