iOS 26’s Smart Battery Mode Only for New iPhones
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iOS 26’s Smart Battery Mode Only for New iPhones
Apple has introduced iOS 26, its latest software update. Among the notable additions is an “adaptive power mode” The feature is designed to optimize battery life by adjusting various system parameters based on user behavior and activity. Only models supporting Apple Intelligence will benefit from this feature, leaving out many older but update-capable devices. The soon-to-launch iPhone 17 Air, Apple’s expected ultra-thin smartphone, is also likely to leverage this feature.
Unlike the conventional “low power mode,” which broadly reduces background tasks, the new adaptive power setting fine-tunes performance in real-time. When users are engaged in energy-intensive tasks, the feature can slightly lower display brightness or defer non-essential processes to extend battery duration. This capability, according to Apple, helps conserve energy without significantly impacting daily usage.
However, adaptive power mode will not be available across all iPhones compatible with iOS 26. Only models supporting Apple Intelligence will benefit from this feature, leaving out many older but update-capable devices.
The adaptive mode utilizes machine learning to monitor usage trends. If the system detects abnormal battery consumption, it automatically initiates micro-adjustments—like dimming the screen or extending processing time for secondary tasks. This smart regulation is designed to balance performance with energy efficiency.
Unlike traditional modes, users must manually enable adaptive power mode from the Settings menu. It remains off by default.
Eligible iPhones for Adaptive Power Mode:
* iPhone 15 Pro
* iPhone 15 Pro Max
* iPhone 16
* iPhone 16 Plus
* iPhone 16 Pro
* iPhone 16 Pro Max
* iPhone 16e
The soon-to-launch iPhone 17 Air, Apple’s expected ultra-thin smartphone, is also likely to leverage this battery-saving feature. Due to the device’s compact form factor, the battery is reportedly smaller, making adaptive power mode crucial for enhanced power management.
Currently, iOS 26 is undergoing beta testing, and a public release is expected in September, coinciding with the iPhone 17 series launch.
iOS 26 has a huge battery life upgrade — here’s the iPhones that get it
Apple’s new “adaptive power” mode is aimed at extending the battery life of the best iPhones. Unfortunately, it looks like you’ll need an iPhone 15 Pro model or newer to enjoy the benefits. The feature is enabled by default in the iOS 26 developer beta, but you can also find it alongside Low Power Mode in the Battery > Power Mode section of the Settings menu.iOS 26 remains in beta for now as Apple plans to roll out the full update sometime in the fall. It’s rumored to add exciting new updates to the Camera and Photos apps as well as Apple Intelligence-powered live translation for text messages and calls. The iPhone 17 Air could come with a measly 2,800 mAh — 1,100 mAh less than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.
In the iOS 26 developer beta, Apple describes adaptive power mode as a way for your iPhone to make “small performance adjustments to extend your battery life,” such as by lowering screen brightness and “allowing some activities to take a little longer.” When the setting’s enabled, your phone will automatically trim its energy use to keep it going longer between charges.
Adaptive power mode is different from the iPhone’s existing low power mode, which restricts background activities and automatically kicks in when your battery reaches 20 percent.
As confirmed in a weekend MacRumors report, the feature is only available on the iPhone 15 Pro phones and iPhone 16 series. While iOS 26 is compatible with phones as old as the iPhone 11, adaptive power mode is powered by artificial intelligence, so it’s only enabled on phones capable of running Apple Intelligence.
Below you can find a full list of iPhone models capable of running the new adaptive power mode in iOS 26:
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 16e
iPhone 16
iPhone 16 Plus
iPhone 16 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Adaptive Power is enabled by default in the iOS 26 developer beta, but you can also find it alongside Low Power Mode in the Battery > Power Mode section of the Settings menu.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman first reported that Apple was working on an AI-powered battery optimization feature last month. At the time, Gurman said the feature will use the “battery data it has collected from users’ devices” to figure out which apps to trim power consumption from.
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There’s hope for the iPhone 17 Air’s battery life yet
(Image credit: Future)
Adaptive power mode could prove especially useful for the iPhone 17 Air, Apple’s rumored ultra-thin handset. Leaks suggest it could come with a measly 2,800 mAh — 1,100 mAh less than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. Between this new setting and rumors that Apple will employ a new silicon carbon battery to boost battery density by as much as 15%, Apple may be able to squeeze out an impressively long battery life in the iPhone 17 Air’s slim chassis.
On the best Android phones, Google has a similar adaptive power feature that employs AI to predict your app usage and restricts the ones you don’t visit as often from running in the background, thus using up precious battery life in the process. Over time, Adaptive Battery learns which apps are the worst drains on your phone’s battery and limits some of their functions. That way, your phone’s battery doesn’t drain as much when it’s left idle.
iOS 26 remains in beta for now as Apple plans to roll out the full update sometime in the fall. It’s rumored to add exciting new updates to the Camera and Photos apps as well as Apple Intelligence-powered live translation for text messages and calls.
Source: https://www.bizzbuzz.news/technology/gadjets/ios-26s-smart-battery-mode-only-for-new-iphones-1365532