Apple has introduced a new feature in iOS 26 that aims to enhance battery life for iPhone users. This feature, known as the Adaptive Power toggle, can be accessed on compatible iPhone models by navigating to Settings, then Battery, and selecting Power Mode. When activated, Adaptive Power makes minor performance adjustments to save battery, such as slightly lowering display brightness and slowing down certain activities. Additionally, Low Power Mode is automatically activated when the battery level drops to 20%.
This mode reduces background activities, like downloads and email fetching, until the battery reaches a full charge. It was previously speculated that Apple was working on an AI-driven battery optimization tool, and with Adaptive Power enabled, iPhone users should benefit from longer battery longevity. For those eager to try this feature, it’s currently available only in the iOS 26 Developer Beta; the stable version is set for release in September. Another significant enhancement in iOS 26 is the ability to see the estimated charging time required to reach 80% and 100% battery levels.
This feature works for both wired and wireless charging and could notably improve user awareness about their device’s charging status. For instance, if my iPhone 15 Pro Max currently has 32% battery left, it will indicate that it will take approximately 38 minutes to reach 80% and nearly 2 hours to achieve a full charge. Furthermore, the iPhone can track and compare the battery usage against similar times on previous days, providing insights under the Daily Usage heading. This feature brings conveniences that other devices, like Google’s Pixel handsets, have offered for years, allowing users to enjoy extended unplugged time with the new Adaptive Power.