Apple iOS 26's Adaptive Power update is the real star of iPhone's rebranded software

The iOS 26 updates showcased during its WWDC 2025 keynote had eye-catching software changes, like its Liquid Glass design language and several AI-powered updates.

However, Apple didn't stop at the pretty bits and also introduced a new power management tool and revamped Battery settings. 

Adapative Power Mode

Joining the classic Low Power Mode in the updated Battery settings is the new Adaptive Power toggle. When enabled, the new power tool lets the iPhone make "small performance adjustments" to extend its battery life.

Apple said these adjustments include lowering the display brightness or letting some activities "take a little longer". Adaptive Power may also activate iOS 9's Low Power Mode when the iPhone battery reaches 20%. 

Battery Health metrics

The Battery settings page has also been revamped to provide deeper insights into your iPhone's juice use. The top section provides an overview of your battery level, the time it was last charged, and the estimated time required for a full charge if the iPhone is plugged into a power source. 

Replacing the 24-hour and 10-day charts is a weekly view of average battery consumption. It also has a comparison between your current usage patterns and your typical average usage patterns from before.

The app battery usage section offers in-depth details on your usage habits, such as the duration of an app running in the background, the number of notifications it sent, and both active and idle screen use. 

iOS 26 is slated to launch in September. In the meantime, you can read our round-up of the announcements at WWDC 2025.

Source: MacRumors

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