Apple iPhone gets longer battery life at the expense of performance via new feature in iOS 26

Apple announced iOS 26 on Monday, the next major operating system version for the iPhone, which will be released in the fall for all models from the iPhone 11 to the iPhone 16. In addition to extensive design adjustments, new AI features, a redesigned camera app and a brand-new gaming app, the update also introduces the "Adaptive Power" feature. This can be enabled in addition to the already available "Low Power Mode" in the system settings.

While Low Power Mode primarily reduces background activities, such as regularly loading new emails, Adaptive Power throttles the iPhone's processor and reduces screen brightness. In doing so, this mode specifically targets the two components that consume the most power. A warning text in the system settings indicates that some activities may take longer when Adaptive Power is active. When the remaining battery charge drops to 20%, iOS 26 also activates Low Power Mode.

This feature is likely to be intended for the iPhone 17 Air in particular, which is expected to combine a 6.6-inch display with a tiny 3,000 mAh battery, meaning users will likely have to rely on features such as Adaptive Power to ensure full-day battery life. Rumors have also suggested that iOS 26 will use AI to analyze user behavior and intelligently reduce power consumption, but there is no sign of such a feature thus far, at least not in the first beta version of iOS 26.