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With iOS 26, Apple is introducing several improvements related to battery usage. The most noticeable new feature: Your iPhone now shows you how long it will take to fully charge the battery. Apple is also introducing "Adaptive Power," an additional power-saving mode designed to automatically make your device more efficient. Both features can be found in the Settings app under the "Battery" section.
Many users have been asking for more transparency when charging their iPhones for years. It's often unclear how fast a charger actually charges or how long it will take until the battery is fully charged. Apple is responding to this with iOS 26. The new charging time indicator is designed to help you better estimate your charging behavior. At the same time, Apple is taking a step further toward automated power saving with Adaptive Power. The features are already available to developers and will be rolled out to all users this fall.
Loading time estimation: How the new display works in iOS 26
When you connect your iPhone with a cable or wirelessly via a Qi charger, iOS 26 shows you an estimate of how long the remaining charging time will take. You can find this indicator in the "Battery" section of the settings. The charging time is calculated dynamically and adapts to the connected charger. If you are using a particularly slow charger, for example a 5-watt Qi charger, iOS 26 will notify you that the connection is slow. This way you can immediately see whether your charging accessory is working efficiently or not. Apple has not yet integrated a widget for this new feature. This means you have to check the time in the settings. Whether a widget will be added in a later update is unclear. A similar feature used to be available on the Mac, but was removed some time ago. Now the charging time estimate is returning, at least on the iPhone.
Adaptive Power: Automatically save power with iOS 26
In addition to the charging time estimate, iOS 26 introduces a second new feature that impacts the battery: Adaptive Power. This feature complements the classic Low Power Mode and is also found in the Battery settings. Adaptive Power is designed to help improve battery life by automatically making small adjustments to system performance. These include:
- reduced display brightness
- an extension of processes running in the background
- Automatically activate power saving mode at 20 percent battery, depending on how you are currently using your iPhone
Unlike the classic battery saving mode, you can leave Adaptive Power on permanently. The feature stays active and manages power consumption in the background without you having to intervene each time. According to insiders, the feature is primarily intended for the new iPhone 17 Air to extend its battery life.
iOS 26 brings clarity and efficiency to charging
iOS 26 brings two practical battery features: a charging time estimate that shows you how long your iPhone will have left to charge, and the new power-saving option Adaptive Power. Both features are located directly in Settings and are designed to give you more control and efficiency in your everyday life. Whether you're on the go a lot or just want to know if your charger is fast enough, iOS 26 provides you with the right information. The update will be released to all users this fall. The best products for you: Our Amazon Storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: Shutterstock / Primakov)
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