Adaptability 1 for iOS 26 Developer Beta 1 running iPhone 16 Pro.
Kerry Wan/Zdnet
Apple’s WWDC opener occurred on Monday and since then my brain has been wrapped in certain functions. It was not announced in the opening keynote, nor was it created in a comprehensive graphic chart for iOS 26 features, but it’s a big deal if it works.
Also: Everything you might have missed at WWDC 2025: iOS 26, liquid glass, Macos Tahoe, etc.
The feature I’m referring to is called “Adaptive Power,” a battery storage tool burned into iOS 26’s power mode settings. To access within the Developer Beta Settings app, you will need to dig into several columns. When powered on, the iPhone automatically throttles certain background tasks and helps save battery every time it detects high-performance workloads.
In Apple’s words, “If your battery usage is higher than normal, your iPhone can extend the battery life, reduce the display brightness slightly, and extend the battery life, including taking a little longer.”
This power saving mode is not tested, but is a feature that many users would appreciate if it only works when it’s really pushing your iPhone, such as video recording, photo editing, gaming, etc.
Such features are especially important for small iPhone owners, such as the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. Both of these devices have fewer batteries than their Plus and professional siblings, and are reported to have an average battery life.
You can also download iOS 26 developer beta to your iPhone now. This is the way
Looking ahead, Adaptive Power Mode also helps the rumoured iPhone 17 Air, an ultra-thin, lightweight model that features a shorter battery life than the rest of the iPhone 17 lineup. I recently reviewed the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and although the burdenless form factor appealed to me, the endurance of the midling was a disappointment.
If Apple can solve that one issue with the iPhone 17 Air, it could potentially climb the ladder of consideration for me as they will try to upgrade their iPhone 15 Pro Max later this year. With the look of the iOS 26, Apple is already beginning to think about how to make the ultra-slim iPhone last longer than its nearest competitors.
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