iOS 26 introduces Adaptive Power Mode to extend iPhone battery life

Apple has stepped up the battery optimization game by introducing a new “Adaptive Power” mode in iOS 26, which is currently available in the developer beta. The feature is designed to help your iPhone’s battery last longer by making subtle performance adjustments during use.

As detailed in the beta, Adaptive Power works by dimming the screen’s brightness and letting certain tasks take a little longer — small but meaningful changes that help save energy. Apple says that when your device drops below 20 percent battery, the system can automatically activate Low Power Mode, limiting background processes to conserve power.

This new feature has been a topic of discussion, especially after Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman revealed last month that Apple is exploring an AI-based battery optimization tool. According to Gurman, this technology is expected to use “battery data collected from users’ devices” to determine which apps can consume less power without impacting the user experience.

This approach resembles Google’s Adaptive Battery for Android, which leverages AI to reduce background activity for less frequently used apps.

Users testing the iOS 26 developer beta can find the Adaptive Power toggle in the Battery > Power Mode section of the Settings menu, where it lives alongside the existing Low Power Mode.

Apple plans to open up the beta to more users next month, with a full public release slated for this fall. iOS 26 also introduces a new “liquid glass” design and includes new updates to the Camera, Phone, Safari, and Messages apps. Notably, it includes Apple Intelligence-powered live translation for text messages and phone calls — setting the stage for a smarter, more energy-efficient iPhone experience.