- By Prateek Levi
- Sat, 25 Oct 2025 03:18 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Battery life has always been one of the biggest frustrations for iPhone users. Whether you’re using the compact iPhone Air, the powerhouse iPhone 17 Pro Max, or anything in between, the one thing everyone wants is a battery that can keep up. With the release of iOS 26, Apple is introducing a fresh solution—Adaptive Power, a feature designed to make your phone last longer during the day without noticeably affecting performance.
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A Smarter Approach to Saving Power
Whereas you're probably used to the aggressive Low Power Mode, which drastically curtails background tasks and trims down on system performance, Adaptive Power operates more intelligently and responsively. It doesn't merely throttle the device but instead adapts to your behaviours and modifies system performance in real time. You can access it at Settings → Battery → Power Mode, where it's joined by other power-saving features.
How It Works Behind the Scenes
Apple explains that Adaptive Power activates when your iPhone detects unusually high power consumption. If you’re running heavy apps, gaming, or streaming for long periods, the feature automatically tweaks system parameters. This might include slightly reducing screen brightness, delaying background updates, or optimizing processor activity—all subtle changes that help extend battery life without disrupting your experience.
Designed for Everyday Use
What distinguishes Adaptive Power is that you'll hardly ever know it's working. The feature exists in the background, only intervening when called on to. On less demanding days, it remains dormant. But if your phone is burning through battery more quickly than normal—during a commute, for example, or a hectic workday—it works behind the scenes to maximise power consumption to eke out those precious few extra hours you always wish you had.
Available only on Newer iPhones
There's a catch: Adaptive Power only comes on Apple Intelligence-capable devices. That's to say it's exclusive to newer devices such as the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, iPhone Air, and the iPhone 17 lineup.
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Nevertheless, for users with devices that are compatible, Adaptive Power may turn out to be one of the most helpful additions in iOS 26—a subtle but valuable tweak that continues Apple's drive to optimize the iPhone experience to be brighter, smarter, and better for long, high-energy days.