One of the most exciting new features in the iOS 26 developer beta is the innovative adaptive power mode, designed to significantly extend the battery life of the best iPhones. However, this feature is exclusive to the latest models, requiring an iPhone 15 Pro or newer to take advantage of its capabilities. In the iOS 26 developer beta, Apple explains that adaptive power mode allows the iPhone to make “small performance adjustments to extend your battery life.” These adjustments include reducing screen brightness and allowing certain activities to take longer, ensuring your device remains powered for more extended periods between charges.
When enabled, adaptive power mode intelligently manages energy consumption, automatically reducing power usage to prolong battery life. This mode differs from the traditional low power mode, which limits background activities and activates once the battery level drops to 20%. According to a recent report from MacRumors, adaptive power mode is exclusively available on the latest iPhone models, including the iPhone 15 Pro series and the iPhone 16 lineup. While iOS 26 is compatible with older models dating back to the iPhone 11, adaptive power mode leverages advanced artificial intelligence, limiting its use to devices capable of supporting this technology.
Here’s a complete list of iPhone models that support the new adaptive power mode in iOS 26:
iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 16e iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro MaxIn the iOS 26 developer beta, adaptive power mode is enabled by default. Users can also manually activate it by navigating to the Settings menu, then selecting Battery > Power Mode. This location also houses the traditional low power mode, making it easy for users to switch between the two features as needed.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported last month that Apple is actively working on an AI-powered battery optimization feature. This feature will utilize the battery data collected from users' devices to identify which applications can reduce power consumption. Such advancements bring hope for improving battery life, particularly for the highly anticipated iPhone 17 Air, rumored to feature a slim design with a modest 2,800 mAh battery—1,100 mAh less than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.
With the introduction of adaptive power mode and speculation about a new silicon carbon battery that could enhance battery density by up to 15%, Apple aims to deliver impressive battery performance in the iPhone 17 Air despite its reduced size. This new mode could be a game-changer, ensuring users enjoy longer usage times without frequent recharges.
Notably, many of the best Android phones, such as those from Google, already incorporate a similar adaptive power feature. This technology uses AI to predict app usage, limiting background activity for less frequently used applications, which helps conserve battery life. Over time, this adaptive battery feature learns which apps are the most power-hungry and restricts their functions, ultimately reducing battery drain during idle periods.
As of now, iOS 26 remains in beta, with Apple planning to roll out the full update in the fall. Alongside adaptive power mode, this update is expected to introduce exciting enhancements to the Camera and Photos apps, as well as new features powered by Apple Intelligence, including live translation for text messages and calls. Stay tuned for more updates as Apple continues to innovate and improve the iPhone experience.
