iOS 26 introduces a new Adaptive Power Mode designed to extend iPhone battery life through subtle performance adjustments. This mode reduces display brightness slightly and allows some tasks to take longer during periods of high battery usage.
Unlike the existing Low Power Mode, Adaptive Power Mode is AI-powered and requires hardware that supports Apple Intelligence. Consequently, it is only available on the iPhone 15 Pro series and newer models, including:
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
Models such as the iPhone 14 Pro and earlier are not supported. The feature is off by default but can be enabled via Settings > Battery > Power Mode.
Adaptive Power Mode may benefit future devices like the rumored ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to have limited battery capacity. Apple is also reportedly developing a battery case for the iPhone 17 Air.
Currently, iOS 26 is in beta, with a public release anticipated in September. The update supports iPhone 11 and newer models overall, although the new power-saving feature remains exclusive to the latest Pro models.