Apple’s iOS 26 update introduces a new feature designed to enhance battery life: the ‘Adaptive Power’ mode. This addition complements the already existing ‘Low Power Mode,’ offering an even smarter way to optimize energy usage. 
While the spotlight was on iOS 26’s new Liquid Glass UI design, Apple’s underlying goal seems to be improving battery performance for compatible devices.
With the ‘Adaptive Power’ mode, iPhones will adjust their settings to maximize battery life by limiting certain features. One notable change includes reducing screen brightness, which could help save power but might also lead to a slower performance in some cases. According to The Verge, some activities may take longer to process, suggesting that enabling the mode comes with a performance trade-off.
Unlike ‘Low Power Mode,’ which kicks in automatically when the battery drops below 20%, ‘Adaptive Power’ will intelligently activate based on usage patterns. For those who want to try out the feature in the iOS 26 beta 1, the option is available under the Battery section in the Settings menu, where users can tap ‘Power Mode’ to toggle it on.
With the upcoming iPhone 17 Air featuring a potentially smaller 2,800mAh battery, it’s possible that Apple introduced this feature in anticipation of devices that will need to rely on it more frequently. As the company continues to focus on battery improvements, ‘Adaptive Power’ could become a crucial tool for users to get the most out of their devices.