Apple’s iOS 26 brings a wave of innovation to iPhones, but the headline feature for many users is the new Adaptive Power Mode—an AI-driven system designed to intelligently extend battery life. However, not all iPhone owners will get to experience this feature: Adaptive Power Mode is exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 series, and newer devices, leaving out millions of users with older models.
Adaptive Power Mode is Apple’s latest answer to the perennial challenge of smartphone battery life. Unlike the blunt-force approach of Low Power Mode which disables background activities and dims the display when your battery drops below 20% Adaptive Power Mode uses on-device AI to make subtle, real-time adjustments based on your usage patterns.
While iOS 26 itself is compatible with a wide range of iPhones—from the iPhone 11 series and up—the Adaptive Power Mode is limited to devices with Apple Intelligence, Apple’s new on-device AI suite.
Older models, including the iPhone 14 Pro and below, will not see Adaptive Power Mode in their settings—even if they install iOS 26. The limitation is due to the advanced AI processing required, which is only supported on the latest hardware.
Adaptive Power Mode is opt-in and turned off by default. Users can activate it by navigating to Settings > Battery > Power Mode and toggling the feature on. Once enabled, the system quietly monitors your battery usage and steps in only when it detects higher-than-usual drain, making minor tweaks to extend your phone’s uptime.
Unlike Low Power Mode, which is triggered automatically at 20% battery, Adaptive Power Mode works in the background, adapting to your unique habits and needs.
Battery life remains a top concern for smartphone users, with many citing it as a primary reason for upgrading their devices. Apple’s new approach leverages AI to deliver a more personalized, context-aware battery experience—something that could be especially valuable for upcoming models like the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, which may have smaller batteries but smarter power management.
iOS 26’s Adaptive Power Mode represents a leap forward in intelligent battery management, but only for those with the latest iPhones. While the broader iOS 26 update brings a host of AI-powered features and design changes to many devices, Adaptive Power Mode underscores Apple’s push to make its newest hardware the gateway to its most advanced software experiences.