Does iOS 26 cause iPhone battery drain?

iOS 26 has many attractive features, but iPhone users should patiently wait until the public beta is released to avoid bugs and ensure a more stable experience.

Since the release of iOS 26, many users have quickly tested it and reported that iPhone battery life has been significantly affected. This is not entirely surprising, as beta versions – especially developer betas – are often not fully optimized, resulting in inconsistent battery performance.

One user specifically tested this using an iPhone 15 Pro – a model they've had since September 2023. According to the data in Settings, the device was manufactured in July 2023, with a current battery health of 89%, which is still within Apple's "normal" range. Before updating to iOS 26 beta, this iPhone provided relatively stable battery life throughout the day.

Users reported that they start using their phones at 7 AM each morning, and typically by around 1 PM, the battery is down to about 60% – at which point they need to recharge to continue using them. With fairly consistent usage, the iPhone 15 Pro still performed well before the new operating system update.

However, after updating to iOS 26 beta, battery life drains faster, especially when running demanding apps like Pokémon GO or Facebook. This could be a consequence of apps not yet being updated to be fully compatible with the new operating system, resulting in inefficient power management. This suggests users should carefully consider before installing the beta version if it's not absolutely necessary.

After updating to iOS 26, how long does the iPhone battery last?

The current iOS 26 beta experience has left many users disappointed, particularly in terms of battery life. After installing the first beta version of iOS 26, many noticed that the battery drained significantly faster than in previous iOS versions. Even after just 40 minutes of playing Pokémon GO, the battery level dropped by nearly 30%—a considerable amount for such a short usage time.

This indicates that the beta version is not yet optimized for performance and power management. Installing it on the primary device – which is used daily – is clearly not the ideal choice. Changes in battery performance like this not only affect the user experience but also cause inconvenience in many situations when traveling or working without a charger available.

Currently, using an iPhone running iOS 26 beta all day without charging is nearly impossible. Users typically have to fully charge their device before leaving home and carefully plan their usage time, knowing that they won't have a backup power source for more than 6 hours. For those with busy travel schedules or who rely heavily on their phones, this is a significant inconvenience.

If you're considering trying the iOS 26 beta, especially the developer version, think twice – particularly if battery life is a priority for you. Updating early might offer an exciting experience, but it also comes with unexpected risks to performance and stability.

In summary, the official release of iOS 26 will likely bring significant improvements, but at the moment, the beta version still has many limitations. Consider carefully before installing and only test it on a secondary device if you don't want to disrupt your daily usage habits.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ios-26-khien-iphone-hao-pin-319421.html