Apple leverages AI to tackle iphone battery woes with iOS 19 update
Apple Inc. is turning to artificial intelligence in its bid to tackle one of the most persistent frustrations for iPhone users: battery life.
As part of the upcoming iOS 19 software release scheduled for September, the company is developing a new AI-driven battery management tool, according to a Bloomberg report citing individuals familiar with the development.
This new feature is designed to observe how users interact with their devices and then make real-time adjustments aimed at conserving battery power. It will form a major component of Apple’s expanding AI suite, known as Apple Intelligence.
The system will draw on anonymised battery usage data collected from millions of devices, allowing it to forecast when to reduce power consumption by disabling or scaling back energy-intensive functions and background tasks. It is expected to learn from each user’s habits to deliver tailored efficiency improvements.
A new lock-screen indicator will also inform users of the estimated time remaining for their phone to reach a full charge.
This innovation forms part of Apple’s broader strategy to embed artificial intelligence more deeply within its product ecosystem, particularly as it competes with rivals such as OpenAI, Google (Alphabet Inc.), and Microsoft, who are making significant strides in AI integration.
Apple Intelligence already includes tools for editing text, summarising notifications, generating personalised emojis, and removing unwanted elements from photos. The addition of battery optimisation aims to enhance the utility of this suite further.
The new feature is being developed with Apple’s upcoming slimmer iPhone 17 model in mind. This version, expected to launch alongside the standard and Pro variants, will reportedly feature a smaller battery due to its thinner design, potentially affecting its battery longevity.
Apple’s AI solution seeks to address this by improving energy efficiency. Notably, the feature will not be limited to the iPhone 17 but will be available across all iPhones compatible with iOS 19.
The company is also looking to bring Apple Intelligence to its wider range of products, including the iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. While the Apple Watch may not be able to run the AI models locally due to processing limitations, it will still offer new features marketed as “powered by Apple Intelligence.”
iOS 19, along with iPadOS 19 and macOS 16, will introduce a refreshed user interface, internally codenamed “Solarium.” The redesign, inspired by the aesthetics of sunlit glass rooms, seeks to deliver a more cohesive user experience, particularly in aligning the interfaces of iPads and Macs.
Among the functional enhancements planned is the ability for devices to automatically connect to Wi-Fi networks that typically require browser-based login portals. This is expected to resolve a common inconvenience experienced in public venues such as hotels and gyms.
In the meantime, Apple on Monday released iOS 18.5, a smaller update focused on bug fixes and minor improvements. An iOS 18.6 version is also on the way, which is anticipated to bring Apple Intelligence features to users in China.
