Other than the iPhone 17 series, Apple has also released the iOS 26 update for all existing iPhone models. The iOS 26 update has been available for download since September 15 and is compatible with iPhone 11 and all newer models, including the more recent iPhone 16 series. The update, which focuses primarily on the Liquid Glass design theme, is expected to refine the iPhone user experience even for existing users, alongside enhancing the appeal for the newest iPhone 17 series.
However, the new iOS 26 update rollout hasn’t been a smooth one. Many iPhone users have taken to social media to complain about several aspects of iOS 26 – while some have been unhappy with the new Liquid Glass design, others have complained about issues with performance and power efficiency on existing iPhones. Apple, however, has acknowledged the concerns in a recent post, suggesting why old iPhone models on iOS 26 are behaving in such a manner.
iOS 26 battery life, performance issues: Apple explains why
Apple has confirmed the concerns that users have put on social media ever since the rollout of the iOS 26 update. In a support document, Apple states, “Immediately after completing an update, particularly a major release, you might notice a temporary impact on battery life and thermal performance. This is normal, as your device needs time to complete the setup process in the background, including indexing data and files for search, downloading new assets, and updating apps.”
Hence, if you observe accelerated battery drain and occasional performance issues, it could be down to iOS 26 adjusting to your phone. The process of indexing data and files for search, as well as updating new apps in the background, can take a couple of days, thereby affecting the user experience. Once the setup process is complete, the iPhone will start settling down, optimising battery life and performance as advertised.
“New features are exciting and help you get even more out of your Apple product, though some may require additional resources from the device. Depending on individual usage, some users may notice a small impact on performance and/or battery life. Apple continually works to optimize these features in software updates to ensure great battery life and a smooth user experience,” adds Apple.
iOS 26 features at a glance
One of the biggest changes is ‘Liquid Glass,’ a design that adds a translucent, glass-like quality to the Lock Screen, Home Screen, and app controls. Beyond aesthetics, the update integrates artificial intelligence, enabling features like live translation in messages and FaceTime calls, and Visual Intelligence to search and take action on any content on their screen. New communication features include “Call Screening” to filter unknown callers and “Hold Assist,” which waits on hold for the user and notifies them when an agent is ready. Additionally, iOS 26 introduces new customisation options for app icons, revamped apps like Photos and Camera with simplified layouts, and a new Games app.
