Technologies

Adaptive Power in iOS 26 Could Mean Longer Stretches Between iPhone Charges

Who doesn’t want more battery life in their phone? This low-level feature works quietly in the background without you needing to do anything special.

The upcoming iOS 26 includes several new features I’m looking forward to running on my iPhone, from the Liquid Glass interface to new ways to cut down on unwanted calls and messages. But one feature I can’t wait to turn on will hopefully be something I can forget about. A new Adaptive Power setting promises to extend battery power by selectively applying energy savings in small ways that add up. It’s currently available in the iOS 26 developer beta and is expected to ship in the fall.

See also: Adaptive Power in iOS 26 Could Save the iPhone 17 Air From This Major Pitfall

Currently, the iPhone uses as much power as it needs to perform its tasks. You can extend the battery life by doing a number of things, such as decreasing screen brightness and turning off the always-on display. Or, if your battery level is starting to get dire, you can activate Low Power Mode, which reduces background activity like fetching mail and downloading data in addition to those screen adjustments. Low Power Mode also kicks in automatically when the battery level reaches 20%.

If Low Power Mode is the hammer that knocks down power consumption, Adaptive Power is the scalpel that intelligently trims energy savings here and there as needed. Based on Apple’s description that accompanies the control, the savings will be felt mostly in power-hungry situations such as recording videos, editing photos or perhaps even playing games:

«When your battery usage is higher than usual, iPhone can make small performance adjustments to extend your battery life, including slightly lowering the display brightness or allowing some activities to take a little longer. Low Power Mode may turn on at 20%.»

How to turn adaptive power on

Adaptive Power is not on by default and you’ll need to opt-in to use it. In iOS 26, you’ll find the Adaptive Power toggle in Settings > Battery > Power Mode.

Since Adaptive Power appears to be using AI in deciding which settings and processes to adjust, I suspect the feature will be available on iPhone models that support Apple Intelligence, which include the iPhone 15 Pro and later. A Reddit thread about Adaptive Power suggests this is the case, with commenters noting it does not show up in iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro models with the beta installed.

Adaptive Power sounds like an outgrowth of Gaming Mode, introduced in iOS 18, which routes all available processing and graphics power to the frontmost app and pauses other processes in order to deliver the best experience possible — at the notable expense of battery life.

What does this mean for your charging habits?

Although we all want as much battery life as possible all the time, judging by the description it sounds as if Adaptive Power’s optimizations will not always be active, even if you leave the feature on. «When your battery usage is higher than usual» could include a limited number of situations. Still, considering that according to a CNET survey 61% of people upgrade their phones because of battery life, a feature such as Adaptive Power could extend the longevity of their phones just by updating to iOS 26.

I also wonder whether slightly adjusting display brightness could be disruptive. But because the feature is also selectively de-prioritizing processing tasks, it suggests that the outward effects will be minimal.

We’ll know more about how well Adaptive Power works as the iOS 26 beta program nears the expected release date in September or October — battery optimizations are often the last tweaks to be made to operating systems in development just before shipping. If you want to start giving iOS 26 a spin, you can download the first developer beta now; a public beta is expected this month. Just remember that beta software carries risks, especially these first iterations that have recently been set loose from Apple’s labs.

Technologies

Anti-Prime Day Deal: This Clicky Logitech Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Just Hit a New Low of $47

The Logitech G713 wired mechanical keyboard comes with RGB lighting, a minimalist white design and a funky cloud-shaped palm rest.

A keyboard can be an expensive bit of kit, especially if you’re shopping for one with mechanical switches. Shop for something with «gaming» in its name and the price normally jumps, too. That’s why this Prime Day deal on the Logitech G713 wired mechanical keyboard caught our eye. Thanks to that deal, it’s now dropped to a new all-time low of just $69 at Walmart. But be quick, we don’t know how long this deal is going to last.

Available in a cool white finish with a free cloud palm rest thrown in, the Logitech G713 features Lightsync RGB technology that allows users to customize colors to their liking when playing the latest and greatest video games. Four preloaded Play Mood animations are already built in, and the device was designed with comfort and calmness in mind.

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Players can decide between a choice of GX switches — specifically made by Logitech for gaming — to enhance playtime. These can be beneficial in fast-paced titles like Call of Duty, Apex Legends or one of 2025’s biggest releases in Monster Hunter Wilds. The clicky feedback can also generally be useful in day-to-day life when typing.

Full media controls are also included, allowing you to adjust the volume, mute, play/pause and much more at the push of a button. A dedicated Game Mode can be initiated too, blocking Windows and Menu keys when pressed.

Why this deal matters

Considering the quality of Logitech and the #123 discount that has been applied, this is a great saving for a tactical keyboard with plenty of cool features. The custom options alone make it worth thinking about, however, add in the fact that it’s never been more affordable, and it’s no wonder it’s become a bestseller at Walmart. Just remember that these deals are usually limited-time, while stock numbers are another factor. When they’re gone, they’re gone.

Want to check out the competition? We’ve rounded up the best keyboard deals from around the web so you can compare and walk away with the cheapest price possible.

Technologies

Prime Day Deal: Samsung Galaxy Ring Drops to Record Low Price With New 30% Discount

The silver Samsung Galaxy Ring is down by $115 on Amazon for a limited time only.

There’s nothing more important than your health. We might be into the second half of 2025, but it’s never too late to make this the year that you focus on your fitness, and the Samsung Galaxy Ring is a brilliant option for those who would rather not wear a smartwatch. Usually sold for around $400, Amazon’s Prime Day sale has slashed the price by as much as $115.

All of that means that Amazon Prime members can now pick up a shiny new Galaxy Ring from just $285. Multiple colors and sizes are available at that price, with others seeing $100 in savings. Just keep in mind that these kinds of deals don’t tend to last for long, so ordering soon is definitely the way to go. Not a Prime member? Best Buy is currently offering a $100 discount.

It’s also important to note that these prices constantly fluctuate, so keep that in mind when you’re planning to make your purchase. That said, this is close to the lowest price we’ve seen the Samsung Galaxy Ring sell for, so there’s little reason to delay your order.

Whether you’re looking to track your sleep for a better understanding of your rest and recovery, or you’re a fitness fiend who uses every metric to get the best out of themselves, a smart ring can be huge for tracking important data.

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The Samsung Galaxy Ring doesn’t require any subscriptions but that doesn’t mean you won’t benefit from the features we’ve come to expect from these kinds of wearables. There’s support for sleep tracking, fitness monitoring and more, and you’ll be able to wear your ring for up to seven days before you need to charge it again.

Other features worth noting include cycle tracking capabilities, the ability to track your heart rate, and more via a device that just slips onto your finger.

SMARTWATCH DEALS OF THE WEEK

Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 46mm, Black, M/L Sports Band):

$359 (save $70)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Bluetooth, 40mm, Cream):

$200 (save $100)
Amazfit Active 42mm Smartwatch With 14 Day Battery Life (Black):

$85 (save $25)
Garmin Vivoactive 5 GPS Smartwatch With AMOLED Display:

$200 (save $100)
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (Wi-Fi, LTE, 47mm, Titanium Silver):

$500 (save $150)

Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.

Why this deal matters

The Samsung Galaxy Ring isn’t a cheap bit of tech but the benefits can be massive, especially if you want to keep an eye on your health throughout the day and night without wearing something too flashy. A silver ring like this can blend in nicely with any look when going out and then connects to the Samsung Health App to provide details on your overall wellness. $400 is a lot to ask but considering it’s down by as much as $115, it’s a bit more affordable today.

Still think that a smartwatch might be the way to go for you? Check out our list of the best smartwatches before choosing one for your wrist.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Wednesday, July 9

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for July 9.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

There are two fun poet clues in today’s Mini Crossword, which I appreciated as an English major. I admit that 8-Across, the New York neighborhood clue, stumped me, but then I’ve never lived there. Need some help with today’s puzzle? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.