Apple’s Next iOS Expected to Feature Charging Time Indicator
Apple is gearing up for its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), scheduled to begin next week on 9th June. Apple plans to preview the next generation of software updates for its extensive range of devices at the event, as is customary and will release them in the fall. Among the highly anticipated announcements is the upcoming major software update for iPhones. Some reports suggest that Apple might adopt a new naming convention and jump to iOS 26 to align with the 2026 calendar year, even though traditionally people expected the update to be named iOS 19. Widely expected by many, the update will bring a refreshed user interface and a host of new functionalities, regardless of its name.
Charging Convenience Coming to Lock Screen
One particularly exciting rumoured feature focuses on enhancing the charging experience for iPhone users. According to sources, the new iOS update will introduce a convenient charging time estimate directly on the Lock Screen. This feature lets users quickly see how much longer their iPhone needs to charge to reach 100%, removing the need to unlock the device.
“BatteryIntelligence” Feature Finally Expected
Hints of this feature initially appeared in the second beta of iOS 18.2 in November of last year. Code referencing a “BatteryIntelligence” feature, reportedly part of the broader Apple Intelligence suite, suggested the capability to provide an estimated full charge time or the time to reach a user-defined charge limit. However, this feature did not materialise in the final release of iOS 18 or subsequent updates.
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg now reports that Apple will debut this much-awaited functionality with the upcoming iOS update. The lock-screen indicator will provide a real-time estimate of the remaining charging time, offering users a more practical way to manage their device’s power and plan their day without the guesswork.
While the implementation details remain unclear, questions arise regarding how the iPhone will accurately determine the charging time, considering the varying speeds of wired versus wireless charging (including MagSafe). WWDC is expected to unveil more information on this aspect.
Expected Release Timeline
Apple might break from tradition by naming the update iOS 26 instead of iOS 19, according to some reports, in an effort to align with the 2026 calendar year. People widely expect the update, regardless of its name, to introduce a refreshed user interface and a host of new functionalities.
This new charging feature likely requires compatible hardware, as it links directly to Apple Intelligence. Current reports suggest that iPhones equipped with the A17 Pro chip (iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max) and the upcoming iPhone 16 series (all models expected) will support Apple Intelligence and, consequently, this new charging time estimate feature. Users with older iPhone models will need to verify compatibility with the new iOS version to determine if this feature will be available on their devices.
