Here's What iOS 26.3 Does to Your iPhone Battery (You're Not Going to Like It)

iOS 26.3, available since February 12, has not significantly changed the experience for iPhone users. The update primarily contained security and bug fixes. Unfortunately, it even did more harm than good, if the testimonies of members of the online community are to be believed. Many people report that the battery life of their iPhone has significantly decreased since installing iOS 26.3. A Geekbench test confirms their statements.

iOS 26.3 is more energy intensive than iOS 26.2.1 for the iPhone 16

iAppleBytes has published a more than interesting video concerning the autonomy of iPhones under iOS 26.3. The YouTube channel used Geekbench 4 to measure the battery life of devices running iOS 26.3, but also other versions of the operating system in order to compare the results obtained.

“ Geekbench 4 measures battery life by running CPU-intensive applications, thus providing a constant workload. It generates a score based on the work done while the battery is discharging and the time it takes to discharge. », recalls the YouTube channel.

It is clear from this that iOS 26.3 is a particularly energy-intensive update. For example, the iPhone 16 displays a score of 8150 under iOS 26.3, while it rises to 9080 under iOS 26.2.1 and a maximum of 9770 under iOS 18.3.1. Fortunately, the loss of autonomy is less marked on the iPhone 15. The iPhone 13, however, even gains a little in the change between iOS 26.2.1 and iOS 26.3.

Owners of old iPhones upgraded to iOS 18.7.5 also have cause for concern. iPhone XR battery life with this version is much weaker than with iOS 18.7.3. Unfortunately, iAppleBytes has not put the iPhone 17 to the test.

Obviously, the iPhone 16 remains the most efficient of the smartphones tested given its capabilities. It is still quite regrettable to note that iOS 26.3 negatively impacts their autonomy. Let’s hope that iOS 26.4, expected at the end of March, reverses the trend.