Why Apple Removed iPhone's Battery Percentage

In 2017, Apple released iPhone X. The most dramatic update to iPhone since the original. Although it took away a convenient feature that the device previously had; the battery percentage. It used to be viewable directly from the menu bar. But with iPhone X, it was moved to control center. Requiring a swipe down just to see the state of charge. Many felt this was a step backward, so why did Apple do it?

[meliotablet]

I usually think you cover Apple's back with your explanations somewhat but this time you were completely on point! Nice video.

[Peizxcv]

Took 5 years and still got it wrong and quickly fixed by users. This shows why it’s such a bad idea having upper management filled with yes-men that “all believes in the company” and cannot think critically

[danielschmaderer]

This was my biggest annoyance when I moved from iPhone 7 to the 12 pro. So much so that I put a battery widget on my 1st screen. Took up screen real estate, but it was better than not knowing exactly how much percentage I had let.


Edit: why are so many of you triggered by my post? It’s simple. I wanted the battery percentage because a quick glance is easier and quicker than swiping down the control center and swiping back back up. I already achieved this with iOS 16 and it’s made everything streamlined. Also, my preference might not be the same as yours. Simple as that. Accept it.

[meh]

I love how quick and straight to the point these explanation videos are.

[AvikBhattacharyaavikb]

I feel sometimes apple implements things just because they want to. They might have had a brainstorming session as to why there shouldn't be any battery percentage indicator on the icon itself. However, when they reintroduced it, the basic thing expected from them was to give a indicative bar and not just a static one. This seems like a rookie mistake. Glad that they rectified it.

[chankifunge]

They reintroduced it but not for every model 🤡

[jun_suzuki]

I don't mind that percentage, the biggest regret of upgrading to iOS16 is that they removed the charging notification at the lock screen when I plug in my phone. Before the update, plugging the phone will trigger the animation of the battery with a notification saying "50% charging", and then display the lock screen with the time.

[tahaak]

That‘s really the reason why I turned that feature off in iOS 16. I found myself with a low battery occasionally because I thought I had plenty but it was sitting at 30% or less. The new approach on iOS 16.1 looks promising though. It‘s great to see that Apple started to listen to its users more and more.

[Luci-kdcm]

i myself am an apple user but in my opinion, i think apple purposefully made the battery icon without the percentage the default in order to make the battery life seem longer than it truly is, it would explain the first version of the percentage on iOS 16, it leads you to believe the battery life was longer as you only see it going down overtime rather than you seeing the numbers go down one by one

[torbenmayer]

And since iOS 16 it's back, you can set it to be inside the battery symbol. What annoys me on the 14 Pro Max is that it's just slightly off centre.

[Bruce_K]

They should just show the number and percent symbol. Give you the choice as you had on older models between that or a visual bar. There was no reason to get rid of the percentage option.

[wanderer]

Android user: can't you customise it from the settings? 😐

[anhvu-ypvs]

To enable this feature to show your battery percentage, go to settings, click on battery, then turn on the switch that says battery percentage. Your battery percentage should appear above your battery symbol.

[vpau]

I have to admit that when they implemented it on iOS 16 I did not turn it on at first. In my opinion I prefer it as it was on the X, and getting it on the control center. Seeing a number causes a lot more stress than seeing a bar.

[HousePlant]

I’d like to see it color coded. Green at full charge, yellowing and becoming more orange and red as it dies. I don’t care for the battery percentage, but that would be a nice option for visuals, as you could get a better representation at a glance

[drewsarmiento]

I have to agree. I switched to that initially but switched back to the one without percentage cause of the full batt ruse.

[chriscaricato]

I’ve also heard that the UX team didn’t want users stressing over percents, constantly checking it. When the percent isn’t there a quick glance let’s you think “I’ve got plenty of charge” and also might reduce user battery anxiety.

[The-Drone-Hobbyist]

Glad they added the percentage back in iOS 16.

[TechieConnoisseur]

I actually prefer no battery percentage on iOS and Android
I worry about it too much and it makes me constantly look up at it. As long as my phone lasts me all day and late into the night, I don’t care what the percentage is really

[starmanxvi]

I love how this comes out after they bring it back.