Here's Why the iPhone Battery Status Icon in iOS 16 Is So Controversial

In the latest iOS 16 beta, Apple has updated the status bar battery icon on iPhones with Face ID to display the exact percentage remaining rather than just a visual representation of battery level, and while the change has been largely welcomed, some users are unhappy with the way it has been implemented.

Lock Screen
In iOS 15 and earlier, battery percent has not been present on iPhones that have ‌Face ID‌ because of the lack of space on either side of the notch that houses the TrueDepth camera hardware. The new design adds the specific battery level to the battery icon, providing a better idea of battery status at a glance.

In Apple's latest design, the white battery icon remains completely filled in as the battery level gradually depletes. When the semi-transparent percentage reaches 20% or lower, a fifth of the battery icon turns red and the rest of the icon becomes semi-transparent, while the percentage inverts to white.

Apple appears to have chosen this abrupt change in styling to ensure that the central percentage number remains legible as the battery level depletes – if a white bar depleted behind the number then it would be harder to make out at a glance, Apple's UI designers likely concluded.

Some users disagree with this approach, while others have suggested their own alternative designs for a battery status indicator with percentage level.

Perhaps Apple didn't anticipate that such a small design change would be so controversial, or that some users have a very clear idea of how they want their iPhone's battery level to be represented.

For some, it's simply a case of calling out what they consider to be poorly thought-out UI design. For others, it plays into low-battery anxiety, a major trigger of nomophobia. Either way, it's become a surprisingly heated topic, while it's easy to forget that the percentage display is optional (caveat: It's enforced when in Low Power Mode.)

Of course, the battery level indicator design isn't set in stone, and Apple well could change it in a later beta of iOS 16 or the final release. Whether you're testing the latest public beta or not, what do you think about the way it's been implemented? Let us know in the comments.

Related Roundups: iOS 16, iPadOS 16
Related Forum: iOS 16

Top Rated Comments

exoticSpice Avatar
15 months ago
oh grow up, people.
Score: 87 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fwmireault Avatar
15 months ago
It’s silly to complain about such a minor thing. Design could probably be better, but I’m just happy that this feature is avaible again.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Stridr69 Avatar
15 months ago
Talk about a first world problem. Personally I've gotten used to the current version so don't really care at all about what percentage of battery is left. William Shakespeare's play comes to mind here: "Much Ado about Nothing"
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rdinterman Avatar
15 months ago
Seriously people, get a grip. It’s fine the way it is, just happy it’s back. Toggle it off of you don’t like it.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Starscape Avatar
15 months ago
A fantastic example of people looking for something to complain about.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sposborn Avatar
15 months ago
It sounds like quite a few people on the internet need a hobby... It's a battery icon....
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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