In the latest iOS update, Apple introduced a “Tinted” option for the Liquid Glass feature on the iPhone. This option makes the screen’s appearance less translucent, catering to users who prefer a bolder look. Many users wondered if this change could also save battery life, so I decided to run some tests.
Testing Battery Impact
I tested this using an iPhone 17 Pro Max. The goal was to see if different settings affect battery usage during daily tasks. Here’s how I set it up:
- Settings Used:
- Liquid Glass: Clear and Tinted versions, plus variations with reduced transparency and motion.
- Brightness: 50%, with light mode on.
- Testing Duration: 2.5 hours, split into equal parts for various apps.
Test Structure
I engaged in different activities:
- Scrolled TikTok
- Watched YouTube
- Browsed Instagram
- Surfed the web on Safari
- Used Maps for navigation
I mimicked typical phone use with notifications enabled and checked my battery health at 100%.
Results of Testing
Surprisingly, the results showed minimal differences in battery usage across various settings:
- Round 1 (Clear): Started at 80%, ended at 70%.
- Round 2 (Tinted): Started at 80%, ended at 69%.
- Round 3 (Tinted + Reduce Transparency + Increase Contrast): Started at 80%, ended at 69%.
- Round 4 (All features on): Started at 80%, ended at 70%.
Overall, settings had little impact on battery life, often differing by just 1%.
Minor Observations
Each round led to slight variations:
- TikTok showed a pattern of 78% to start in most rounds.
- YouTube and Instagram similarly fluctuated but stayed in a close range.
While I tried to simulate real-life use, the 2.5-hour test might not capture the effects of continuous use over a full day, which could show different results.
User Interest and Future Testing
Some users with older iPhones might have different experiences. Performance might vary based on how well their device can render features like Liquid Glass. If anyone wants to try similar tests, I’d love to compile results for more insights.
Final Thoughts
For iPhone 17 users, it appears tinkering with Liquid Glass settings won’t significantly enhance battery life. If saving power is a priority, options like Low Power Mode, Dark Mode, and lowering screen brightness remain the most effective strategies.
This update reminds us that while features may enhance visual appeal, their impact on functionality should be the primary focus.
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Apple, Rumors, Mac, iOS, iPhone, iPad
