Introduction
In the latest beta release of iOS 26.1, Apple introduced a new "Tinted" mode for its Liquid Glass interface, which aims to provide users with a less translucent option. This prompted speculation about whether this new setting could help conserve battery life. To investigate this, a series of battery drain tests were conducted using the iPhone 17 Pro Max, comparing the performance of the Clear and Tinted modes under controlled conditions.
Test Parameters
The testing process involved four distinct scenarios, maintaining consistent parameters across all tests. The settings included: Liquid Glass in Clear mode, Liquid Glass in Tinted mode, Tinted mode with additional accessibility features like Reduce Transparency and Increase Contrast activated, and finally, Tinted mode with all accessibility features turned on, including Reduce Motion. Each test was performed in Light mode with True Tone and Night Shift disabled, and the screen brightness set to 50%. The iPhone's battery health was at 100%, and ambient temperatures during testing ranged from 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Testing Methodology
The methodology for testing involved a series of actions designed to simulate typical usage patterns. Each test lasted 2.5 hours, during which the device was subjected to 30-minute intervals of various activities, including scrolling through TikTok, watching YouTube videos, browsing Instagram, navigating the MacRumors website, and using the Maps app. Notifications were accessed multiple times during each segment to replicate real-life usage scenarios. The iPhone was charged back to 80% between tests to ensure consistent starting points.
Results of the Tests
The outcomes of the tests revealed that the expected variances in battery consumption based on the Liquid Glass settings were minimal. The Clear mode started at 80% and ended at 70%, while the Tinted mode also ended at 69%. The additional settings of Reduce Transparency and Reduce Motion did not yield significant differences, with results remaining largely consistent across all tests. Notably, the variations in battery percentage at the end of each test were too small to draw any concrete conclusions about the impact of these settings on battery life.
Detailed Breakdown of Battery Performance
In a more granular analysis, the battery percentages at the conclusion of each app session were noted. For instance, in the Clear mode test, TikTok ended at 79%, YouTube at 77%, and so on. Similar patterns were observed across the various rounds, with slight fluctuations in percentages, but no definitive trends that would suggest a clear advantage for any particular setting.
Caveats to Consider
The testing was limited to a 2.5-hour window, which may not fully represent longer-term usage patterns. The specific apps chosen for testing do not heavily utilize the Liquid Glass interface, which could skew results. Additionally, the performance of older iPhone models might differ, as they may struggle more with rendering Liquid Glass effects compared to newer models like the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Conclusion
Overall, the tests indicated that the Liquid Glass settings in iOS 26.1 do not significantly affect battery consumption on the iPhone 17 models. Users seeking to optimize battery life may find more success with features such as Low Power Mode, Adaptive Power Mode, and reducing screen brightness, rather than relying on the visual preferences of Tinted mode or Reduce Transparency. As Apple continues to refine its software, future iterations may offer more impactful solutions for battery management.