Have you ever picked up your iPhone and thought, “How long do I have until the battery is fully charged?” Well – thanks to the upcoming iOS 19 update, you will know the answer right from your lock screen. This may seem like a small change, but it will change how we use these devices in a meaningful way.
iPhone Charging History
Over the years as charging and battery features have progressed, from fast charging to battery health and all of the other battery features that Apple has rolled out – they have aimed to improve user experience. The next feature in line – is a charging time estimate.
What Is the Charging Time Estimate?
The charging time estimate is a feature that will allow you to see the estimated time until the battery is charged properly on your lock screen. You will no longer need to wake the device or deal with your settings – it will simply show up on the lock screen. Essentially, this is just like a gas gauge telling you how long you have before it is full.
How Does It Work?
The feature, using the power of Apple Intelligence, estimates the charging time based on three areas:
- The battery level of your iPhone: The starting point for the estimate.
- The charging option you are using: A standard charger, fast charger, or a wireless charger.
- How your iPhone is being used: Background usage or current usage will also play a role, and so can how you use your iPhone while it is charging.
After analyzing the three areas, your iPhone will always give you an estimate – and you will never need to wonder or guess again!
How It Works With Apple Intelligence
This is fundamentally based on using the Apple Intelligence. The feature is always learning from your charging behavior and your use of the device to help provide a better prediction over time.
How It Works with These Devices
Not all iPhones will have this feature or need to have a different hardware/software. We think this feature will be available on:
- The iPhone 16 Series
- The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max
The older models may not have the software/hardware to support the feature.
User Interface and User Experience
The charging time estimate will not disrupt the lock screen and will probably be a widget or live activity. The goal of the design is to provide the maximum amount of information, while disrupting the user the least, and meeting Apple’s design and experience goals.
Future Possibilities
This feature could also open the door to other advanced battery management options down the road. For instance, thinking about how great it would be for your iPhone to propose times to charge your iPhone based on your schedule, or dynamically changing performance to save your battery in a critical situation.
Expected Release Date
Mark your calendars! Apple will announce iOS 19 on June 9, 2025, at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Typically, we will see an initial rollout during the fall, which also coincides with the release of next year’s iPhone.
Final Thoughts
Besides all the other exciting features in iOS 19, the introduction of the charging time estimate shows Apple is focused on the user experience through intelligent features. Giving the user real-time charging information enables timelier decisions around usage of devices. Although there will be more features coming soon, the charging time estimate is a promising addition to the iOS 19 feature set, leaving users excited for an official release from Apple.
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