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

[MacRumors]

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.

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.

• iOS 16: How to Display iPhone Battery Percentage in Status Bar

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.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1557045741012623360

https://twitter.com/x/status/1557165131888476160

https://twitter.com/x/status/1556825088078528512

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.)

• How to Show Battery Percentage on iPhone

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.

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

 

[exoticSpice]

oh grow up, people.

 

[emulajavi]

Another suggestion

Just leave the white ouline of the battery icon with white numbers inside. No background until the red 20% one. That way the full background won’t trick you to thinks it’s full at 60%

 

[fwmireault]

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.

 

[ghostface147]

It really is a big controversy. Crazy. Let’s see what changes they bring between now and final release, if any.

 

[Stridr69]

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"

 

[yegon]

Time to abandon Apple and get a dumb phone? I think so 😢

 

[MacBird]

I like the design of 'Alternative A' in that second tweet. Apple should make two options available, the current one and one with numbers to alleviate all the concerns.

 

[rdinterman]

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.

 

[Col4bin]

For the record, the icon with numbers has always looked tacky. (We can still toggle this as an option, right?)

 

[Starscape]

A fantastic example of people looking for something to complain about.

 

[contacos]

Considering Apple just removed the battery indicator on the AirTag recently, I am surprised they even added it to the iPhone on the first place.

All these complains are just going to lead to them removing it all together again 😅

But also LOL at people on MR complaining about UI designers complaining about this. It is literally their job!

You may not have an eye for details or simply don’t care but that’s probably why you are not a UX designer anyway 🙃

 

[votdfak]

Design is fine by me, ok you can always improve, but I am fine with it.

 

[Sposborn]

It sounds like quite a few people on the internet need a hobby... It's a battery icon....

 

[Reeneman]

There are way more important things to discuss but nevertheless I really like the suggestions A & B from Mikael and the approach by Brian.

 

[RoadWarrior56]

I love the idea of returning the battery percentage number on iPhones. I am only disappointed that at least for now, it won't work on my 13 Mini.

 

[blairh]

These suggestions on Twitter are all lousy. Makes it much less pleasing to look at. Apple got this one right IMO.

 

[Reeneman]

Problem with this two tone is that it also has to change when the background switches from light to dark and vice versa.

 

[1557750]

😂

Do all these people still not realize that it’s in beta? If anyone is gonna perfect a design in their UI, it’s gonna be Apple.

There’s nothing “controversial” about this. And if they decide to leave it like it is, so be it. I’m good.

 

[Darkwalker]

People complain about the most nonsensical things sometimes. The design as it stands looks cleaner and is perfectly fine to me.

 

[Reeneman]

These suggestions on Twitter are all lousy. Makes it much less pleasing to look at. Apple got this one right IMO.

Simple vs as much as possible.
The latter is not always the better option.

 

[DaSal]

It’s cool it’s coming back for those that want it. I don’t actually miss the percentage to be honest. Especially on the newer phones the battery life is never an issue. But even on older models I always felt that the percentage caused anxiety for no reason: fixation on a percentage. I certainly don’t miss the days of checking the battery percentage every time I open my phone. Actually, I never notice it now except when it’s red.

 

[Darth-Kylie]

It’s only “controversial” because it gives you an excuse to post a tedious article even though most people would just adapt. It’s not like phone battery life hasn’t improved massively in recent years; that you shouldn’t need to worry about it until you see red is truer now more than ever, and even when it’s red that’s still less of a concern, proportionally, for quite a few per cent.

 

[AirunJae]

I'm glad the option to have percentage is back. I'm sure they'll make it look better while in Beta.

 

[ikir]

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.

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.

• iOS 16: How to Display iPhone Battery Percentage in Status Bar

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.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1557045741012623360

https://twitter.com/x/status/1557165131888476160

https://twitter.com/x/status/1556825088078528512

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.)

• How to Show Battery Percentage on iPhone

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.

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

Literally people are dying fighting for their freedom and we are crying over a free new feature. Ok.