Incoherent, illegible, too small, not useful, failed… Critics abound. Apple certainly didn’t anticipate that such a small design change would be so controversial.
iOS 16
is refined as the betas are deployed, pending the final version of the system for the arrival of the iPhone 14. Precisely, on the last beta, a new option has appeared: the possibility of displaying the percentage of remaining battery in the status bar. What could have been good news has become the laughingstock of iPhone enthusiasts because of some Apple choices.
The controversy for a simple %
On iOS 15 and earlier, the remaining battery percentage was not present on iPhones with Face ID. Why ? This is due to the lack of space on either side of the notch which houses the TrueDepth camera. You had to slide the options menu to show the remaining percentage. Surprisingly, the latest version of iOS 16 brings a specific battery icon option, providing a better idea of battery status at a glance.
You have been given two screenshots side by side to compare the display difference. Specifically, the white/black battery icon remains fully filled as the battery level gradually depletes. When the percentage reaches 20% or less, one-fifth of the battery icon turns red and the rest of the icon turns semi-transparent, while the percentage changes to white. This sudden change in style should make everything readable as the battery level runs out. If a white bar moves behind the number, it would be more difficult to distinguish it at a glance. In any case, this is what the designers of this system must have thought.
Thoughts on the new battery icon on iOS 16? pic.twitter.com/5DfxrYMn99
— ✨ Kaloyan ✨ (@KokosTech) August 9, 2022
This is the first and main criticism, the gauge is visually always at 100%, except in special cases. This makes the remaining battery reading inconspicuous. Some users, who disagree with this approach, have suggested their own alternative conceptions for a battery status indicator with a percentage level. In this case, several versions are possible.
Others went so far as to offer animations to show what was possible. Perhaps Apple didn’t anticipate that such a small design change would be so controversial. We doubt that the American manufacturer is listening to these proposals… It will certainly be necessary jailbreak his iPhone when possible on iOS 16.
Nothing wrong with what Apple released but I think I might’ve preferred something like Alternative A for the battery indicator pic.twitter.com/a44879RIFk
— Mikael Johansson (@michaelnevernot) August 10, 2022
In any case, this battery percentage is causing ink to flow in the middle of August. On the other hand, there are those who refuse this option. Others would like to take advantage of it, but Apple has decided not to offer it on iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini, iPhone 11 and XR. Also, Apple may well change this option in a later beta version of iOS 16 or in the final version. If you are tempted by the iOS 16 experience, head to the public beta.
Apple has deployed the public beta of its future operating system iOS 16 as well as its counterpart for iPad. Before you jump into installing a non-definitive version, here are some tips on how to do so…
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