Apple’s latest iOS 18 update has arrived, bringing a treasure trove of new features for users. While the spotlight might have been on the more prominent additions, there are some subtle yet impactful changes tucked away, particularly concerning battery management.
One of these features is the new charging cable detection system. While iOS 18 doesn’t magically increase the speed at which your phone charges, it does make it easier to ensure you’re getting the most out of your charging session. Now, when you plug your phone in, iOS 18 will analyze your charging cable and alert you if it’s not providing the fastest possible charging speeds. This alert will appear in the Battery settings, and you’ll also notice a distinctive orange line on the battery graph, indicating the slower charging cable.
However, the feature’s effectiveness is slightly hampered by a lack of clarity. It’s unclear precisely how slow a cable needs to be to trigger the alert or orange line.
Staying on the topic of batteries, iOS 18 quietly introduces another notable change: the ability to raise the charging power limit from 80% to 95%. This may not seem like a significant jump, but it has a big impact on battery health. Overcharging, or repeatedly charging your battery to 100%, can lead to battery degradation over time. This is why many phone manufacturers, including Apple, typically cap the charging limit around 80%. With the new 95% limit in iOS 18, users can enjoy faster charging speeds for a larger portion of their battery capacity while still mitigating the risks of overcharging. Ultimately, this tweak offers a more flexible balance between speed and longevity.
