Your smartphone is only as good as the charge it holds. It doesn’t matter if you have the newest flagship iPhone or Android—when the device’s battery dies, all the bells and whistles don’t mean diddly. And manufacturers know it.
For years, Apple and Google have managed to pack increasingly larger-capacity batteries into the phones they make. The larger the battery, the longer your phone can stay charged. But in recent years, both companies have also been turning to software features on their phones’ operating systems to help maximize battery life.
Apple added several software-based battery maximization enhancements in iOS 26. Google has done the same with its popular line of Pixel phones , particularly those running Android 16. Here’s how to use them.
Check your battery’s health and remaining capacity
Android 16 brought a new feature to many Pixel phones called “Battery health.” Think of this as a one-stop dashboard that provides quick-glance access to critical information about your battery.
As noted by 9to5Google, Battery Health provides a quick overview of your battery’s condition on select Pixel phones running Android 16. This overview includes a visual indicator to show whether your battery is running normally, the charging type you selected (more on that below), and how much capacity your battery has left.
This capacity information is perhaps the most vital, as it shows how much charge your battery can hold compared to when it was new (a new battery has 100% capacity). As batteries age, their capacity decreases, and as that capacity decreases, your battery needs more frequent charging.
As a rule of thumb, if your battery’s capacity drops below 80%, it’s best to consider replacing your failing battery with a brand-new one, though some of the tips below may still help you extend battery life. The new battery health feature in Android 16 makes it easier than ever to determine if you should make that choice.
