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

Some users are unhappy with the way the change has been implemented, despite the fact that it has been welcomed by the majority of users.

The lack of space on either side of the notch that houses the TrueDepth camera hardware is the reason why battery percent isn't present on the Face ID-equipped phones. A better idea of battery status is provided by adding the specific battery level to the icon.

The white battery icon is completely filled in in Apple's newest design. A fifth of the battery icon turns red when the percentage is less than 20% and the rest of the icon is white.

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

If a white bar depletes behind the number, it would be harder to see the central percentage number, so Apple decided to change the styling quickly.

Some users disagree with this approach and others suggest their own designs for a battery status indicator.

The new iOS battery percentage feature is a bit confusing. It’ll take time to get used to it. Seeing a filled battery icon with the numbers and half of the battery are two different understandings of how much battery is left. pic.twitter.com/eSA9ppiQv8 — Rokas (@samuolisr) August 9, 2022

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

Just recreating the battery indicator pic.twitter.com/cK8PZDe9Y5 — Brian Michel (@brianmichel) August 9, 2022

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.

It's a case of calling out poorly thought out design for some people. It plays into low- battery anxiety for some. It's become a heated topic and it's easy to forget that the percentage display is optional.

• How to Show Battery Percentage on iPhone

The battery level indicator design is not set in stone, and Apple could change it in a later version of the software. What do you think about the implementation of the latest public alpha? We want to know in the comments.