Experiment Shows iOS 26’s Liquid Glass Lowers iPhone 17 Pro Max’s Possible Battery Life

**iPhone 17 Pro Max’s Battery Performance Might Have Been Superior Without iOS 26’s Liquid Glass, Experiment Suggests**

The iPhone 17 lineup features enhanced battery performance compared to its forerunners, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max at the forefront. This version is equipped with a larger battery, particularly in the eSIM-only model, taking advantage of the space made available by eliminating the physical SIM card. Nonetheless, initial evaluations reveal that the Liquid Glass design in iOS 26 considerably accelerates battery drain in comparison to iOS 18. For example, an iPhone 16 Pro Max depleted 13% of its battery during standard operations on iOS 26, while it only used 1% on iOS 18.

A user on Reddit, MarionberryDear6170, ran a test that uncovered Liquid Glass as a “terrible battery issue” on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The test, sparked by the user’s experience with the iOS 26 beta on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, pointed out significant heat generation and battery drain challenges. The user illustrated that various activities require excessive power, and that the Reduce Transparency setting does little to counteract this. However, there is potential for a notable boost in battery life, though the remedy may not be well-received by users.

**Low Power Mode greatly enhances the battery life of the iPhone 17 Pro Max**

The Redditor’s test involved restricting charging to 80% and performing activities on the iPhone 17 Pro Max while observing power consumption. Here are some insights:

– Accessing the Control Center: 8-9W
– Taking photos: 8-9W
– Capturing screenshots: 7-17W
– Utilizing Apple Maps: 8-9W
– Screen recording: 5-6W when idle, reaching 9-11W while scrolling

The trial indicated that utilizing clear icons in iOS 26 elevates power consumption, and activating Reduce Transparency mode contributes an additional 1W for all tasks. Low Power Mode appeared as the sole efficient remedy, cutting energy usage to under 5W for equivalent activities. This mode extended screen-on duration from 6.5 hours to 10 hours. However, Low Power Mode modifies the iPhone experience by dimming the display, reducing the refresh rate to 60Hz, restricting 5G access, and limiting background processes. Even with this, the battery performance of the iPhone 17 Pro Max remains outstanding, suggesting that users may not often need to depend on Low Power Mode.

User Ratings Order Each Significant Wi-Fi Mesh System From Least to Most Favorable

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Guide to Starting Your Android Device in Safe Mode and Its Advantages

subpar and harmful applications to bypass Google’s protections. Luckily, Android, similar to various other systems, features a built-in Safe Mode, which serves as an outstanding diagnostic tool to help identify whether a third-party application is the source of your phone’s problems or if the issues stem from defective hardware or the operating system itself.

This is achievable as the safe mode temporarily suspends all third-party applications on your Android device and exclusively operates the essential system software and services, including any apps that might have been pre-installed. If your phone functions properly in safe mode and you no longer experience any of the problems you encountered previously, it indicates that one or more of the installed applications are at fault. You can then uninstall recently added or updated applications to check if the issue resolves.

Possible Outcomes of a US Prohibition on VPNs

Virtual Private Networks, commonly referred to as VPNs, serve as an exceptional method to maintain your privacy and restore anonymity during online browsing. They function by obscuring your original IP address and providing you with a temporary IP on a remote physical server. However, this might become unfeasible if recent legislation is enacted. On September 11, Michigan legislators proposed the Anticorruption of Public Morals Act, which broadly prohibits online adult content, potentially encompassing ASMR, adult manga, AI-generated content, and entirely bans the use of VPNs, irrespective of their origin, whether domestic or international. Michigan’s proposal would also impose fines on internet service providers for failing to identify and obstruct VPN usage—additionally, it prohibits the sale of VPNs within the state. If VPNs were to be outlawed in the U.S., it could result in significant repercussions beyond just individuals using VPNs for personal networks.

What remains ambiguous from the proposed language is the impact on corporate or security-focused VPNs, particularly for remote workforces. Numerous companies utilize VPNs to safeguard and encrypt internet traffic for secure networking purposes. While private VPNs, or those operated by home users, have been employed to bypass laws enacted in other states such as Texas or Louisiana, enterprise-level VPNs certainly do not serve that purpose and are vital for the functionality of these businesses. Nonetheless, VPNs are not solely utilized for illicit activities or evading restrictions. Individuals also leverage them to minimize data tracking, shield their IP addresses and identities, and circumvent dubious localized pricing—such as when travel companies inflate costs based on a customer’s location. VPNs have gained enough prominence that the latest iPhone features a built-in useful VPN option known as Private Relay.

What does the legislation actually specify?

The bill aims to complement recently enacted laws mandating age verification for adult content online but extends further by thwarting unintended access via what it terms “circumvention tools.” If you reside in a prohibited state, you could ostensibly use a VPN to alter your virtual location and circumvent restrictions, including age verification processes. The bill defines “circumvention tools” as “any software, hardware, or service intended to bypass internet filtering mechanisms or content limitations.” It also categorizes potential tools as “virtual private networks, proxy servers, and encrypted tunneling techniques,” which are explicitly meant to “evade content restrictions.” Its scope is wide and does not exclude much from its reach, thereby allowing for significant linguistic manipulation.

Ultimately, it remains uncertain how this will influence VPNs if similar legislation is approved at the federal level. Furthermore, VPNs are inherently more challenging to detect from a technical perspective than the terminology in this bill suggests. Techniques like deep packet inspection and blocking known IP addresses belonging to popular VPNs are feasible. However, this would not capture everything, and costly infrastructure development will be required to effectively prohibit VPNs as the bill demands, a point raised by privacy advocates. Additionally, concerning personal data, individuals do not need to erase their information from the internet or data brokers if they are not generating any while shielded by a VPN. In this context, VPNs offer protection for all.

A VPN prohibition could harm online privacy

Should the U.S. indeed implement a VPN ban at the federal level, across all 50 states, the ensuing situation would likely spell disaster for numerous stakeholders. Enterprise and corporate VPNs would be disallowed unless an exception clause was included. Private VPNs, including those operated from abroad, would be deemed illegal. Internet Service Providers would then assume the responsibility of identifying, blocking, and reporting individuals utilizing VPNs. However, given that VPN detection is often unreliable—some VPNs can completely mask their usage—before adequate technology is developed to discover and verify VPN utilization, individuals could be incorrectly flagged as using them even when they are not. Upstanding citizens might find themselves ensnared in the net of erroneous detection systems. Google currently employs AI to ascertain if users are teenagers; it is not far-fetched to envision its application for VPN verification as well.

Once more, gauging the actual impact of these potential outcomes is challenging. However, if the Michigan bill is passed, or similar legislation emerges in any other state, you might soon witness how the situation unfolds. The Michigan proposal has yet to be approved and has not been voted on by the state Senate, but this is not the first instance of such legislation being suggested.

Surprising Answer to iPhone 17’s ScratchGate: Salt

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models continue to be out of stock online globally, as Apple struggles to meet the demand for three out of the four new iPhones that were launched in stores on September 19. Although the iPhone 17 series has proven to be a significant success, the release has revealed some concerns. ScratchGate has emerged as the most notable issue, a hashtag that has circulated on social media since September 19, when customers found that the iPhone 17 Pro models on display in Apple retail locations were susceptible to scratches. However, there seems to be a straightforward solution to ScratchGate. Wiping the back of the device with a saline solution may eliminate some scratches. Nevertheless, you may not want to overuse this remedy, as it is not officially recommended.

Pictures shared on social media on September 19 indicated that the glass portion of the iPhone 17 Pro models seemed to mark easily. The aluminum frame also appeared to be vulnerable to scratching. In the days that followed, renowned teardown specialists like JerryRigEverything and iFixit discussed why the iPhone 17 Pros may have a higher likelihood of scratching and denting. The glass panel on the rear seems intact, as does most of the aluminum, but the rear camera module of the iPhone 17 Pro could become accidentally dented. Both experts highlighted that the sharp edges of the camera plateau are a risk factor for scratches. Additionally, drop tests demonstrated that the iPhone 17 Pro models are relatively robust, but the aluminum chassis can sustain dents and scratches.

The salt “remedy” might only help with the scratches on the glass surface, not those on the aluminum frame. Furthermore, even if salt-based cleaning solutions are applicable, they should not be misused, as there are no instructions from Apple regarding this.