Apple’s latest software update, iOS 26, is facing an early backlash from iPhone users who claim the new release is hammering battery life.

The update, which introduces a significant design overhaul including the Liquid Glass interface, went live this week after being announced at WWDC in June.

While the refreshed look has drawn mixed reviews, it’s the performance hit that has sparked criticism on social media.

One unhappy iPhone user complained on X that “iOS 26 is turning my phone into a brick” and claimed their battery dropped from full to 79% in under an hour

Other users took to social media to report their handset was “burning up” and their battery health rating had abruptly slipped to 80%.

An update is unlikely to cause your phone to explode, but it may drain the battery

Reports of overheating and rapid drain have been widespread, with some users seeing charge levels halved before midday.

Apple has acknowledged the complaints have some validity but insisted the problems were temporary.

“This is normal, as your device needs time to complete the setup process in the background, including indexing data and files for search, downloading new assets, and updating apps,” Apple explained.

“Depending on individual usage, some users may notice a small impact on performance and/or battery life.”

While reports of iOS 26’s impact may be a little overblown, it’s worth being aware of the battery-draining effects of updates, especially if a flat phone could derail your day.