Recently released, the macOS 10.12.2 update is reportedly improving the battery life of new MacBook Pro units, but Apple didn't mention that in the changelog.
Whether or not that was done on purpose remains unclear.
The User Reports
According to MacRumor's forum members, macOS 10.12.2 lets them get between nine and 10 hours or even more than that with regular usage, which is what Apple promised that the new MacBook Pro can deliver — up to 10 hours of wireless web surfing and iTunes movie playback and up to 30 days of standby time for both 13- and 15-inch variants, Touch Bar or no.
Also, they say that the batteries are now discharging at less than four watts. Before the update, they couldn't go lower than six.
"Ok it is official. macOS Sierra 10.12.2 fixed my battery. I am up back to 9-10 hours of regular use. Before updating, idle power consumption was not going lower than 6 watts. On macOS Sierra 10.12.2, it is now <4 watts at 60% brightness with the ambient light sensor on," lobo1978 says.
Another user is also singing a similar tune.
"Before the update was getting 7-9 hours with 50-60% brightness. Now getting >10 hours with 70-75% brightness with the same workload (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on of course)," JohnnyGo says.
What macOS 10.12.2 Was Said To Bring
The macOS 10.12.2 update was designed to address a graphics issue found on new MacBook Pro models, and as expected, it came in with the usual stability improvements too.
Aside from the reported battery improvement, Apple also didn't mention that it did away with the "time remaining" battery estimate.
Apple's Quiet Fix
As Joe Rossignol of MacRumors points out, it's still unclear whether or not Apple really did roll out battery life improvements via macOS 10.12.2, but if the Cupertino brand did indeed do it, then not mentioning the optimization in the changelog may be its way to steer clear of admitting there were any issues to begin with.
Sweeping the dust under the rug, so to speak.
The Bottom Line
Regardless of Apple staying mum on the battery life fix in macOS 10.12.2, these user reports are good news to other new MacBook Pro owners everywhere.
Put simply, the biggest takeaway here is that improvements are coming to the laptop with an underperforming battery.
Did you notice similar changes on your day-to-day use of your new MacBook Pro? If so, feel free to drop by our comment section below and let us know.
