2016 macbook pro 15" with touch bar poor battery life

My 13" has the same problem!

Hi! I also got my new Macbook Pro 15" 2016 yesterday after I returned the last one for a full refund because it was freezing. After using it for a day, i must say the battery life is really disappointing. I'm just downloading WoW from the Battle.net client and have safari open with 3 tabs, and this is what i get.

I believe I have a pretty good idea of what might be causing the insane battery drain some users (including myself) have been experiencing with the 2016 MacBook Pro.

Here's my theory:

If the dGPU kicks on at any point, it silently runs in the background and doesn't switch back appropriately, even though the OS reports the integrated GPU as being in use. This is solved if you put the computer to sleep for a few seconds, then wake it up (assuming no dGPU apps are open).

Steps to reproduce:

While running on battery and iGPU, open a dGPU app (I use Photoshop). Wait a few minutes. Close dGPU app. OS reports GPU in use as the iGPU now (in Activity monitor) and energy usage reports look normal. However, computer temperature will be running higher than normal (~55°c instead of ~30°c ) and battery will rocket down. Leave for an hour and observe battery state - you'll notice your battery has drained significantly (for me, around 30%). Now put the computer to sleep, wait 10 seconds, then wake up again. Temperature will begin to drop significantly and quickly - the iGPU is now actually being used. Leave for an hour again, and observe how the battery no longer drains anywhere near as quickly.

So, the solution for now (at least in my case) is to make sure to put the laptop to sleep for a few seconds after switching back from the dGPU.

I believe the inconsistent user reports are simply due to some users never actually triggering the dGPU (or having models that don't have a dGPU), vs others that do trigger it in their tests and hit the bug.

Perhaps some more people can test this to corroborate? 🙂

I am having the very same issue. 98% battery life and says I have 3:02 hours of battery life. It's been that way since I ordered it from Apple.com, Terrible issue when it can't even last half the time advertised by Apple. Purchased the 13" fully loaded with RAM and 1TB SSD. Basically a brick that last 3 hours. Not really doing anything processor heavy. Just browsing.

How do you explain this scenario if you shut the computer down, restart it with a full battery charge, haven't started an app but still shows 3 hours of batter life?

While this seems as if it may be the case, this isn't the cause, or at least this isn't the only cause. Many, including myself, are having issues with the 13" MacBook Pros with touch bar. The 13" versions simply don't have a dedicated GPU. I'm on my second device and haven't been able to get more than 5 hours of battery life.

I totally agree with you.

Meanwhile, I have done SMC reset and waiting for the Mac to be fully charged. As soon as is 100% I will report here if reset has helped!

In the end, I hope it's only a software problem

Take it back to an Apple Store, ask them.

The people from Customer support told me that my MacBook Pro 13" (TouchBar model) does not have any problem. Still battery life is insanely less than expected. Is it false advertising, then?

I have the same problem too. Without running any applications (other than those running in the background like drop box, etc) when I go to activity monitor it tells me I have 2hours and 20 minutes on a 98% charge. In addition the aluminium cover, just below the screen and above the soft bar, gets extremely hot. Its been like that from the first day I received the computer. Apple has deleted my post and I am reposting again. Apple why don't you address the issue instead of deleting posts and hiding problems?

Take it back.

Yes, there are two candidate theories. One is that the discrete GPU is being kicked in. I found that one web page can turn on the GPU and it is hard to know which page will do that. GPU can cut the battery life in half.

The other possibility is a physical defect. i took my machine to the Apple Genius Bar. They ran diagnostics on the machine and found a voltage problem. Defective machine. I returned it.

Anyone having even a hint of a problem should schedule an appointment to have Apple run diagnostics at the store. It is free and takes just a few minutes. I recommend don't even complain online until you have had Apple run diagnostics and you find out whether there is a physical defect.

That's a nice piece of detective-work, Ultima.

For those playing along at home, you can use the "About this Mac" dialog from the Apple menu to find out which graphics card the computer thinks it's using. Both "Overview" and "Displays" list it.

If I start up my Mac and do nothing graphical it lists the "Intel" hardware.

If I start up "Photos" it lists the "Radeon" driver and then the "Intel" hardware.

Please note that you must close the dialog and open it again for it to change which hardware it lists. It doesn't update the dialog when the details change.

Does anyone know if this gets fixed in the Beta? I've already replaced the first one i got, I hope that this is not the case with the second i received. Hopefully it's a software problem

SWEET! I'll have to try this if my macbook has the battery issue. Thanks for the Link