Why no Airpod battery life icon on iPhone 6S?

That is correct. The icon for the AirPods is a widget and can be found by swiping the screen to the right to get to the Today screen. The icon that appears for your other headphones appears that way due to the programming of those headsets and the fact they cannot display their battery level in the widget area like the AirPods. I find it convenient to see all battery status there, since it even includes my Resound hearing aid as well. So I can get my iPhone, Apple Watch, Resound hearing aid, and my individual AirPods and the case. I realize that is my opinion and you may not share it, that is your prerogative.

I forgot to mention that when I have my LG Bluetooth headset connected, it shows the headset icon and the battery icon as well.

Hi! I am unable to see the airpods case battery in the widget. I have tried with both airpods inside and outside the case. And also with and without the charging cable attached to the case. I am on iOS 11 on iPhone 6.

How can I see the charging case battery on the widget?

Hello,

Check the charge status

You can check the charge status of your AirPods with charging case with your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac.

On your iOS device

On your iPhone, open your case lid with your AirPods inside and hold your case close to your device. Wait a few seconds to see the charge status of your AirPods with charging case.

You can also check the charge status of your AirPods with charging case with the Batteries widget on your iOS device. The charge for your case appears only when at least one AirPod is in the case.

More info here:

Charge your AirPods with charging case and learn about battery life - Apple Support

Currently that's not available.

When your case is closed with both AirPods inside, Bluetooth is turned off to preserve battery.

Once the case is open or a AirPod is taken out Bluetooth is turned on. And the widget will show.

If you would like to you can submit feedback to Apple using the following link:

AirPods Feedback - Apple

As indicated earlier, since the AirPods report the charge status of the case, and each individual AirPod, the inclusion in the Widget area makes more sense, since there is more room there to provide the status of all 3 devices. It also provides information in percentages, which many people prefer rather than just a visual battery icon.

However, you are free to provide feedback to Apple here, http://www.apple.com/feedback and click on the appropriate subject area.

I so agree! I just got AirPods to replace my jaybirds and was so surprised to see no little battery icon next to the headphones like my jaybirds did. Apple should really include the battery on top for the AirPods it’s so much easier than having to find the widget.

You're welcome!

I believe Apple did it this way because there are three batteries to look at.

The AirPods case and the two AirPods.

It would be cluttered up there in the status bar haha 😁