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Upcoming smartphone: OnePlus 7T Pro McLaren Edition with 6.67” 2K screen and Android 10Apple admits: iPhone 6 started running slowly, and the battery drained quickly
Earlier this year, my mom needed a new phone. Her iPhone 6 started running slowly, and the battery drained quickly. Instead of purchasing a new phone – she couldn’t decide which to get – she had a new battery installed to buy herself some time. I thought she was crazy to not just get a new iPhone. Turns out, she was on to something.
On Dec. 20, Apple admitted its iOS software slows down the performance of older iPhones. The company says iOS does this to counteract problems found in aging lithium-ion batteries. When a battery gets older, it doesn’t hold a charge as well and can unexpectedly shut down if it’s put under too much stress. Apple’s software prevents that from happening by slowing performance.
© Article’s author: Shara Tibken.
© Source: CNET
What you get is a trade-off. Your phone isn’t as snappy as it used to be, but it also doesn’t turn itself off when the battery says it’s far from drained.
Apple’s admission caused some outrage online and raised a lot of questions. People have long believed the company hinders older devices to get customers to buy new models (something Apple has denied), and the criticism got fierce over Apple’s lack of transparency around its battery policies.
On Dec. 28, Apple apologized formally and said it would offer a low-cost battery replacement, $29 instead of the usual $79. Two days later, Apple said customers could purchase the newly discounted battery immediately, rather than having to wait until January.
Keep reading to find out how all this started and what it means for iPhone owners.
Why did this news come out?
On Dec. 18, Primate Labs, the company behind the Geekbench processor benchmarking software, released a report that examined a common complaint from users: iPhones seem to run more slowly when a new model hits the market.
John Poole, founder of Primate Labs, said in a blog post that processors in iPhones slow down and decrease in performance as batteries age and lose capacity. Poole explained that users expect their phones to perform the same regardless of how old the battery is, but his tests indicated that wasn’t the case.
One of the most popular comments on this topic:
Here’s my thoughts:
1. I don’t think Apple purposely slowed down its older phones to force an upgrade, I believe they did do it to prevent issues with older batteries. This would require a large level of shadiness that I just don’t think a company as large as Apple could control.
2. I think they are still going to lose some lawsuits for one simple fact: there has to be some people who brought their now slow phones into Apple stores, and the genius told them, “it’s because your model is older, they just can’t handle the new OS as well, so it gets slowed down. If you want better performance, you need to upgrade”. Maybe the genius didn’t know about the throttling, maybe they did. But because Apple didn’t blast it out when they added the feature to make sure people know a battery replacement could make their phones new again, people who bought $700 new phones instead of an $80 battery upgrade on advice from Apple employees have a right to feel swindled.
In any case, my iPhone 6s is going to be getting a battery update in the near future, can’t pass up that $30 offer :).
What did Apple initially say about this?
Apple said in a statement Dec. 20, after the Primate Labs report caught widespread attention:
“Our goal is to deliver the best experience for customers, which includes overall performance and prolonging the life of their devices. Lithium-ion batteries become less capable of supplying peak current demands when in cold conditions, have a low battery charge or as they age over time, which can result in the device unexpectedly shutting down to protect its electronic components.”
“Last year we released a feature for iPhone 6, iPhone 6S and iPhone SE to smooth out the instantaneous peaks only when needed to prevent the device from unexpectedly shutting down during these conditions. We’ve now extended that feature to iPhone 7 with iOS 11.2, and plan to add support for other products in the future.”
What is Apple’s latest statement?
On Dec. 28, Apple published a letter on its website that apologized to consumers and sought to explain its actions. It said, in part: “We know that some of you feel Apple has let you down. We apologize.” It said that it has never done anything to shorten the life of Apple products. “Our goal has always been to create products that our customers love, and making iPhones last as long as possible is an important part of that.”
It added: “At Apple, our customers’ trust means everything to us. We will never stop working to earn and maintain it. We are able to do the work we love only because of your faith and support – and we will never forget that or take it for granted.”
Along with the apology letter, Apple also published a new informative site with details about how its battery and slowdown software works.
One of the most popular comments on this topic:
This just adds to the plan to make sure users will want new phones. Some tech writers have said all phone mfg’s know users will download lots of junk, etc., that users can’t get rid of even if they try, and it all contributes to slowing down the phone’s performance. It’s planned that way. Phones don’t have efficient un-installers, and even CCleaner for Android tells you it can’t delete certain junk. You can’t control auto-starting or prevent much that runs in the background. It’s all part of the master plan. Experienced computer users should know all this.
Myself, I don’t use my Galaxy S7 for much besides a phone and messaging. Some internet use, but I don’t even access my Facebook page on it. It’s still running great!
Why does Apple use lithium-ion batteries?
Lithium-ion batteries are far from perfect. (Just look at Samsung and its Note 7 issues from 2016.) They’re volatile, they deteriorate relatively quickly, and they haven’t changed that much over the years. A few years ago, an advanced battery startup in California, Envia Systems, did some research and found that it took more than a decade, from 1995 to 2007, to double the energy stored in a battery – and since then the rise in stored energy hasn’t even managed to hit 30%.
Still, lithium-ion batteries are better than the current tech alternatives. They weigh less, last longer and charge more efficiently than older battery types, according to Apple’s battery information guide. The lithium-ion batteries used in Apple’s devices are designed to hold at least 80% of their original capacity for 500 complete charge cycles. For more about batteries, check out this article from CNET Magazine.
What happens to iPhone batteries when they get older?
As batteries age, they don’t hold their charges as well as newer batteries, and they can have worse problems when the charge is low or the temperature is cold. Your battery won’t charge above 80% after about 500 cycles, which means it won’t last as long each time you charge it.
If your battery is old or really cold, it could unexpectedly shut down, as happened to the iPhone 6 and 6S last year. The processors in those devices wanted to hit faster speeds (something Apple calls “peak current demands”) but their batteries couldn’t handle the surge from the requests, prompting some phones to simply switch themselves off.
One of the most popular comments on this topic:
The real scandal is (and always has been) that iPhone batteries are not user-replaceable. I have always felt that this is by design in almost all Apple products over the last several decades to “encourage” upgrades via planned/imposed obsolescence as users tire of diminishing battery performance after 18 months or so, or the 500-cycles that a typical battery is good for.
In recent years, I’ve become increasingly dismayed as other vendors have taken the non-replaceable route, such as Samsung on the last couple generations of Galaxy phones. That came back to bite them hard with the Note 7 fiasco, where they basically had to dump literally millions of phones in a landfill somewhere because that was cheaper than replacing the batteries.
Had the Note 7 battery been user-replaceable like they used to be, they could have simply sent out replacement batteries and that would have been the end of it. But no, instead we’re just throwing out millions of perfectly good electronics years before necessary because the batteries have died long before the rest of the device.
Is this the first time Apple has tweaked its software to boost battery life?
Nope. Apple has long focused on power management to make sure you get as much life as possible from your devices.
The company introduced “Low Power Mode” with 2015’s iOS 9 to make your iPhone battery last longer. When your battery level hits 20% and then 10%, you get a notification that lets you turn on Low Power Mode with a quick tap. It reduces the screen’s brightness, minimizes system animations and limits what runs in the background on the phone. When your device reaches a higher charge level, Low Power Mode automatically turns itself off.
Apple also has long included power-saving features in its Macs. For instance, Mac OS X Mavericks, released in late 2013, looked for moments when computer users had several programs open that they weren’t accessing. The Mac then strategically reduced the processing put toward running programs in the background. For more on how to save battery life with iOS 11, check out this report.
How does Apple’s slowing feature work?
Apple’s iOS software, starting with last year’s iOS 10.2.1, incorporated better power management capabilities to deal with aging batteries, the company says. The operating system slows down your device to prevent it from shutting down, according to the company, but only in cases of cold temperature, a low battery charge or very old batteries.
To help manage power consumption, your processor won’t complete an intensive task immediately, but will instead spread the effort out over more attempts. What you experience is a phone that seems to lag a bit; apps run more slowly and the device doesn’t respond as quickly to your requests.
One of the most popular comments on this topic:
My battery replacement appointment was easy to make through the Apple support page, but wound up being a BIG disappointment. Of the repair sites offered, I chose a nearby Macintosh store. When I arrived after a half-hour drive, the owner told me the battery replacement would take up to 1 1/2 hours (“Oh, really?”) and cost $40 in addition to the $29 for the new battery (“Seriously?”).
“We don’t work for free,” he explained.
“Well,” I said, “it sure would be nice if you let people know these things before they drive all the way here.”
“Another fellow told me that today, too,” he said. (So much for that hour of life I’ll never get back.)
I’ve scheduled another appointment at an Apple store where there is, presumably, no installation charge.
When does the feature start working?
The feature is used only in iPhones with aged batteries or low battery charges. It also slows down your phone in cases of cold temperatures. The iPhone operates best in ambient temperatures between 32 degrees to 92 degrees Fahrenheit.
What slows down on the phone?
Apple said on a new support site Dec. 28 that you may see the following:
- Longer app launch times
- Lower frame rates while scrolling
- Backlight dimming (which can be overridden in Control Center)
- Lower speaker volume by up to -3dB
- Gradual frame rate reductions in some apps
- During the most extreme cases, the camera flash will be disabled as visible in the camera UI
- Apps refreshing in background may require reloading upon launch
What is not impacted by the software:
- Cellular call quality and networking throughput performance
- Captured photo and video quality
- GPS performance
- Location accuracy
- Sensors like gyroscope, accelerometer, barometer
- Apple Pay
What phones does the software apply to?
Apple’s software from last year, iOS 10.2.1, applied to the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, the 6S and 6S Plus and the SE. This year’s iOS 11.2 extended the feature to the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. It will be applied to other Apple devices in the future.
Does this also affect iPads and Macs?
Because iPads and Macs have bigger batteries, the feature isn’t aimed at those devices.
One of the most popular comments on this topic:
I wonder what else Apple knows that they’re not telling us. Are there other reliability / safety / other issues for which they have data that’s being intentionally withheld? Like could they have internal test data showing that phone usage could be dangerous (EM issues, repetitive motion issues, etc) but are withholding that info the way tobacco companies withheld information?
How about swapping out my iPhone battery?
Apple has long faced criticism about how difficult it is to replace iPhone batteries. Many older Android phones had removable backs that allowed users to swap out their batteries (though using new materials like metals has caused some companies, like Samsung, to stop offering that sort of phone design).
If you have an iPhone, you might have noticed there’s no removable back. That was a design Apple chose so it could cram more batteries into a smaller space. That gives you more battery life but also makes it harder to change your battery.
An iFixit guide to replacing the iPhone 6 battery has 25 steps. The screws to take the device apart are tiny, and making a mistake can cause you to brick the phone.
How much does it cost to get a new battery?
Apple typically charges $79 to replace the battery of an iPhone that’s no longer covered by a warranty. Companies sell do-it-yourself kits online, and you can go to an authorized Apple reseller or repair company.
On Dec. 28, Apple issued an apology for the issues it stirred up – and offered a $29 battery replacement that, it promised, will immediately return an iPhone 6 or later phone to its original performance. The new batteries will be available in January and through 2018.
Here’s a great primer on your options for replacing your iPhone battery.
One of the most popular comments on this topic:
My Apple iPad 2 is my biggest complaint in a similar situation – I cannot afford to update the Apple iOS as it retards the iPad 2. If you update the OS, you CAN’T go back. I can run many things fine and quick with the older OS, but I can’t update apps without an OS update. I read horror stories of how slow the iPad 2 will run if you update the iOS. Is this “planned obsolescence” by Apple? Cripple the iPad 2 by slowing it down to a crawl when you update the software to where it is such a pain that you’re forced to buy a newer iPad, or, skip Apple and go to an Android tablet for 1/4 the cost of an Apple iPad? Suggestions anyone? Update the OS on the iPad 2 and run slow and crippled, or leave version 6.whatever? What to do?
What happens if you put a new battery in your old phone?
If you opt to replace your iPhone battery, the feature that slows down the phone will automatically turn off. It will be almost like you have a new phone – at least when it comes to the battery and the performance-limiting software. It starts slowing your phone only when the battery gets old or really cold.
What if I buy a new iPhone 6S? Will it be slower right away?
No, the feature kicks in only when your battery gets old or if the phone is exposed to extreme cold.
Why does my phone seem to slow down when I upgrade to new software?
Whenever Apple introduces new iOS versions, users of older iPhones inevitably complain that their devices aren’t as snappy. That’s not because of planned obsolescence – the notion that Apple purposely hobbles old devices to get people to upgrade. Instead, it could be because your storage is too full or because your Wi-Fi router is slowing down the device, among other possible explanations.
One of the most popular comments on this topic:
For many phones, companies make a single run of batteries and then warehouse the extras for spares. Since it’s the chemical reaction that eventually goes bad, the “new” replacement batteries don’t last as long since they’ve already spent some of their lives just sitting around dying. I had that happen on my old phone before I got an iPhone 6. Will Apple replace ours with actual new batteries or warehoused ones left over from two years ago when the 6 and 6S came out? Glad I haven’t opted for iOS 11 yet!
Is Apple doing this to get me to buy a new phone?
Apple says no, its software feature is meant to do the opposite: help you prolong the life of your device. Still, the company didn’t exactly advertise that all you may need to do to have a faster phone is change the battery. And that’s causing an outcry.
Apple on Dec. 28 reiterated that it doesn’t do anything to force you to upgrade: “First and foremost, we have never – and would never – do anything to intentionally shorten the life of any Apple product, or degrade the user experience to drive customer upgrades. Our goal has always been to create products that our customers love, and making iPhones last as long as possible is an important part of that.”
Are consumers suing Apple for the slowdown?
Yes, the situation is drawing legal fire. Multiple lawsuits against Apple allege the software tweak that slows some older iPhones is a fraud designed to spur upgrades to the latest model.
What happens down the road?
Along with offering cheaper battery replacements, Apple said on Dec. 28 that it will issue an iOS software update early in 2018 with features “that give users more visibility into the health of their iPhone’s battery, so they can see for themselves if its condition is affecting performance.”
So it looks like Apple aims to be more transparent about iPhone performance issues.
One of the most popular comments on this topic:
I don’t trust Apple for a long time, they are too greedy for my taste. Everything they make is expensive is a pain to fix when they go bad – and prices here in Brazil are way too high. This programmed low-performance after batteries start to lose performance without the owner’s knowledge (if you don’t know, you’ll end buying a new one and this is what Apple want) is just one more drop to the ocean. Would love to see other industries’ phones passing thru tests so see if they too do this same thing.
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