iPhones, like us all, slow down over time.
We always suspected it, but little did we know that Apple would only go and release a statement confirming the fact that they deliberately slow down our devices during updates.
The official statement reads:
”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.”
Well, that’s massively disappointing.
However, for those of you keen to get the most out of your phone as possible, in lieu of getting a new one – there are some things you can do.
The first one is to stop charging your phone overnight. Turns out that your phone battery begins depreciating from the very first charge. Meaning that the best your battery will ever be is when you first buy the phone, brand new.
Phones generally don’t need eight hours to charge, meaning that charging your phone overnight may actually lead to your phone becoming over-dependent on the charger – leaving you with an unreliable battery. Not to mention a fire hazard.
The second tip is to replace the iPhone’s battery. If your phone needs to be charged several times a day just to say usable, then this might be a viable option. You may want to read back over your warranty, to check if it deems in null and void – but at about £35, it’s a much cheaper option than purchasing a new phone.
Finally, forgo the iPhone altogether. If battery life is the root of all of your stress, might be best to opt in for a cheaper phone with a better longevity. Deliberately declining batteries can and will break your heart.
Remember the days when a Nokia 3310 would only need charging once a week?
Bliss.