iOS 12.1 Extends Controversial Processor Throttling Feature To the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X (mashable.com) 101
With iOS 12.1, Apple introduced a bunch of new features like Group FaceTime and dozens of new emoji. But the company also elected to add a controversial new performance management feature to the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X. From a report: For the uninitiated, back in December 2017, Apple confirmed that it would sometimes slow down older iPhones through a software update in order to prevent unexpected shutdowns. The result was that certain models -- iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, 7, and 7 Plus -- would often perform poorly after being updated to the newest version of iOS. Users had long suspected Apple was throttling older iPhones, but it wasn't until Geekbench published an expose that the company publicly admitted it was, indeed, slowing down older iPhones -- albeit, for a good reason. Apple said in its explanation of the throttling issue that its goal was "to deliver the best experience for customers" and essentially argued the practice of throttling was a feature -- not a bug as it had been reported. Apple's solution was to give iPhone owners some extra control over the feature and offer a reduced cost for battery replacements.
It's optional now. (Score:4, Informative)
Don't like it? Turn it off. If your battery is old and has trouble providing current, Apple gives you the choice between throttling or unexpected shutdowns. I'm not sure what more people could want them to do on this subject.
Re:It's optional now. (Score:5, Interesting)
Why is this "feature" only included after they release the next model? A battery can't degrade before that, even if charged/discharged 10 times per day?
Re:It's optional now. (Score:5, Informative)
Because prior to the next model release, every device from the previous generation is under warranty, give or take a couple of weeks, so battery replacements would be free.
During the warranty period, if a device exhibits sudden shutdowns, it is better for the customer if that device prematurely shuts down repeatedly, because that encourages the customer to get his or her battery replaced rather than continue to suffer from a bad battery that could have been fixed for free.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3)
Important work? On an iPhone?
Ignoring that skepticism, this is the difference between the phone dying at 0% and maybe surprising you by shutting down at a few percent instead of at zero. If you're doing something that is critical to finish, you shouldn't be doing it on a nearly empty battery.
Re: (Score:2)
Well, yes and no. I've been dealing with it on my iPhone 6s ever since iOS 9 was released. It usually happens at 10% or lower. Every now and then, it will fail at fifteen percent or so. I make it a point never to let it get below 50%.
Yes, in colder temperatures, batteries produce less power, so it could happen at a higher level of charge, but I'd be shocked if it happened on a battery that was more than half full, even at crazy low temperatures.
Re: (Score:1)
Why is this "feature" only included after they release the next model? A battery can't degrade before that, even if charged/discharged 10 times per day?
Pretty much not.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
still, if the feature works as they says it does, it should be enabled from day one. Their algorithm is allegedly good enough to detect a "used" battery and reduce CPU speed only if the battery is used. Isn't it?
Why does it always need to come from an OS update a year later? Why are they even maintaining a device white list which can "benefit" from this "feature"? It should be enabled for all devices and without requiring an update.
Re: (Score:2)
That's a fair point... and one that could rightfully be asked to Apple.
Re: (Score:1, Troll)
Re: (Score:1)
Still on that horse.
Are you also annoyed that systems no longer have floppy disks drives?
Perhaps the parallel port, I personally kinda missed that one. Granted I don't have any devices that need it, but it was nice.
There was a massive quality increase in batteries about 10 years ago. You are probably still spending less to have a certified vendor replace your battery over the lifetime of your device then having user replaceable of the old types.
Re: (Score:1, Troll)
Re:It's optional now. (Score:4, Insightful)
I know I would like the ability to remove the battery and have a completely shut off device. Or if I go camping to have a spare battery or two versus have power cells which I have to have a cord for etc etc.
Re: (Score:1)
I know I would like the ability to remove the battery and have a completely shut off device. Or if I go camping to have a spare battery or two versus have power cells which I have to have a cord for etc etc.
Devil's advocate: USB battery packs can be used to recharge more types of devices (GPS, lights, etc), whereas a spare battery is a one-trick pony.
* https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-portable-solar-battery-pack/
* https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-usb-battery-packs/
* https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-usb-c-battery-packs-and-power-banks/
Re: (Score:2)
I made some better ones for you.
Are you also annoyed that systems no longer have replaceable RAM?
Perhaps the replaceable hard drive, I personally missed that one. Granted I don't have any devices that need it, but it was nice.
There are economic reasons for not having user-replaceable batteries, but equating them with obsolete technology just makes you stupid. Don't be stupid. You're not stupid.
Re: (Score:1)
This would require them to make the devices 1mm thicker, are you mad!?
Re: (Score:1)
USER REPLACEABLE BATTERY
Why? Apple replaces the battery in reasonably current I-Devices for very little coin. Just hit up the Apple Store and they will set you up.
Where I like the user replaceable battery option, let's face it, Apple isn't going to give you that. In fact, the market is moving away from that as you look at currently available handsets...
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
But do the older iOS versions for the older devices even have this feature?
Anything old enough to be incompatible with iOS 12 would never have had the "throttling" feature, anyway.
Re: (Score:1)
Problem is, if you have an older device that they don't support the newer OSes on, you don't get the ability to turn the feature off.
Since they support devices back to the iPhone 5s with iOS 12, that isn't really an issue.
Transparency (Score:4, Insightful)
I'm not sure what more people could want them to do on this subject.
What people want is for Apple to be up front and transparent about this sort of "feature". Apple basically hid the fact they were doing this from everyone despite strong suspicions that something like it was happening. This makes it look (true or not) like Apple was up to something shady and/or coersive. Their explanation of trying to save the battery isn't implausible but by hiding the fact they were doing it it looks strongly like they were degrading performance to force upgrade sales. Had Apple been transparent about it from day one it would have been a non-issue.
Re: (Score:3)
Re: (Score:2)
In Apple's case, the issue started happening, as you mentioned, with the iPhone 6 at about the same time that Apple started r
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
personally - I'd like them to offer a phone that is maybe a few mills thicker but has swap-able batteries. That's just me though apparently.
Re: (Score:3)
Make a case interface (Score:3)
personally - I'd like them to offer a phone that is maybe a few mills thicker but has swap-able batteries.
It's not just you but I think there is a better option because some people like the thinner phones and that's just as valid a viewpoint. What I think they should do is make an interface that you can attach a battery case (or other equipment) so that people who want a bigger battery can have it without the bulky kludge of doing a pass through off the lightning/usb port. Think about it for a second. Virtually everyone puts their phone in a case anyway. Why not make it easy for the case to be the mechanism
Why would you want that? (Score:1)
personally - I'd like them to offer a phone that is maybe a few mills thicker but has swap-able batteries.
I don't see the need - iPhone batteries have really good charging well past two years, and after that it's an hour or two at the Apple Store to swap.
Giving up anything (lightness/thickness) to avoid something so inconsequential makes no sense to me, especially since any time you open a battery compartment you have a great chance to degrade any kind of waterproof sealing by getting dust or hair in the se
Re: (Score:2)
Some people want that, some people don't. There are compromises in either case: a removable battery adds to the volume and weight, and probably makes hitting ip68 a heck of a lot harder (probably a large increase in bulk if you want both a removable battery and ip68). Personally, even having owned some smartphones for up to four years, I've never worn out a battery. For me, personally, I wouldn't get any value out of a removable battery, so I'd rather not make those sacrifices. It's good for people to have
Re: (Score:2)
" I'm not sure what more people could want them to do on this subject"
Not hide it for years until it was discovered independently, then actually admit that it was about getting people to nuy new phones, not some smoke-and-mirrors story about battery life?
If Apple gave a fuck about battey life, they would. let. you. replace. it.
Um, it wasn't actually "hidden"; just inadequately explained. And it wasn't for YEARS.
Re: (Score:1)
Bullshit Liar!
Prove it, ANONYMOUS ... COWARD, or STFU and FOAD!!!
Re: (Score:2)
"I'm not sure what more people could want them to do on this subject."
It seems like the loudest people expect to get a pony.
Re: (Score:2)
Why don't they just give you the option of NOT upgrading to the newest version of the OS that was designed to run on *slightly* newer hardware, and NOT throttle your damn phone?!? Forced obsolescence is anti-consumer. Instead of installing completely new versions of the OS on older hardware that CLEARLY can't handle it, they should EOL the slightly older version and just do security updates for 3 years, like other OS manufacturers. Why people put up with this behavior is beyond me. YOU own your device, NOT
Re: (Score:3)
Re: (Score:2)
The FUD is strong this week. Is Apple stock up or something?
Re: (Score:2)
Or buy a properly designed phone that can run at full speed through the battery's entire lifespan.
The amount of current that the battery can deliver depends on various factors, such as the size of the cathodes. If you select the right battery it will be able to power the phone even when near the end of its life. That usually requires making the phone 0.2mm thicker, so it's a design choice.
Re: (Score:2)
Like the 10 XR, XS and XS Max? Whoops, that didn't happen.
Apple's algorithm was stupid and their UI was uninformative. That's why it was controversial - nobody wants their phone shutting off unexpectedly.
Re: (Score:2, Insightful)
Which bullshit? That running a degraded battery at full performance can cause an unexpected shutdown?
Do you have some objective evidence to back up the notion that this is made up, or are you assuming that because they weren't up front about it right away, that this must necessarily be a lie?
Do you similarly believe it is impossible for a person who may have been caught in a lie to later tell the truth? There may be cause to doubt what they say, but there is no objectively valid reason to conclude th
Re: (Score:1)
Show me all the Android phones that need to degrade performance when they're a year old or they'll spontaneously reboot.
Go ahead. Show me.
This is an Apple-only issue, and a BS one at that. Batteries don't magically become incapable of powering a phone just because they're old. Their maximum capacity lessens, but that's about it.
This is a made-up issue that Apple invented to provide an excuse for why they intentionally slow older phones to force people to upgrade them.
Re: (Score:2)
It's fine to be critical of them for not being transparent about it in the first place, but if they were actually doing this, then slowdown wouldn't generally be tied to the degradation of the battery, but to the device itself.
Take an older device that has not been used much, and compare it to a newer device that you artificially wear down the battery performance to the same levels through many charge and discharge cycles, and differences in processing speed notwithstanding, you should find virtually ide
Re:Got to give it to apple (Score:4, Informative)
I've had an iPhone for work, and an Android for personal use since the iPhone 3G, and the HTC G1 (the original).
So I'm really not a "fan" of either. I use both regularly.
The random shutdowns on my previous iPhone (6s) were very real, and pretty obviously related to some kind of poor battery handling on the iPhone's part. It randomly shut down at as high as 50% all the time if you did something that you'd imagine was CPU intensive, refused to turn back on until you plug it in, let it charge for 20 seconds, and boom. Starts right up with 60%.
I can also attest though, that no Android I've owned has ever done this.
That *also* being said, my Samsung laptop definitely did this when its battery got really bad.
I do believe they do this to handle their battery issue. I also however believe that it's a problem they've made themselves by either poor battery power statistics (not reporting that battery health at being like 5% when it should be), or poor quality batteries.
Re: (Score:2)
Happened to my friends LG G4. When the battery only last half a day and the phone starts spontaneously rebooting with an increasing frequency it's time for a new battery yet again.
I've also seen it happen with an Acer laptop.
When the battery is old a high power drain can cause sudden failure, it's simply how these batteries work.
Re: (Score:2)
Do you have proof for the accusation they are lying that doesn't presuppose that the fact that however much they may want sales is actually a sufficient incentive for them to do so in regards to this, particularly when the claim is not only feasible, but also verifiable?
If they were making an unverifiable statement, it might be fair to doubt it, especially given that they weren't up front about it originally, but that's not the case here.
What I don't like about this feature (Score:1)
Re:What I don't like about this feature (Score:4, Insightful)
The battery in modern smartphones isn't soldered in. Not on iPhones, or Android or anything else. Glued maybe, but that's to save size and money, not to prevent people from being able to replace the battery. That's not at all iPhone specific though; every modern Android phone is in the same boat. Neither Samsung, Google, nor any others seem to offer user-replaceable batteries.
The market has spoken. People prefer thin light phones with bigger batteries over fat heavy ones with short battery lives that they can replace themselves.
Re: (Score:2)
The market has spoken. People prefer thin light phones with bigger batteries over fat heavy ones with short battery lives that they can replace themselves.
What makes you think that the market has spoken? Perhaps it is spy agencies that have spoken and they want a battery to always be there so they can signal the microphone or camera to turn on even when the phone is explicitly off?
For myself, I know of NOBODY who has asked for, or wanted, unremovable batteries.
Re: (Score:2)
I'm happy they helped kill the floppy drive and made USB more ubiquitous.
For a good reason (Score:2)
Albeit for a good reason.
Sure, sure. Inflating I-phone sales is a good reason. According to Apple.
I want the slowdown feature on my Android phone! (Score:2)
Would really appreciate a sligtly slower phone for better reliability.