Apple’s been in trouble in the past when it comes to batteries in their tech. Older model iPhones have seen their speeds and battery capacities limited by software updates since 2016, a function that Apple said was to avoid devices shutting down when they get older. But… Apple didn’t give anybody a choice concerning those updates, leading to the company having to replace batteries for some models of iPhone — free-of-charge for some users and at a cost for others (who no longer had a valid warrantee).
Expect more of the same coming for now-aging iPhones, with the iPhone 8, the iPhone 8 Plus and even the iPhone X getting a “…different performance management system that more precisely allows iOS to anticipate and avoid an unexpected shutdown.” Basically, Apple will be limiting battery capacities for devices as they age, even for last year’s phones. According to the iOS 12.1 patch notes:
Additionally, users can see if the performance management feature that dynamically manages maximum performance to prevent unexpected shutdowns is on and can choose to turn it off … This feature applies to iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus. Starting with iOS 12.1, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X include this feature, but performance management may be less noticeable due to their more advanced hardware and software design.
The good thing is that you don’t have to put up with it if you don’t want to. With the addition of throttling for Apple’s newest old phones, the company’s also adding the option to turn that feature off. Then, if your battery drops dead of age or exhaustion, it’s on your head. But at least your iPhone won’t slow down — though the company seems confident that you won’t notice much lag from 2017’s phones, throttling or not.
To turn the ‘feature’ off, you’ll need to head to Settings, Battery, and then over to Battery Health. This normally shows just what it says on the tin: The health of your iPhone battery. If you’ve experienced a so-called unexpected shutdown, your phone’s battery recharging will be throttled. This is where you’ll find the option to turn that throttling off. If you don’t see the option, you have not experienced the shutdown needed to trigger performance management.
The only other option? Battery replacement, which could be the preferred choice when Apple’s newest phones will cost you anywhere from R16,000 to R32,000. Next to that, a new battery doesn’t seem that onerous.
Source: Wired