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Apple should've been more upfront about throttling iPhones with weaker batteries (poll results)

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By Daniel Petrov

Published: Dec 22, 2017, 5:27 AM

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Do you think Apple should've been more upfront about throttling iPhones with weaker batteries?

Yes, users should have known

91.19%

No, it's not a dealbreaker

8.81%

2089 Votes

After Apple acknowledged that iPhones with aged or weaker for whatever other reason batteries will take a hit in peak performance, we asked you if Apple could have given the explanation beforehand, along with the introduction of the processor throttling feature in iOS 10.2.1. The vast majority of our 2089 respondents replied in the affirmative, stating that the company should have warned users with iPhones two years and older that their devices might become slower due to processor throttling, unless they visit a service center to swap the battery. Word to the wise for next time, Apple, the ambulance chasers are already circling the wagons.

Today's lithium batteries are rated for a certain amount of charge cycles before they start degrading in terms of capacity or ability to provide peak current. On the other hand, chipsets and other hardware are becoming ever more powerful and demanding, resulting in going over the fence when trying to extract stronger current from a weaker battery. This could result in phones employing shutdown procedures to safeguard the electronics in certain extreme scenario, so last year Apple smoothed out the peak battery demands by dispersing them over several quick cycles with the iOS 10.2.1 update.

Apparently that meant throttling the processor's power, and resulted in 80% fewer iPhone 6 shutdowns, Apple reported at the time. It, however, kept this power management system in the next iOS updates, too, so once the battery in your iPhone 7 ages enough, it will likely become a bit slower and less responsive unless you crack it open and change the power bank with a brand new one.

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Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena from 2010 to 2025, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.