Apple is now going to let iPhone users know when an iOS update is going to slow down their devices.
Though it has agreed to do so, the Cupertino brand isn't exactly doing this out of the goodness of its heart. Rather, it's required by law.
iPhone Performance Pledge
The Competition and Markets Authority in the United Kingdom announces that Apple has now committed to becoming more transparent when it comes to iOS updates and their effects in performance in iPhones.
As part of the agreement, the company now has to make it clear to users when a software update could slow down their phones or, as the government department puts it, "materially change the impact of performance management on their phones."
In addition, Apple is now going to make info about battery health information and unexpected shutdowns more accessible. It'll also guide iPhone users on how to maximize the health of the batteries of their handsets if they can no longer do so.
iPhone Throttling Issue
Back in 2017, Apple was in hot water when it was discovered that it was throttling older iPhones to prioritize battery life over raw performance. It eventually admitted to doing it, said its apologies, and rolled out features to resolve the problem. However, the damage has been done, and it faced lawsuits left and right, one of which sought nearly $1 trillion in damages.
With the new agreement, it now has to be more open to its users.
Why Is It Important For Users To Know?
When the throttling issue wasn't confirmed yet, iPhone users tended to send in their devices for repairs or replacements, while others upgraded to newer models. Any route they went with, it costed them money, of course, and it was all under the assumption that they were dealing with a defect or something along those lines since Apple didn't say they were intentionally slowing down their handsets, after all.
There are ways to know whether an iPhone is being throttled or not, but confirming it isn't really as easy as 1-2-3. At any rate, the company will now be more transparent moving forward, giving users the choice to install an update and take a hit in performance, or ignore an update and make do with an older version of the software and, maybe, miss out on new features.
