If you have an older iPhone and think that it seems to be running a bit sluggish, you're not crazy.
Apple has admitted that the company does intentionally slow old phones — the iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone SE and iPhone 7 with iOS 11.2.
So it's true Apple intentionally slow down old iPhones. Proof: My iPhone 6 was bought 3years ago and recently got really slow. APP 'CPU DasherX' shows iPhone CPU is under clocked running at 600MHz. After a iPhone battery replacement. CPU speed resumed to factory setting 1400MHz. pic.twitter.com/pML3y0Jkp2
— Sam_Si (@sam_siruomu) December 20, 2017
However, the company says it is actually because of the old batteries. Apple says that the updates in iOS intentionally reduce speed in older phones in order to preserve the life of batteries as they degrade. By doing so, the company says they are preventing random shutdowns.
Apple said in a statement to The Verge:
"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."
According to tech experts, replacing your older iPhone battery could be the simple solution and much cheaper option than buying a new iPhone. That way the new battery would be able to speed up your old iPhone. Apple charges $79 to replace the battery of an iPhone that's no longer covered by a warranty.
Mary Stringini is a Digital Reporter for ABC Action News. Follow her on Twitter @MaryWFTS.
