Apple admits to slowing down older iPhones to help creaking batteries
Apple has explained that older iPhones slow down as its algorithms throttle performance so that ageing batteries are able to keep up with power requirements.
Apple Inc.
$169.30
13:09 26/04/24
Dow Jones I.A.
38,239.66
04:30 15/10/20
Nasdaq 100
17,718.30
12:15 26/04/24
The US technology behemoth came out publicly after being criticised for slowing iPhones on purpose so people would buy the newer models.
“Our goal is to deliver the best experience for customers, which includes overall performance and prolonging the life of their devices," Apple explained overnight.
"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."
A year ago, the company's repair program was launched after many iPhone 6 phones were powering down of their own accord.
The California-headquartered company in January introduced a feature in the iPhone 6 and newer models that would smooth out instantaneous peaks only when needed to prevent the device from unexpectedly shutting down during these conditions.
This means that when the phone's processor is making a big draw from the battery, the older battery could deliver spikes that could damage the phone and so it automatically shuts down to protect the processor.
Although Apple has explained the reasons why the battery slows down and it is now known that replacing a battery will restore factory settings, it still isn’t giving any cheap options to replace it, so the backlash continues.
This battery replacement problem has even moved some customers to call for laws to ensure they have a right to repair their own gadgets.
Apple's public explanations came as the company is expected to benefit from Donald Trump's tax reforms that were voted through, which should allow it repatriate its enormous $252.3bn overseas cash pile without a major tax hit.