Apple may fix aging battery issues, prevent random shutdowns by slowing down iPhones
It appears that some iPhone 6 or iPhone 6s family devices may see slower processing speeds as a result of a battery that has reached the end of its operational life, with some users getting a speed-up upon replacement -- but the slow-down and consequent speed-up isn't universal, and there may be other factors at work.
A lengthy Reddit thread was started on Dec. 10, with several satellite threads spun off over the weekend. All of the threads had users claiming higher benchmark results after a battery replacement. While there is no universal improvement in benchmarks after a replacement, some additional users did confirm that their devices felt faster after a replacement.
Confusing the issue somewhat, some users with replacements at a Genius Bar saw no improvements. Additionally, users with third-party batteries sourced from unknown vendors also saw no improvements.
At present, the theory is that the iOS 10.2.1 update issued in part to rectify iPhone 6 shutdown issues with a low-power battery condition implemented some kind of down-clocking routine to slow the processor in afflicted devices. The thread speculates that the same routines to prevent the premature shutdown exist in iOS 11, and are what is causing the less-than-expected results in benchmarks.
The down-clocking of the processor in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s family devices reportedly extends to even when the iPhone is plugged in. If universally accurate, this is not dissimilar to how some iBook models after the Intel migration would run slower when running on the AC adapter without an installed and at least partially functional battery.
AppleInsider attempted to get clarification on the situation from sources within Apple. Apple service guidance information provided to us by sources not authorized to speak on behalf of the company do not have a replace battery step as a rectification step for user-reported slow iPhones.
We were unable to get any information explicitly confirming or denying the theories postulated in the Reddit thread. We were told that customers should get their batteries replaced at Apple-authorized service centers, as that is the only way that it can be guaranteed that a battery meeting all of the company's specifications can be met.
It is not clear if other families of iPhones are impacted by the same effect.
As a side-effect of the thread, and consequent reporting of it, the conspiracy theory suggesting that Apple intentionally slows down older iPhones to force purchasing a new device has risen again. While it has been conclusively proven that older iPhone hardware with an adequately functioning battery is no slower than it was at launch, any routine to down-clock an iPhone processor in an environment where the battery is weak can be dealt with by a battery replacement -- without mandating a new iPhone purchase.
A battery replacement through Apple costs $79. A new iPhone SE on the low-end costs $349, with the iPhone X on the high end retailing for $999 and up.
Should AppleInsider get any more information from our sources within Apple regarding the possibility of a processor throttle with a chemically depleted battery, we will update accordingly.
A lengthy Reddit thread was started on Dec. 10, with several satellite threads spun off over the weekend. All of the threads had users claiming higher benchmark results after a battery replacement. While there is no universal improvement in benchmarks after a replacement, some additional users did confirm that their devices felt faster after a replacement.
Confusing the issue somewhat, some users with replacements at a Genius Bar saw no improvements. Additionally, users with third-party batteries sourced from unknown vendors also saw no improvements.
At present, the theory is that the iOS 10.2.1 update issued in part to rectify iPhone 6 shutdown issues with a low-power battery condition implemented some kind of down-clocking routine to slow the processor in afflicted devices. The thread speculates that the same routines to prevent the premature shutdown exist in iOS 11, and are what is causing the less-than-expected results in benchmarks.
Users theorize that Apple addressed random shutdown issues by down-clocking the processor in afflicted devices.
The down-clocking of the processor in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s family devices reportedly extends to even when the iPhone is plugged in. If universally accurate, this is not dissimilar to how some iBook models after the Intel migration would run slower when running on the AC adapter without an installed and at least partially functional battery.
AppleInsider attempted to get clarification on the situation from sources within Apple. Apple service guidance information provided to us by sources not authorized to speak on behalf of the company do not have a replace battery step as a rectification step for user-reported slow iPhones.
We were unable to get any information explicitly confirming or denying the theories postulated in the Reddit thread. We were told that customers should get their batteries replaced at Apple-authorized service centers, as that is the only way that it can be guaranteed that a battery meeting all of the company's specifications can be met.
It is not clear if other families of iPhones are impacted by the same effect.
As a side-effect of the thread, and consequent reporting of it, the conspiracy theory suggesting that Apple intentionally slows down older iPhones to force purchasing a new device has risen again. While it has been conclusively proven that older iPhone hardware with an adequately functioning battery is no slower than it was at launch, any routine to down-clock an iPhone processor in an environment where the battery is weak can be dealt with by a battery replacement -- without mandating a new iPhone purchase.
A battery replacement through Apple costs $79. A new iPhone SE on the low-end costs $349, with the iPhone X on the high end retailing for $999 and up.
Should AppleInsider get any more information from our sources within Apple regarding the possibility of a processor throttle with a chemically depleted battery, we will update accordingly.
Comments
Or, rather it did until OS 11.0 where both the battery drained very quickly and the keyboard had a significant lag. Also, loading a spreadsheet in Numbers was noticeably slower. Things have gradually improved since then and now the phone is running 11.2 and things are mostly back to where they were -- but not quite. It still, occasionally seems to run a bit slower loading spreadsheets and apps.
But, it no longer seems like I need to purchase a new phone. It is slower than it was, but its not terribly so. I suspect that it is just an older phone trying to deal with a newer OS with (I would imagine) increased memory & processor demands...
But I have an aftermarket screen and battery, so I'm on my own and no fault of Apple.
The problem is that since Apple have done nothing to explain or even reveal this behaviour, the average customer has absolutely no reason to believe any performance issues are battery related and are far more likely to believe they need a new phone rather than a battery replacement. So this resurgence of what you call a “conspiracy theory” is actually pretty justified.
In actual fact this phenomenon flat out proves that, in practice, older iPhone hardware really is deliberately underclocked and slowed down by software. So actually those conspiracy theorists weren’t imagining it - they were onto something.
I guess the question is, which is better -- no phone because Apple shuts it down because of battery performance, or a slower one.
They did replace at least some of them.
(I own an iPhone 6 on 10.3.3)
- I suggest, instead of going by anecdotal evidence, hopefully iPhone 6s, which have pre 10.2.1, can be found and tested with benchmarks and some real world app use situations. Then that performance can be compared with iPhone 6s which have 10.2.1 or later.
Without that more objective measurement, proof of a conspiracy by Apple cannot be determined.
I'm sorry that some users have iPhone 6s which are malfunctioning.
But any phone model can have problems due to wear and tear.
Fortunately as stated in the article, Apple can do an iPhone battery replacement.
For instance the supposed conspiracy is about the iPhone 6 while your phone is a 6S.
It also needs to be clear; 1. What specific version of iOS caused the slowdown? Is 10.2.1 (as stated by those who claim there is a conspiracy) causing the slowdown? 2. If there are benchmark changes what are the differences? iOS updates on new phones can lead to benchmark changes.
Again, I'd be more comfortable if a reputable website that does phone speed tests would investigate these conspiracy claims.
?
From the article: "The down-clocking of the processor in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s family devices reportedly extends to even when the iPhone is plugged in."
And the original battery recall was only for the 6S
https://www.apple.com/support/iphone6s-unexpectedshutdown/
This all happened two generations ago and those comments just never reached a critical mass until this reddit post. I'm not blaming the publications to be clear, I'm just saying it never got noticed, and Apple also never sent a notification to impacted batteries to come in for a swap, so Apple managed to dodge the majority of the bill.
It's probably too late now for any publication to investigate 10.2.0 vs 10.2.1, but that battery shutdown patch is exactly when my 6S performance fell off a cliff.
To also be clear I'm definitely not backing the "purposeful slowdown to buy a new phone" claim, I'm just saying the 6S defective battery patch definitely tamped down SoC performance to not have peaks on the battery. I don't think it can remotely be called a conspiracy, but you don't have to believe some guy on the internet. For me though, what I found myself back with the 6S, tested with numbers before and after that patch in that unseen thread I made, was exactly what the reddit post and many are now describing, so it scratched that itch from a few phones ago.
1, 2, 3, 4....
And not one with any actual evidence to back it up!
Whether Apple’s motivation is purely to save people from the inconvenience of battery shutdowns (which we’re expected to accept can’t be avoided any other way), or to encourage people to upgrade their phones, or maybe a little bit of both - THAT is unknown. It’s unknown because Apple have made no attempt to explain themselves or be up front about this “feature”. And that in itself is highly suspect.
They may have done that -- but I didn't experience it.
Instead, it seemed to be more with the battery monitor not working "properly":
My 6+ would be sitting at above 30% percent power then, as soon as I started a video, it would drop to near zero and then zero and shut down. It couldn't be restarted until it was put on a charger -- at which point the battery charge immediately popped right back up to 30% as soon as the phone restarted.
When Apple tested the (2 year old) battery, it tested as OK, but was right on the line of needing replaced -- and they said a new battery would correct the problem. They were correct.
Rather than actually being a battery problem or an intentional shut down by Apple I think it was simply a power monitor that was not doing its job well and fooling the phone.
I’d appreciate it if Apple created an app for that. Hardware issues as devices age are to be expected (especially batteries). Rather than deal with issues and have no way to diagnose them, and unable to turn to third parties due to the “walled garden” it’s time for APPLE to step up and create/provide it for end users. (It already exists for Apple employees)