Apple’s iOS 12.1 update brings Performance Management to iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X

Apple’s iOS 12.1 update brings Performance Management to iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X
HIGHLIGHTS

The iOS 12.1 update that rolled out on October 30 has brought the Performance management option to iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X, even though Apple had last year said that these phones wouldn't need it.

Apple’s iOS 12.1 update has been hotly anticipated given the number of exciting features it brings with it. Features like e-SIM activation, Group FaceTime and 70 new emojis did make the update exciting for users, but it also brought in a feature that is bound to ruffle some feathers; performance management.

Performance Management is a software toggle that will allow you to lower the performance levels of the phone in case the battery has deteriorated beyond a point. This is a feature that Apple had secretly enabled on older iPhones, which eventually exploded into one of the biggest controversies for the brand in 2017. As many iPhone 6s users started to report that their iPhones would suddenly turn off despite having an adequate battery, Apple discovered that the heavy demand of iOS was taxing the deteriorated battery, causing the phone to shut down. Hence, through an iOS update, they silently throttled the performance of all iPhones at the time, provided the battery had deteriorated below a certain level. After the issue blew up, Apple said they have issued an update making the feature optional. They also said that the newer iPhones at the time, the iPhone 8 duo and the iPhone X would not be impacted, but here we are. 

The Performance Management setting will allow users with an iPhone 8/iPhone 8 Plus or an iPhone X whose battery has deteriorated and are experiencing sudden shutdowns, to turn the feature on and not have their phones switch off randomly. The issue can be fixed by having the battery swapped out, but Apple has traditionally been very difficult about offering this service, sparking conspiracy theories that they built planned obsolesce into their devices. At the time, Apple did say that future iPhones would not have a need for this feature, but it looks like the company is not taking any chances. Thankfully, this time, instead of automatic throttling, the company has given users a choice; choose full performance or stable battery life. Having to choose between the two is a terrible thing and Apple should just go ahead and make battery replacements as easy as walking into an Apple authorized store and walking out with a new battery in the phone, no questions asked. Apple does have a concessional pricing for battery replacement on models iPhone 6 and higher running through till December 31, but it would be nice to see the company extend this indefinitely.

Digit NewsDesk

Digit NewsDesk

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