In late 2017, Apple was accused of intentionally slowing down older iPhone models. After facing class action lawsuits filed by unhappy owners of older iPhones and taking a deeper dive into customer complaints, the company decided transparency about the aging of its batteries as well as offering a new, discounted replacement battery could help resolve the issue.
Now, Apple is adding on a software update that tackles the battery issue head on and gives users several new key insights: the percentage of the original charge remaining in their battery; an option to disable the performance throttle on iPhones that have weak batteries; and a performance management feature that dynamically manages maximum performance to prevent unexpected shutdowns.
Will this make its users happy?
It remains to be seen if this move will soothe the souls of iPhone aficionados or the Department of Justice, but it’s certainly another step in the right direction after the company had been accused of deliberately slowing down older model iPhones -- one they apologized profusely for.
In Apple scout Gregory McFadden’s demonstration video of the new battery health feature, it’s apparent that the company is going the extra mile to make sure users get a full explanation of what the iPhone battery performance feature does and the steps to take if the battery degrades.
“I think the appropriate steps were taken and these new battery health features are an amazing step forward in transparency for iPhone users,” McFadden told ConsumerAffairs. “In my honest viewpoint, Apple went above and beyond to address the battery controversy and gives users the choice on what options to take to prolong the life of their iPhone.”
More than just a battery fix
Giving users a better handle on battery life isn’t the only thing that Apple users should expect in the system update. Also included will be new Animoji (animated emoji) options, the capability to view your health records, and what the company is touting as the the “largest AR platform in the world.”
“Simply put, we believe augmented reality is going to change the way we use technology forever,” Apple chief Tim Cook said during his Q4 2017 earnings call. “We’re already seeing things that will transform the way you work, play, connect and learn.”