Californian tech giant Apple has released its highly anticipated iOS 18 update, bringing a host of new features to iPhones worldwide. As with any major software release, one question remains for users of older devices: Will this update cause performance issues on older phones?
The dilemma arises with every annual iOS upgrade. Although Apple strives to ensure its software is compatible with a wide range of iPhones, not all models handle new updates equally well. This year, iOS 18 supports devices as old as 2018’s iPhone XS and XR, but the performance hit is inevitable.
According to a report from 9To5Mac, some users suspect that Apple is intentionally slowing down older iPhones with new software, but the reality is more complex. Devices from 2018 simply don’t have the same processing power as models from 2024, meaning they may struggle to run the latest features in iOS 18 as smoothly as their newer counterparts. Although Apple optimizes its software to avoid major slowdowns, limitations are inevitable when running cutting-edge features on older hardware, the report adds.
It’s worth noting that Apple has to strike a delicate balance with each release. On the one hand, providing iOS updates to all supported devices ensures that users continue to receive security and feature enhancements. On the other hand, newer software often places greater demands on aging hardware.
Reports suggest that the update is unlikely to cause noticeable performance degradation for users of newer iPhones. However, older devices may experience performance degradation. The question is whether upgrading for new features is worth the potential loss in speed and battery life.
For those hesitant to install iOS 18, Apple is offering a middle ground. The company is also releasing iOS 17.7, which includes important security patches without introducing the more resource-intensive features of iOS 18, the report added. This way, users can stay safe without having to update to the latest system.
Ultimately, the decision is up to the user: enjoy the latest innovations or stick with a tried-and-tested experience for now. While Apple would undoubtedly welcome an upgrade to the latest iPhone 16, it continues to offer support for older models for longer than many rivals in the technology space.
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Published: September 17, 2024, 11:34 AM IST
