Regardless of your opinion of Apple and their products, they have pioneered the functions of modern-day technology, and their devices have changed our expectations on technology. With increased expectation and demand comes increased criticism – and in Apple’s case, skepticism regarding its device performance.
Consumers had long suspected that Apple was slowing down their older phones to push them into buying new ones. Apple itself admitted todoing this before Christmas.
The claim:
Apple claimed that they reduced the performance of older phones because they wanted to make sure that the extra battery performance did not cause the phones to shut down because older batteries didn’t have enough power.
Apple said that iPhones had problems because they chemically aged, and the batteries couldn’t provide the same level of power, sometimes the iPhone required more power than it was able to provide and shut down.
Their solution:
To avoid shutting down, Apple reduced some performance abilities. For instance, load times, and sound. Then, they offered to replace the affected batteries so that people could fix their phones again. Now, they are offering cheaper upgrades to your phone. In order to be eligible for the upgrade you need to have an iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, or SE.
Stipulations to this eligibility:
- Apple will not change your battery if its tests determine that your current battery is not degraded. Delays are likely.
- Apple is only offering this deal until December 2018.
Truthfully, phones are never as fast as the day you brought them home. Updated software slows it down, and it pales in comparison to new phones, which are automatically faster.
How do Apple’s batteries work?
Well, for starters, they use lithium-ion batteries. But it’s important to understand that while the phones are small, the batteries are not. Just because your battery has died it doesn’t mean that it does not have any stored power. This is why there may be a “plug in” graphic when you turn on your phone with a drained battery.
The battery must have more than a 2V capacity otherwise it will begin to oxidize. This process happens quickly and is not reversed by recharging your phone. Every single device has a critical voltage, which will not be operational at some point. This voltage is universal and varies from device.
Manufacturers need to make commercially viable and conscientious choices. They have to make choices based on smart engineering, to avoid the potential of chemical ageing.
Tips to save your battery:
There are many habits that deplete a battery. Overcharging, overheating, and age alone. Avoid overcharging your phone. Don’t leave your charger plugged in after it’s fully charged. Don’t indulge your phone with too many large apps at once either. Saving your battery is about recognizing its limitations and allowing your phone some “off time.”
Samsung’s own struggles:
Difficult batteries are not only synonymous with Apple’s recent omissions. The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 explosions ignited social media firestorms after its lithuim-ion batteries exploded and led to two recalls. In October 2017, they stopped production of this model and are now revealing what went wrong in both battery models.
In the first model, they say there was a design flaw in the upper right corner of the battery. This caused positive and negative tabs to break down, causing short circuits. In the second battery, there was a welding defect that caused the battery to catch fire.
The bottom line:
Apple is continually working on how to optimize their device performance and only time will tell if they’ll be able to keep up with user demand.
