If you’ve ever had an older version of the iPhone and started wondering why it seemed like it was getting drastically worse throughout the years, you aren’t going crazy. In fact, it’s not even your fault — it turns out that, yes, Apple may actually play a hand in how obsolete your device becomes over time.
That’s right: the company admitted to deliberately slowing down your phone via iOS updates. But they swear it’s for a good reason!!!
After some consumers on Reddit noticed that their iPhones began running much faster after they replaced their batteries, Apple came clean and stated that yes, updates do tinker with older iPhones — but it’s only so models with older batteries run smoother and avoid shutting down constantly.
So it's true Apple intentionally slow down old iPhones. Proof: My iPhone 6 was bought 3years ago and recently got really slow. APP 'CPU DasherX' shows iPhone CPU is under clocked running at 600MHz. After a iPhone battery replacement. CPU speed resumed to factory setting 1400MHz. pic.twitter.com/pML3y0Jkp2
— Sam Si (@Sam_RMSI) December 20, 2017
Apple reps told Reuters:
“Last year we released a feature for iPhone 6, iPhone 6s and iPhone SE to smooth out the instantaneous peaks only when needed to prevent the device from unexpectedly shutting down during these conditions.
Okay, so it makes sense, but that didn’t stop people from being pretty pissed off at the idea that Apple has been doing this without telling anyone, since it’s ultimately prompted people to buy new phones instead of just new batteries.
If Apple is going to slow down an old phone so the battery can handle it, you should receive several alerts about it. They're coercing people to buy something new, even if they want to pretend that isn't their intention.
— Nico (@c0z) December 20, 2017
This is actually a pretty cool way of managing battery life as a phone ages, but it's also pretty disingenuous to not tell the user about it, and let them assume their phone just got slow pic.twitter.com/mc9TDi6EH7
— Owen Williams ⚡ (@ow) December 19, 2017
They argue they're protecting users by optimizing their battery 'magically' — so be up front about it and tell them about it.
Anything less is not excusable if you're lead to believe it's slow.. when a replacement battery will do the trick.
— Owen Williams ⚡ (@ow) December 20, 2017
Either way, it’s not exactly cost effective for consumers, who will probably be forced to pay if they want a functional phone.
This will be seen by many as a new Apple tax – forcing users to upgrade early, pay for a replacement battery… or be stuck with a slow phone.
— Jim Connolly 🌈 (@JimConnolly) December 20, 2017
Others argued that this is just how technology works — as it evolves, older models become obsolete.
“My iPhone is running slow after the newer updates”
Wow really? A phone designed in 2014 is having trouble running an OS designed in 2017!? Shocking!
Do you guys know how technology works?
— J (@_JustJeremy_) December 21, 2017
Still, it would’ve been nice to have a heads up, Apple. Let’s start being a little more transparent, okay? 
