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Geekbench Results Visualize Possible Link Between iPhone Slowdowns and Degraded Batteries
Primate Labs founder John Poole has plotted the kernel density of Geekbench 4 scores for iPhone 6s models running iOS 10.2, iOS 10.2.1, and iOS 11.2, visualizing an apparent link between lower performance and degraded battery health.
The charts show that on iOS 10.2, the vast majority of iPhone 6s devices benchmarked similarly in performance. However, Poole explains that the distribution of iPhone 6s scores for iOS 10.2.1 appears multimodal, with one large peak around the average and several smaller peaks around lower scores.
In other words, after iOS 10.2.1 was released last January, the performance of a percentage of iPhone 6s devices began to suffer.
In a statement, Apple said it made improvements in iOS 10.2.1 to reduce occurrences of unexpected iPhone shutdowns that a small number of users were experiencing. The shutdowns were reportedly caused by uneven power delivery from older batteries, which could cause an emergency shutdown of the devices.
While at least one report suggested that Apple tweaked its power management system in iPhone 6s devices, the company never disclosed what specific improvements it made to reduce the unexpected shutdowns.
A recent Reddit discussion, however, has reignited speculation that Apple is intentionally slowing down older iPhones to maximize power efficiency and stability when battery capacity has degraded, and reduce voltage-related shutdowns, and the Geekbench charts and Poole himself lend credit to that theory being true.
"The difference between iOS 10.2 and 10.2.1 is too abrupt to be just a function of battery condition," he said. "I believe … that Apple introduced a change to limit performance when battery condition decreases past a certain point."
The charts show that the number of iPhone 6s devices with lower Geekbench scores was even more pronounced on iOS 11.2, which is likely because the software update is around one year newer, which means that the battery capacity of many iPhone 6s devices has likely continued to deplete as expected.
Interestingly, even the iPhone 7 may be starting to be affected. While the distribution of Geekbench scores for the device on iOS 10.2, iOS 10.2.1, and iOS 11.1.2 appear identical, the results change with iOS 11.2 and start to resemble the iPhone 6s' degraded performance starting on iOS 10.2.1.
What this all means is that Apple may be intentionally slowing down older iPhones to maximize power efficiency and stability when battery capacity has degraded, as speculated, seemingly without publicly acknowledging so.
It's important to remember that all lithium-ion batteries naturally lose some of their ability to hold a charge over the course of a few years. Given the iPhone 6s was released in September 2015, the device has been available long enough that some users should consider replacing their battery regardless.
Apple charges an out-of-warranty fee of $79 to replace the battery of all eligible iPhone models in the United States. iPhone 6s users can contact AppleCare or schedule a Genius Bar appointment at a local Apple Store using the Apple Support app.
Apple did not immediately respond to our request for comment about the Geekbench findings. We'll update this article if we hear back.
The charts show that on iOS 10.2, the vast majority of iPhone 6s devices benchmarked similarly in performance. However, Poole explains that the distribution of iPhone 6s scores for iOS 10.2.1 appears multimodal, with one large peak around the average and several smaller peaks around lower scores.
In other words, after iOS 10.2.1 was released last January, the performance of a percentage of iPhone 6s devices began to suffer.
In a statement, Apple said it made improvements in iOS 10.2.1 to reduce occurrences of unexpected iPhone shutdowns that a small number of users were experiencing. The shutdowns were reportedly caused by uneven power delivery from older batteries, which could cause an emergency shutdown of the devices.
While at least one report suggested that Apple tweaked its power management system in iPhone 6s devices, the company never disclosed what specific improvements it made to reduce the unexpected shutdowns.
A recent Reddit discussion, however, has reignited speculation that Apple is intentionally slowing down older iPhones to maximize power efficiency and stability when battery capacity has degraded, and reduce voltage-related shutdowns, and the Geekbench charts and Poole himself lend credit to that theory being true.
"The difference between iOS 10.2 and 10.2.1 is too abrupt to be just a function of battery condition," he said. "I believe … that Apple introduced a change to limit performance when battery condition decreases past a certain point."
The charts show that the number of iPhone 6s devices with lower Geekbench scores was even more pronounced on iOS 11.2, which is likely because the software update is around one year newer, which means that the battery capacity of many iPhone 6s devices has likely continued to deplete as expected.
Interestingly, even the iPhone 7 may be starting to be affected. While the distribution of Geekbench scores for the device on iOS 10.2, iOS 10.2.1, and iOS 11.1.2 appear identical, the results change with iOS 11.2 and start to resemble the iPhone 6s' degraded performance starting on iOS 10.2.1.
What this all means is that Apple may be intentionally slowing down older iPhones to maximize power efficiency and stability when battery capacity has degraded, as speculated, seemingly without publicly acknowledging so.
It's important to remember that all lithium-ion batteries naturally lose some of their ability to hold a charge over the course of a few years. Given the iPhone 6s was released in September 2015, the device has been available long enough that some users should consider replacing their battery regardless.
Apple charges an out-of-warranty fee of $79 to replace the battery of all eligible iPhone models in the United States. iPhone 6s users can contact AppleCare or schedule a Genius Bar appointment at a local Apple Store using the Apple Support app.
Apple did not immediately respond to our request for comment about the Geekbench findings. We'll update this article if we hear back.
Tags: Geekbench, iPhone Slowdown
[ 525 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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22 months ago
I don't have a problem with power management routines reducing CPU speed to compensate for low battery capacity - what I have a problem with is Apple HIDING WHAT THEY DID, and not allowing the user to have a choice. That's pretty shameful.
Apple, put a setting in the dang battery settings that allows a user to choose "longer battery life -vs- better performance". A 3 or 4 position slider would be perfectly adequate.
Apple, put a setting in the dang battery settings that allows a user to choose "longer battery life -vs- better performance". A 3 or 4 position slider would be perfectly adequate.
22 months ago
What else evidence do Apple defenders need? This should be enough!
It's amazing this news hasn't caused much attention.
It's amazing this news hasn't caused much attention.
22 months ago
Apple has been intentionally throttling phones performance for years with each iOS update.
This is nothing new. They finally got caught with their pants down with actual reported results of the CPU performance tests.
They do it so people dont keep the same device for too long in order to force their hand to upgrade every year or so.
Its clear planned obsolescence.
If the battery degrades or needs replacement I dont expect my iphone to run at 50% less CPU performance than when it was originally purchased.
Dont slow my device down without telling me. If I need a battery replacement tell me instead of turning my iPhone to a turtle.
There's no excuse for any of this. Its all shady and should be investigated in court.
This is nothing new. They finally got caught with their pants down with actual reported results of the CPU performance tests.
They do it so people dont keep the same device for too long in order to force their hand to upgrade every year or so.
Its clear planned obsolescence.
If the battery degrades or needs replacement I dont expect my iphone to run at 50% less CPU performance than when it was originally purchased.
Dont slow my device down without telling me. If I need a battery replacement tell me instead of turning my iPhone to a turtle.
There's no excuse for any of this. Its all shady and should be investigated in court.
22 months ago
This proves planned obsolescence exists. Some iPhone 7 models have been slowed down on iOS 11.
Poole believes that Apple added a software adjustment for iPhone 7 with iOS 11.2, similar to what it did to correct the iPhone 6s shutdown issues with 10.2.1. He goes on to share Apple may have created a misleading “third state” of slower iPhone performance without any notification that could convince users to upgrade their devices earlier than planned.
22 months ago
iPhone X is the last time I'll buy the most expensive phone model.
It's great, but not THAT much greater. At the end of the day, it's a disposable item.
1.5 years from now, Apple will treat it as old crap and do crap like this to it.
The $300+ premium I paid will mean literally nothing.
Should've bought an iPhone 8.
It's great, but not THAT much greater. At the end of the day, it's a disposable item.
1.5 years from now, Apple will treat it as old crap and do crap like this to it.
The $300+ premium I paid will mean literally nothing.
Should've bought an iPhone 8.
22 months ago
I am VERY surprised macrumors did an article on this! WOW! In all honesty I assumed this site was an Apple apologist run site. Props to MR!
I am one of the affected with an iPhone 6s 32GB that just turned a year old on the 26th of November. So battery degration "over a few years" is hogwash.
I am one of the affected with an iPhone 6s 32GB that just turned a year old on the 26th of November. So battery degration "over a few years" is hogwash.
22 months ago
This proves planned obsolescence exists. Some iPhone 7 models have been slowed down on iOS 11.
what? No it doesn't. An attempt to maintain stability due to degrading batteries would be the opposite. Until battery technology improves, this is a thing unfortunately.
So to be clear, an attempt to slow down the iphone solely to make new iphones attractive is NOT what this article is saying.
-d
22 months ago
It's not just the fact that they did this intentionally, it's that they didn't bother telling consumers. That's shady. They know it'll increase sales so it's another "Let's recall just a few to look like we're doing the right thing!" then proceed to sweep everything else under the rug.
In store I was told that first series Apple watches had no recall but I called Apple, there was. A year and a half later, I got a replacement.
Coincidence? Perhaps. More likely a push to sales as of course they "Kindly" said that fixing it would cost money and "Wouldn't it be better to get a newer one with more features?". Right.
How about no.
Apple didn't get as rich as they did without some shady choices. All big companies are like this. So I make no excuses for any of them when they get caught red handed.
In store I was told that first series Apple watches had no recall but I called Apple, there was. A year and a half later, I got a replacement.
Coincidence? Perhaps. More likely a push to sales as of course they "Kindly" said that fixing it would cost money and "Wouldn't it be better to get a newer one with more features?". Right.
How about no.
Apple didn't get as rich as they did without some shady choices. All big companies are like this. So I make no excuses for any of them when they get caught red handed.
22 months ago
So basically Apple just can't win!
Iphone users experience random shutdowns due to degraded batteries causing low voltage shutdowns... users complain.
Apple issue a fix to reduce load on CPU to prevent low-voltage shutdowns from happening on iPhones with degraded batteries... users still complain.
I would love to know what is,
Apple do [something-something-somethng]... everybody in the world rejoices!
How about this?
Tell EVERYONE that they can just replace their battery rather than buying an unapologetically expensive new iPhone.
Is that so hard for you to understand?
[ Read All Comments ]
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