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24th Jan 2018

Latest iPhone update boasts ‘battery health’ feature following slowdown controversy

Kate Demolder

iPhone

Last month, Apple admitted deliberately slowing down the processing power of iPhones with older batteries using iOS updates.

Apple has come forward and said that the next version of its mobile operating system iOS will have a new feature showcasing the user’s iPhone’s battery health.

Last month, the tech giant confirmed prior speculation that older iPhones include software which slows the phones down if the batteries are becoming worn out.

Apple has since apologised for the decision, saying the company has “never – and would never – do anything to intentionally shorten the life of any Apple product,” – a statement not believed by many.

As well as showing battery health, iOS 11.3 also promises to send recommendations to iPhone users should their battery need either servicing or replacing.

iPhone users will now also be able to check their device to see if the controversial power management feature is on – and they will also be able to turn it off if they wish to.

The power management changes fueled an argument that Apple intentionally slows down older iPhones at wholesale to encourage customers to upgrade to newer models.

A developer preview of iOS 11.3 is already available, but the product’s new battery health features are set to be introduced at a later beta build before the new version of the OS is made available for all users this spring.

The company is currently facing class action lawsuits over the deliberate slowing down of their products, and has already slashed the price of replacement batteries in the wake of the controversy.

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Topics:

Apple,iPhone,Tech