Firmware doesn’t affect only old-generation devices

Feb 16, 2015 10:27 GMT  ·  By

iOS 8 isn’t exactly Apple’s best work. Riddled with flaws since inception, the operating system has received a fresh piece of software that ruins battery life. At least for some users.

We initially reported the problem last week, noting that iOS 8.1.3 was seemingly taking its toll only on old-generation devices. We were wrong. As we discovered ourselves in the interim, the firmware heavily impacts battery life on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus handsets as well.

More than the usual whining

We didn’t think much of the complaints found on Apple Support Communities, mainly because this type of thing gets reported every single time a new iOS version comes out. The view count is still in the four-figure range, and this is the only thread discussing the issue.

However, the reports keep piling up, and now we can confirm the battery drain ourselves. We’ve tested the new firmware on three separate devices: an iPhone 6 Plus, an iPhone 6, and an iPhone 5s.

Device runs hot, battery meter drops visibly faster

The 5S was the most impacted, running hot at all times and draining its own battery even as the device was supposed to be asleep. The iPhone 6 Plus, which used to withstand marathons of Plants vs Zombies, now dies in roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes of gameplay. At the end of the session, the phone is so hot you can cook a steak on it.

The iPhone 6 didn’t fare any better either. Used heavily for navigation purposes, this phone usually burns through an entire charge every day, but now it runs out of juice so fast we can barely rely on it anymore. This one also warms up much faster than before.

The problem is clearly tied to iOS 8.1.3, and while there are steps you can take to reduce drainage, we don’t feel it’s the adequate solution for someone who wants a reliable, fully functional smartphone in their pocket.

A bunch of users on Twitter are also reporting the problem. How's your experience been so far?  

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