14 DAY TRIAL // Apple will release iOS 13.1 earlier than anticipated in order to correct bugs and improve the performance of the original iOS 13 update, but as it turns out, there’s also a little surprise in there that some may not like.
iOS 13.1 is expected to introduce CPU throttling capabilities on iPhones that previously lacked such a system, and these include iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.
CPU throttling is a method that Apple used to reduce the impact of a degraded battery on an iPhone.
Specifically, Apple used to slow down the processor speed on iPhones with worn-out batteries in an attempt to provide the same battery life as before. In other words, less power equals longer battery life, and Apple employed this system on several iPhone models.
Until it got caught, that is, as the company failed to tell customers the slowdown was real, convincing many that it was the time to purchase a new iPhone.
CPU throttling on iPhone XS
iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR all launched without a CPU throttling system, but instead relied on other power management and monitoring features supposed to reduce the impact of a degraded battery.
But iOS 13.1 will bring the controversial feature to these iPhone models as well, according to RedmondPie. And at some level, this makes sense.
iPhones XS and iPhone XR are one-year-old, and the battery health of some units might have already decreased. While these devices do come with new systems to cope with the degradation, Apple thinks that the CPU throttling is the most effective, so having it around should help improve battery life.
Of course, this isn’t necessarily everyone’s cup of tea, so keeping an eye on the performance of an iPhone should help determine if the CPU throttling is active or not. Needless to say, getting a new iPhone is the best way to fight battery degradation.