In 2017, iPhone users discovered a software-based power throttling
feature that was meant to prevent random shutdowns as the phone's
battery aged. Apple's lack of clarity around the program turned what was
meant to be a helpful failsafe into a debacle. As 9to5Mac has discovered, the company is now putting details about their new, always-on power optimization system for the iPhone 11 series out in the open.
This new framework, which Apple specifically says is different from
the feature in older phones, uses a combination of hardware and software
to avoid performance hits as iPhone batteries age. "While performance
impacts are reduced as much as possible, battery aging might still
eventually lead to noticeable, possibly temporary, effects," says the
support document. Apple cites "longer app launch times, lower frame
rates, reduced wireless-data throughput, backlight dimming or lower
speaker volume" as possible results of diminished battery health.
To be clear, the feature isn't meant to keep your iPhone's battery running
longer in the short term; this is a long term strategy so that the
capacity of a phone's battery stays as high as possible for as long as
possible. New iPhone batteries can last for days depending on how
frequently power-hungry apps are used. But after a few years, they tend
to only last a day, or sometimes much less, before needing a recharge.
Apple will replace an old battery with a new one, but it's either $50 or
$70 depending on which iPhone model you have. Hopefully this feature
will keep iPhone 11 batteries running at a high capacity throughout
their lifespans.
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