Apple’s new iOS 18 is shaping up to be the most anticipated update yet, but it could be a nightmare for some iPhone users.
A former employee of the tech giant warned that the update could cause lag and battery degradation on older iPhones, such as the X, 11, 12 and 13.
That’s because iOS 18 is shaping up to be one of the biggest updates in years, implementing cutting-edge artificial intelligence.
New AI-powered features and other updates in the upcoming iOS 18 require more power, which could prove difficult for older models.
A former employee of the tech giant warned that the update could cause lag and battery degradation on older iPhones, such as the X, 11 (pictured), 12 and 13.
Apple has previously come under fire when iPhone users claimed their smartphones were being intentionally slowed down.
The tech giant had reached a $500 million settlement with US users, which it began paying out in January, to quell the so-called “batterygate” scandal of 2017 that was labelled “one of the biggest consumer frauds in history.”
Apple agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit in 2020 but has not admitted wrongdoing.
When the new iOS 18 is released in mid-September, it will offer a host of new features, including Tap to Cash to make it easier to pay friends, hidden apps, and Apple’s own artificial intelligence system, Apple Intelligence.
But not everyone is enthusiastic about it.
A former Apple employee has taken to social media to warn iPhone users about a major drawback of iOS 18: it could slow down your phone.
Content creator and former Apple sales specialist Tyler Morgan posted a TikTok Warning people with older iPhones not to download iOS 18.
“If your phone is working perfectly fine and you don’t care too much about the new iOS, don’t update it,” he said in the video.
iPhones as old as the X, which was released in 2018, can support iOS 18. But that doesn’t mean it will work fine on these older phones.
“It’s a new update that uses more power, which will really drain your battery and seriously deteriorate its health,” he said.
“What happens when the battery starts to deteriorate? Your damn phone starts to run slowly,” he added.
There are a few different reasons why your phone might be running slower after installing iOS 18, according to iMyPhone, a software company that offers consulting for iPhone-related issues.
Low data storage, having too many apps open, a weak network connection and a faulty battery can all contribute to lag after installing an iOS update, according to the website iMyPhone. state.
And if certain settings aren’t optimized, like motion and screen brightness, that can cause problems too.
When the update rolls out in mid-September, it will offer a host of new features, including Tap to Cash to make it easier to pay friends, hidden apps, and Apple’s own artificial intelligence system, Apple Intelligence.
Some older iPhone users who downloaded the iOS 18 beta have already experienced delays.
A Reddit user aware“iOS 18 has been so slow on the XR, it’s crazy how bad it is. Oh my god. The phone has been slower than my old iPhone 6s.”
Another Reddit user made a mail asking for advice on why their iPhone 13 is “freezing and acting slow” after installing the iOS 18 beta.
Some of these issues may be due to the fact that beta software is unfinished and tends to have more bugs than finished software, commenters responded.
Content creator and former Apple sales specialist Tyler Morgan warns people with older iPhones not to download iOS 18
If you notice your phone slowing down or shutting down faster after installing iOS 18 this fall, there are a few solutions you can try.
iMyPhone recommends users start with a tried and true solution: restarting the phone.
This helps retain memory, prevent crashes, run more smoothly and extend battery life, the website claims.
If that doesn’t work, try freeing up storage space by deleting old photos, videos, messages, and apps you don’t use.
This should improve the speed and functionality of your phone, according to iMyPhone.
Originally announced at the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, iOS 18 is expected to hit devices in mid-September.
It’s packed with new AI-powered features, like the ability to create custom emojis (or “Genmojis”), smart writing tools, and big improvements to Siri.
It will also include the ability to “hide” apps in locked folders, which has sparked criticism from some iPhone users who say the feature could encourage cheating in relationships.
If those features sound interesting to you, go ahead and download the update, Morgan said. But if you have an iPhone 13 or older, be prepared to experience a performance hit.