Apple released an update to iOS 8 earlier this week that promised performance increases on older devices, such as the iPhone 4S, iPad 2, iPad Mini and iPod Touch. Ars Technica took a look at the numbers and found some disappointing results.
If you’re using an older device, iOS 8 really slowed things down. The interface was laggy, and app load times were dismal. It turns out things aren’t that much better with 8.1.1. Ars Technica found that app load times were about the same, the interface was still sluggish, and website load times were only marginally increased. This is to say, if you’re still rocking iOS 7 on an older device, it’s probably best to stay there. Head over to Ars Technica for the full results.
iOS 8.1.1, iPhone 4S, and iPad 2: a little faster, kind of, sometimes [Ars Technica]
Comments
3 responses to “How iOS 8.1.1 Affects Performance On Older Devices”
I hate this perception that ios updates are mean’t to always be better. its designed obsolescence. They are intentionally making each ios version require more juice to run therefore making older iphones obsolete.
I think the main annoyance from everyone was that they were still selling the 4S up until the day before they launched the 6/6+. So someone could have bought one the day before that, installed iOS 8 and then immediately gotten a slower phone.
Most operating systems work that way, more functionality and more complexity behind them need more power to run, yes some programmes can be reworked to be more efficient, but in the end it’s no different to other phones or pc’s
Remember that all of the new features and API’s don’t run on pixie dust and wishful thinking
Hate to be all anecdotal and everything, but my iPhone 4S & iPad 2 are now a joy to use under iOS 8.1.1.!
Apps now don’t crash & hang upon opening, animations don’t stall, keyboard is now immediately responsive.
“Performance improvements” are not only measured by a stopwatch! My devices are now as functional and frustration free as they ever were.
Message to wife: That doesn’t mean I don’t want an iPhone 6/6+ for Christmas. Just sayin’. <3