Apple iOS 7.1 is now available for Apple’s devices, and one device that has seen significant benefits from the update is the iPhone 4.
According to a recent report by Ars Technica, the iPhone 4 gets some major improvements with the update, and it seems to have made things faster on the handset over iOS 7.
iOS 7.1 solves the problem for people who don’t tweak their devices’ settings or for people who like the way the animations look but not how they feel. Animation durations have been shortened noticeably throughout iOS 7.1, and toggling “reduce motion” is now purely cosmetic. To show how this speeds up even the slowest of Apple’s phones, we re-ran our application launch tests under iOS 7.1 and compared them to the results from iOS 6.1.3 and 7.0.
The table below shows which apps are faster on the iPhone 4 in iOS 7.1 as opposed to iOS 7.0 and iOS 6.1.3.
Performance Improvements
The performance improvements in iOS 7.1 are particularly noticeable in the iPhone 4, a device that was beginning to show its age under the weight of newer software updates. Users have reported that the phone feels more responsive, with quicker app launches and smoother navigation. This is a significant relief for iPhone 4 owners who were struggling with the sluggish performance of iOS 7.0.
For instance, the Camera app, which is crucial for many users, now opens faster, allowing for quicker photo captures. Similarly, the Messages app, which is frequently used, shows a marked improvement in speed, making texting a more pleasant experience. These enhancements make the iPhone 4 more usable and extend its lifespan, providing a better user experience without the need for an immediate upgrade to a newer model.
Animation and Motion Adjustments
One of the key areas where iOS 7.1 has made a difference is in the handling of animations and motion effects. The update has shortened animation durations across the board, making the overall user interface feel snappier. This change is particularly beneficial for users who found the animations in iOS 7.0 to be overly long and somewhat cumbersome.
Moreover, the “reduce motion” setting, which was introduced to help users who experience motion sickness from the parallax effects, has been refined. In iOS 7.1, toggling this setting now only affects the cosmetic aspects of the interface, rather than the functional ones. This means that users can enjoy a visually appealing interface without compromising on performance.
As Ars Technica pointed out, iOS 7.1 could very well be the last major update for the iPhone 4, although this has yet to be confirmed by Apple. If this is the case, iOS 7.1 serves as a fitting final update, optimizing the device’s performance and ensuring that it remains functional for as long as possible.
In conclusion, iOS 7.1 brings a host of improvements to the iPhone 4, making it faster and more responsive. The update addresses key performance issues and refines the user experience, ensuring that the device remains a viable option for users who are not yet ready to upgrade. While it may be the last major update for the iPhone 4, iOS 7.1 ensures that the device goes out on a high note.
Source Ars Technica
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