We have already seen some speed tests of iOS 11.3 vs iOS 11.2.6 and now we have a video of some iOS 11.3 battery tests. In the video, which you can see below, the battery is tested on the iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6S, iPhone 7, and iPhone 8.
All five handsets are tested for battery life on iOS 11.2.6 and then the handsets are put through the same tests running iOS 11.3. Will there be any improvements in battery life on the iPhones?
Battery Performance Comparison
As we can see from the video, the new iOS 11.3 has lower battery performance than the iOS 11.2.6 software. On the iPhone 5S, it runs out 16 minutes earlier than iOS 11.2.6. This is quite significant considering the age of the iPhone 5S, where every minute of battery life is crucial for users still relying on older devices.
The rest of the handsets also show worse battery performance on the new iOS software. For instance, the iPhone 6 shows a reduction in battery life by approximately 12 minutes, while the iPhone 6S sees a decrease of around 10 minutes. The iPhone 7 and iPhone 8, which are relatively newer models, also experience a drop in battery performance, albeit slightly less pronounced than the older models. The iPhone 7 loses about 8 minutes, and the iPhone 8 sees a reduction of around 5 minutes.
Possible Reasons for Battery Drain
There could be several reasons for the observed decrease in battery performance with iOS 11.3. One possibility is that the new features and improvements introduced in iOS 11.3 are more resource-intensive, thereby consuming more battery power. For example, iOS 11.3 includes enhancements to augmented reality experiences, new Animoji for iPhone X users, and improvements to the Health app, all of which could potentially require more processing power and, consequently, more battery usage.
Another factor could be the battery health management feature introduced in iOS 11.3. This feature provides users with more information about their battery’s health and recommends if a battery needs to be replaced. While this is a useful feature, it might also be running background processes that contribute to the overall battery drain.
Additionally, software updates often come with bug fixes and optimizations that can sometimes have unintended side effects on battery life. It’s possible that iOS 11.3 includes such changes that, while improving performance or security, inadvertently affect battery longevity.
What Users Can Do
For users experiencing significant battery drain after updating to iOS 11.3, there are a few steps that can be taken to mitigate the issue. First, checking for any app updates is crucial, as developers often release updates to optimize their apps for the latest iOS version. Additionally, users can manage their battery usage by turning off background app refresh, reducing screen brightness, and disabling location services for apps that do not require it.
Another useful tip is to monitor battery usage through the settings menu to identify any apps that are consuming an unusually high amount of battery. Uninstalling or updating these apps can sometimes resolve battery drain issues.
In conclusion, while iOS 11.3 brings several new features and improvements, it appears to have a negative impact on battery performance across various iPhone models. Users should be aware of this trade-off and take appropriate measures to manage their battery usage effectively.
Source iAppleBytes
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