Apple has confirmed it’ll release an update that’ll give iPhone users the ability to disable the “battery saver” functionality, which is thought to slow down older models.
According to a report from the BBC, the update will be available for owners of the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, SE, 7 and 7 Plus handsets. They’ll get a switch off option.
Last month, Apple admitted that it slows down some iPhone models when they age. The tech giant was met with criticism and legal cases right around the globe.
The firm issued an apology. In a statement, it said: “We’ve been hearing feedback from our customers about the way we handle performance for iPhones with older batteries and how we have communicated that process.”
“We know that some of you feel Apple has let you down. We apologise. There’s been a lot of misunderstanding about this issue, so we would like to clarify and let you know about some changes we’re making.”
However, Apple denied that it conducts battery throttling intentionally, adding: “First and foremost, we have never — and would never — do anything to intentionally shorten the life of any Apple product, or degrade the user experience to drive customer upgrades.
“Our goal has always been to create products that our customers love, and making iPhones last as long as possible is an important part of that.”
If you happen to have one of these handsets, then you can download iOS 11.3 public beta. But the final version of iOS 11.3 won’t be released until spring, Apple said.
“Users can now see if the power management feature that dynamically manages maximum performance to prevent unexpected shutdowns, first introduced in iOS 10.2.1, is on and can choose to turn it off,” said the company.
Developers can get access to the programme from developer.apple.com, and the rest of the public can access the beta preview by visiting beta.apple.com.
It explained that “iOS 11.3 will be available this spring as a free software update for iPhone 5s and later, all iPad Air and iPad Pro models, iPad 5th generation, iPad mini 2 and later and iPod touch 6th generation”.
Speaking to the BBC, tech analyst Ben Wood said the “battery performance issues have become a concern for a lot of consumers”.
He explained that the firm has come “under regulatory scrutiny” and that it’s understandable Apple is “trying to offer as many options to consumers as possible so they can decide the best way to maximise the battery life on iPhones”.