Did a software update secretly slow down your smartphone?
In short: In 2017, Apple faced a massive scandal when it was discovered that the company had intentionally throttled the processors of older iPhones. While Apple claimed this was to prevent unexpected shutdowns caused by aging batteries, critics argued it was a calculated move toward planned obsolescence.
The controversy began in late 2016 after users reported their iPhones were shutting down unexpectedly. Apple initially attributed these issues to a small number of iPhone 6s devices but soon acknowledged the problem was more widespread. In January 2017, they released iOS 10.2.1, claiming it reduced shutdowns by 80% in iPhone 6s and 70% in iPhone 6 models. However, an investigation by GeekBench in December 2017 revealed that the update significantly degraded performance on older hardware.
Apple eventually confirmed they had implemented software controls to 'smooth out' instantaneous peaks when battery health declined. They argued that lithium-ion batteries lose the ability to supply peak current as they age or in cold conditions, and throttling was necessary to protect electronic components from sudden power loss. Consumers were outraged because they were not informed of these performance caps, leading many to believe their devices were being intentionally slowed down to encourage them to purchase newer models.
The fallout was significant: Apple faced 32 class-action lawsuits by early 2018 and eventually agreed to a $500 million settlement in California. They also paid $113 million to settle an investigation by 34 U.S. states and the District of Columbia regarding throttling transparency. While Apple maintains it never intended to shorten product life, the 'Batterygate' scandal remains a landmark case in the debate over planned obsolescence and corporate transparency.
Since then, Apple has introduced more transparent battery health information in iOS 11.3, allowing users to disable performance controls. Starting with the iPhone 11, they moved to a new management system that is always active based on current capabilities, removing the 'peak performance' state entirely.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Batterygate
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