BUSINESS NEWS
People say older iPhones have already started ‘acting up’
Dalvin Brown
USA TODAY
Published 11:33 AM EDT Sep 12, 2019
Apple admitted in 2017 that it deliberately slowed down older iPhones to protect aging batteries.
The tech giant addressed the issue with a software update and battery replacement program, saying in a statement that it “never – and would never – do anything to intentionally shorten the life of any Apple product.”
But people on Twitter are still skeptical. They say their older Apple devices began conveniently “acting up” soon after the tech giant announced the iPhone 11 earlier this week.
“So, of course I’m suspicious that yesterday’s Apple announcement killed my current iPhone. It just stopped working. Awesome,” Twitter user @ZarduBen wrote.
“The new iPhone was just announced and my phone randomly stopped working,” user @secondhandcurls tweeted.
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“After the iPhone 11 came out my iPhone microphone stopped working I hate you @Apple,” Twitter user @khxnfidential said.
There has been a long-held conspiracy theory that Apple creates devices that are built to die in a practice known as “planned obsolescence.” The theory suggests that after new products are released, the manufacturer intentionally messes with your device, which forces you to upgrade.
Whether Apple practices the theory or not, its latest iOS 13 update will leave some iPhones and tablets behind. The older devices will still work, but they’ll miss out on security updates, which makes them more vulnerable to hacks.
So, if you have an iPhone 6 or older, you may want to look into newer models.
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So, why is my phone ‘acting up?’
Apple’s website lists several reasons why your iPhone’s performance may be lagging over time, and one of the main causes is aging batteries.
“All rechargeable batteries are consumables and have a limited lifespan – eventually their capacity and performance decline so that they need to be replaced,” Apple says on its website. “As batteries age, it can contribute to changes in iPhone performance.”
Apple temporarily dropped the price of its battery replacement program in 2018 after its slowing batteries raised concerns. People say the new batteries breathed new life into their struggling older iPhones.
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“My iPhone 6 Plus still going strong,” wrote Twitter user @Lezzley. “Just needed to replace the battery and it works like a charm.”
If you want an updated iPhone, preorders for Apple’s newest line-up start on Sept.13, with online and in-store availability set for Sept. 20.
Is your older iPhone being weird? Let Dalvin Brown know on Twitter: @Dalvin _Brown
