Why Apple won’t need to throttle iPhone 8 or iPhone X so severely

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iphone x
iPhone X won't be hit with severe throttling.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple won’t need to throttle the performance of iPhone 8 or iPhone X so severely as they age.

Its latest devices use more advanced hardware and a different power management system that allows iOS to avoid unexpected shutdowns without having to cap processor performance.

Apple has received a lot of criticism for the way in which it manages aging iPhone batteries. Without making it clear to iPhone owners — and without giving them a choice — the company throttles processor performance on aging devices with degrading batteries.

This helps ensure that your iPhone doesn’t run out of juice too quickly during processor-intensive tasks, but it also means your device won’t feel as snappy as it once did.

Apple alters power management

Apple may not need to do this with iPhone 8 or iPhone X, however. In a support document outlining the new Battery Health features in iOS 11.3, Apple explain how its latest handsets are different.

iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X models use a more advanced hardware and software design that provides a more accurate estimation of both power needs and the battery’s power capability to maximize overall system performance. This allows a different performance management system that more precisely allows iOS to anticipate and avoid an unexpected shutdown.

As a result, the impacts of performance management may be less noticeable on iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X. Over time, the rechargeable batteries in all iPhone models will diminish in their capacity and peak performance and will eventually need to be replaced.

All batteries degrade

Even though iPhone 8 and iPhone X won’t feel the full impact of performance throttling, they will still need servicing when their batteries get old. Every lithium-ion battery chemically ages over time and this reduces the amount of usage in between charging.

If you never get your battery serviced, then, there will come a time when performance has to be adjusted. Apple says that more extreme forms of power management can bring effects like longer app launch times, lower frame rates while scrolling, lower speaker volume, and more.

Fortunately, those with an iPhone 7 or later in need of a new battery can currently take advantage of Apple’s battery replacement program. For just $29, you can get a brand new battery that will restore the best possible performance without sacrificing usage times in between charging.

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