And so the cycle continues. While
Yes, the woeful battery problems of iOS 11 are disappearing. There were some positive signs in iOS 11.2.5, but checking in with my regular sources and scanning social media and Apple’s Support Communities website reveals iOS 11.2.6 has by far the most positive battery life feedback of any iOS 11 release.
Despite a handful of early complaints, there has been no acceleration in battery issues reported by users to Apple. In fact, @AppleSupport on Twitter must be in a state of shock as I count just six iOS 11.2.6 battery life complaints in the last 24 hours and none in Apple Support Communities. By contrast, previous releases have seen such complaints register in the thousands.
Needless to say, Apple is not listing ‘battery life doesn’t suck anymore’ as a feature since solid battery life should be something buyers of iPhones and iPads can assume. But make no mistake, there has clearly been a lot of work going on behind the scenes.
And makes these improvements all the more important is the upcoming release of iOS 11.3.
This is the big one. iOS 11.3 gives users control over their iPhone performance to the detriment of their battery after the company U-turned on making performance throttling mandatory in response to battery wear and tear. With the iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus already protected, reducing severe battery drain on all iOS 11 smartphones will result in less charging and therefore less wear. This all makes the ‘Performance’ option introduced in iOS 11.3 more reliable.
Furthermore with iOS 11.3’s performance control having some shortcomings ‘by design’, signs Apple has got to the bottom of its battery woes could not be better timed.
Sadly, however, these improvements are not enough for me to recommend you upgrade to iOS 11.2.6. Its bad habit of removing the battery icon for some users makes it a deal breaker. But as long as Apple addresses this, it seems iOS 11.3 has a foundation which might just deliver the experience iOS 11 should’ve been all along…
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