Did Apple's software update fix your iPhone battery?

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Did Apple's software update fix your iPhone battery?

Saturday, November 12, 2011 ANSOR No comments

Applea

By Rosa Golijan

As promised, Apple released iOS 5.0.1 — an update to its iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch operating system — on Thursday. This particular software update supposedly included a fix for bugs affecting iPhone battery life. But did it really change anything? Are iPhone batteries around the world magically fixed now?a

Yes, no, and maybe — it's a bit too soon to tell.a

Based on the experiences of several msnbc.com writers as well as their friends and family members, things appear to be fine dandy after iOS 5.0.1. Most are average to heavy iPhone users and still manage to get at least a day's charge out of their devices. The update, if anything, slowed an already tolerable battery drain rate.a

But that's not the case for everyone. A look at posts in Apple's Support Communities suggests that many still feel that their iPhone batteries are draining far too quickly — and some even believe that the issue became worse after the iOS 5.0.1 update.a

How is it that different individuals are seeing such different results? Well, for starters: We've all got different settings, apps, and iPhone usage habits. Those alone would account for significant differences in battery life. (Not to mention that some folks may be using little tricks — which apply even after the update — to extend battery life.)a

Live PollHow's your iPhone battery life after iOS 5.0.1?a

Significantly better!Worse. Way worse.It's as bad as before.It's fine -- it was never bad to begin with.What's iOS 5.0.1? I haven't updated my iPhone yet!VoteView Results167415Significantly better!13%167416Worse. Way worse.11%167417It's as bad as before.20%167418It's fine -- it was never bad to begin with.28%167419What's iOS 5.0.1? I haven't updated my iPhone yet!28%VoteTotal Votes: 236a

And of course there's the fact that iOS 5.0.1 was publicly released just yesterday. That means many folks barely had time to fully charge and discharge their iPhones (meaning that they didn't take them all the way from 100 percent to zero). And that's the only way you can really tell how well things are going — not by glancing at your screen and screaming because the battery percentage dropped since the last time you looked.a

However, there may be other issues afoot, glitches with certain devices that are causing exceptionally bad battery life, and that's something we'll watch for in the forums in the coming weeks.a

No matter how you're judging your battery life though, we want to hear about your experiences. Vote in the poll on the right or tell us in the comments below. Did Apple's software update fix your iPhone battery? How have things changed?a