Not everyone needs to upgrade their iPhone with the newest software.
During its Wonderlust event on Tuesday, Apple also unveiled the Apple Watch Series 9, the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra, and the iPhone 15 series. They also revealed the release date for iOS 17. On Monday, September 18, everyone with a compatible iPhone will be able to download iOS 17. But does having it available automatically imply you should download it to your phone?
In this article, I’ll look at a few reasons why you might want to hold off on updating to iOS 17 for the time being and let others test it out first.
If you’re certain that you want iOS 17, learn how to download it when it becomes available and explore all the fascinating options and features you may find in iOS 17’s secret settings.
Your iPhone battery might drain faster than usual
Battery drain happens to some folks pretty much every year following a significant software upgrade like iOS 17, but there isn’t really a single common cause.
If your battery health level is already in bad shape (Settings > Battery > Battery Health), you might want to refrain from updating to iOS 17 for a bit.
Here are a couple of reasons why iOS 17 might be draining your battery:
- Your phone is working overtime in the background. New features, such as the improved search feature in Messages or Live Stickers for your photos, may need to index your files to work properly.
- Your apps don’t support iOS 17. Developers are given plenty of time to update their apps to the latest iPhone software, but if they don’t, the apps could drain more battery because they’re outdated.
Of course, there is also the minuscule possibility that software flaws are robbing you of battery life covertly.
Even if you wait for later iOS 17 updates, you can still see some power depletion during the first few days. However, this usually goes away once your iPhone adjusts to the new software.
Your older iPhone might get really slow
Even though iOS 17 is compatible with your iPhone, there is no guarantee that the new operating system will function without any issues. Due to limited storage, inadequate RAM, or an outdated processor, an older iPhone model, like as the iPhone XS or iPhone 11 Pro, may find it difficult to meet iOS 17’s requirements.
You might encounter bugs that can cause issues on your iPhone
No matter how well-polished a software update may appear, certain flaws will inevitably remain. Because of this, Apple occasionally publishes a “point update” soon after a big upgrade to address problems like:
- Battery drain.
- Lag.
- Apps force-closing.
- Phone restarting.
- Unusable features.
If you’re worried that you might experience problems like these, you might want to hold off until any potential serious bugs are fixed in later iOS 17 upgrades.
You might not get all the new iOS 17 features you want anyway
The new features won’t be available on every iPhone running iOS 17, notably older models like the iPhone XR and iPhone 11. The following are some of the capabilities that not all iOS 17-compatible devices can use:
- Hand reactions in FaceTime: iPhone 12 and later.
- FaceTime on Apple TV: iPhone XS/XR and later.
- Improved autocorrect: iPhone 12 and later.
- Predictions inline as you type: iPhone 12 and later.
You might want to avoid installing iOS 17 if any of these features were something you were looking forward to but can’t utilize on your older iPhone.
For the most part, you should probably update to iOS 17
Regardless of whatever reservations you might have, if you decide to take the plunge, there are many benefits to simply updating to iOS 17 now. In addition to all the new features you could enjoy, Apple’s significant software updates might resolve bugs and other problems from earlier versions.
Major upgrades, however, introduce new privacy and security options that enhance security and better safeguard your personal information in addition to fixing concerns.
On iOS 17, you have a few major privacy and security features to look forward to:
- Sensitive content warning: You can toggle on a setting to blur sensitive photos and videos sent to you. This feature works in Messages, AirDrop, Contact Posters, FaceTime messages and third‑party applications.
- Improved permissions: Applications let you choose which photos you want to share in-app, while the rest of them are kept private. Also, an application can add an event to your calendar without being able to see your other events.
- Expanded Lockdown Mode: The new and improved Lockdown Mode increases security to help protect you against more-sophisticated cyberattacks. It even works on your Apple Watch now.
And then there are all the new accessibility features, which can be incredibly beneficial to those with disabilities:
- Personal Voice: An AI feature that allows you to clone your voice and use it via type-to-speak to communicate with others.
- Assistive Access: Simplifies everything on your phone, making it easier to use.
Comments are closed.