I’ve been using an iPhone as my primary device since 2020 because of the next-level battery optimization on iOS. In the past few years, the best iPhones have been my go-to suggestion for anyone looking to buy a phone with the best possible battery life.
But iOS 16 has changed that for the worse. After using Apple’s latest software on my iPhone 13 Pro Max, my battery anxiety has returned. And I hate every bit of it.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max helped me bid goodbye to my battery anxiety. But that was on iOS 15. The latest versions of iOS 16 have been a mess for me, and the operating system has ruined the best part about my iPhone – the battery optimization.
I realized later that the problem was not the 14 Pro’s battery size, but it was iOS 16’s poor battery optimization.
Soon after it launched last year, I bought the iPhone 14 Pro, but returned it within a month because of the inconsistent battery life. I expected it to be less long-lasting than my
I realized later that the problem was not the 14 Pro’s battery size, but it was iOS 16’s poor battery optimization. I only realized this when I noticed that the latest OS updates had compromised my
In January, I switched to the iPhone 14 Pro Max in hopes of getting a phone that would last me an entire busy day. But after a month of use, I’m severely disappointed. The battery life on the latest iPhone is no match for 2021’s top-end iPhone.
In the past month, I’ve traveled to quite a few places, so I was mostly on the move. As a result, I found myself using Google Maps, Uber, and other commuting apps. I discovered that any app using location services on iOS 16 sucks the battery life out of my phone.
For instance, I had to catch a 10 a.m. flight last week. I took my phone off the charger at 6 a.m. and had a 100% charge. By the time I landed in Delhi at 2 p.m., the phone was down to 35%, which was a surprise because I was listening to music on Spotify offline in airplane mode on the flight. Looking for cabs on Uber drained the battery even further, causing me to end up with about 20% charge by the time I was home at 3:30 p.m. I wasn’t even on 5G! All of this is based on LTE usage.
In my experience, there is no consistent battery life behavior to be pointed out. Sometimes, Spotify drains the battery, while other times, it is Twitter (two of my most used apps). But the battery drain on any app using location services is the worst on iOS 16. These apps include Maps, commuting services,
I’ve also noticed poor standby battery drain on the
Several people have taken to public platforms to reveal that they’ve been experiencing bad battery life since the latest iOS 16 updates. The update was so bad for one iPhone XS user (with a new battery installed about a week ago) that they went back to iOS 15.7. The iOS 16.0.3 update was an improvement, but the succeeding updates have been bad.
“After updating my 5-month-old (iPhone) 13 Pro to iOS16.1, i began to experience HORRIBLE [screen-on time],” says another Reddit user who found a solution on the Apple discussions website, but it wasn’t a one-time fix. The battery drainage returned with the iOS 16.2 update. Digital Trends’ Senior Mobile Writer Andy Boxall, had a similar experience with iOS 16.2. The mix of Wi-Fi and 4G took at least 40% of the battery each day for him. “iOS 16’s efficiency is all over the shop,” he said. It continues to be a problem on iOS 16.3 for me.
Another iPhone user took to Reddit to see if the iOS 16 battery life was bad. “iOS 16.1 still feels like beta software to me,” says one of the replies, and I agree. While Apple has worked to fix the bugs, iOS 16.3 isn’t the best when it comes to battery optimization. It’s been fine for some people, but the update has been a big disappointment for me and many others.
I’m now testing the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. I’ve been consuming media, scrolling through Twitter and Instagram, and listening to songs. Based on my initial use, the latest Samsung flagship seems to be the next battery king.
However, I’ll restrict my verdict on the battery life until I use it on LTE with my SIM in it, which I plan to do this week. It’s disappointing to see the iPhone have such a far fall from grace, but unless something changes with iOS 16 — and soon — it looks like it has lost its battery grip.
You’ve probably never seen an iPhone case like this before, and there’s a very good chance you’ve never used one like it before, either. It’s the Oceanic+ Dive Housing, and it seals your iPhone in a pressured environment to keep it safe so you take photos deep underwater without risking damage. What’s more, it turns your iPhone into a dive computer, and it works alongside your Apple Watch Ultra or Apple Watch Ultra 2.
You may be familiar with Oceanic+, the app that turns the Apple Watch Ultra into a dive computer. It’s being updated to version 2.0, and along with a suite of new features comes compatibility with the new Dive Housing. Put your iPhone inside it, and an automatic vacuum pump starts to seal it safely inside, a process completed after a few minutes and various leak tests. It’s then ready to be taken underwater to a depth of 60 meters and controlled using the Bluetooth-connected physical buttons on the case.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro (left) and iPhone 15 Pro Max Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has the best camera on an iPhone ever. At least, that’s how Apple made it sound during the launch event, so is it true? To rightfully claim this title, it doesn’t need to beat the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or any other Android phone; it needs to beat the iPhone 14 Pro. Until very recently, it had the best camera on an iPhone ever.
“How the hell did this photo put my DSLR click to shame,” said a fellow reporter after we captured a few night mode shots of a dark valley. The conversation happened soon after we crossed the world’s highest motorable road, the Umling La Pass, at an elevation of 19,300 feet above sea level.
I used the iPhone 14 Pro to capture the images below, and my friend had a Sony DSLR mounted on a tripod to click a long exposure shot. It was never meant to be a comparison between a phone and a DSLR. We all know where that conversation goes. A majority of elements that are visible in the photo were nearly invisible to the naked eye, which makes it even more impressive.
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