Ars Technica has done some field tests using an iPhone 4s running iOS 8. Although the operating system runs decently, there are definitely some drawbacks that might stop iPhone 4s users from hitting update right away.
As shown in the chart, the OS performs more slowly across the board when opening apps. Safari took almost twice as long to launch, when compared with iOS 7.1.2. Camera took 1.8 seconds on iOS 8 versus 1.5 on 7.1.2. Just upgrading adds an extra 3 seconds onto boot time, although that is done so infrequently on an iPhone it probably doesn’t matter. In addition to slower app loading, it’s important to note that iPhone 4s users can’t benefit from every single feature.
Like with iOS 7, AirDrop is unavailable. However, as Handoff relies on the same Bluetooth/WiFi communication mechanism that AirDrop uses, that is also not usable by iPhone 4s owners. The modern graphics frameworks introduced at WWDC, OpenGL ES 3.0 and Metal, are also not available as the GPU is too old. Ars also points out that enhancements like QuickType simply take up too much room on the cramped 3.5 inch display of the 4s. Although it ‘works’ on the device, there are definitely some areas of the operating system where Apple is clearly designing for the larger displays of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6.
As with all new software upgrades, some performance hit should be expected. New features are more computationally intensive. That’s an unavoidable truth.
If you are happy with the reliability and performance of your iPhone 4s as it stands today, you might want to wait out iOS 8 for the time being. Usually, Apple follows with bug-fix updates that drastically help performance on older hardware. On the other hand, upgrading to iOS 8 still does unlock a wide variety of features to you (for free, let’s not forget) and the performance slowdowns aren’t that severe. It’s just important to be aware of the tradeoffs before you rush to hit that Software Update button.
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you would think it would be faster … kinda of strange
The 4S is lacking the necessary hardware to perform as fast as later iPhones.
However, the differences in speed seem rather tiny to me and I wonder if a 4S owner who upgrades (and hasn’t read this article) would even notice the difference.
No, that’s typically not the case with major software upgrades. It’s the smaller ones that bring improvements to performance.
it might be faster only on the latest devices. you can’t expect it to be faster than it already is. If that was the case, iphone 4 would faster with ios7 than it was with iOS 5.
Yeah.. my iPad second gen is really being sluggish with iOS8.. I did however, update.. maybe a clean restore will help with speeds..
With the exception of a cold boot, these times are fractions of a second. Without being told you waited 0.3 seconds longer for a task your brain would probably not even perceive it.
Exactly.. but it makes for a good sensationalized blog, so here we are typing about it. OMG .03 SECONDS.. errr wait.
I like how he says in the article that it takes 3 seconds longer instead of .3 seconds.
I like it too, especially since according to the table provided, 39.8 seconds – 36.4 seconds = 3.4 seconds.
Apple is making the same mistake that Microsoft did. Bloatware and Increasing complexity. Still using iOS6 here and very happy.
Wait, what’s wrong with 4s bluetooth? It’s bluetooth 4 LE, like every other new bluetooth. Also, if i remember correctly, airdrop don’t work because of wifi chip and bluetooth have nothing to do with it.
Yeah, agree that was incorrectly worded. Changed.
what about iphone 5?
I upgraded my 4s when the Gold Master came out almost a week ago, and it nearly crippled my device. I don’t know about these “fraction of a second” complaints—at the point, I’m restarting the device hourly. Sure it’ll work well on the newer phones and tablets but on the 4s? YIKES.
I still have the fear in me after installing the OS 4 update that killed my 3g and there was no way to get it back.
I think my 4g is already getting killed on my 4S, might be because of the OTA updates for IOS8 already but im running 7.1.1 with no plans to upgrade.
I always had the feeling apple has code in ios to slow down you device a bunch of weeks before a new iphone is released: My iphone 5 has had TERRIBLE battery performance the last week, and seriously, an ios update should not SLOW DOWN your pc. seriously. even microsoft does it right (most of the time)
i mean an ios update should not slow down your phone. like with microsoft, new windows does not perform worse than the previous version, usually.
Why? so we always buy the latest and gratest.
god I hope your trolling.
I’m actually more interested in the battery life. I guess I’ll find out this week after I upgrade my 4S today.
It seems that the iPad Mini and iPad2 are also affected negatively. According to another test.
where is this test about the mini?
Wouldn’t iOS 8 still be running all the debug info in the background since it is not officially released?
Are F***ing kidding me?????? U lead article off with this chart…. U do realize most of the time differences are less than one seconds… U blink that fast!!!!! I think the very minute in lag times is insignificant, and not worth starting off an article!! C’mon bro
you can always for iOS 8.1 /s
Oops, I mean wait for iOS 8.1
Anyone else having problems with their 4g in the past day or two?
In my real world usage it hasn’t been bad. I’ve been running iOS 8 on an iPhone 4S for months and though I’ve mainly used it for app development, overall usage has been nothing causing me to gripe.
The performance hit doesn’t feel significant from my personal experience. The biggest drive for me to jump on iOS 8 is its Wifi Calling support and I am a T-Mobile customer. Although, I have had no luck so far for the Wifi Calling option to show up with the latest GM and 17.1 carrier updates. Anyone knows if this would be a feature gets left off on 4S?
T-Mobile didn’t sell the 4S, so it isn’t supported.
It’s certainly unpleasant when a software upgrade slows down your older device, but you either lump it, go back to the older OS or get a newer device. Bitching isn’t going to change anything because that how almost everything in the world works. The new supersedes the old. Get over it. I don’t see any practical way of getting around this unless Apple were to offer modular iPhones where users could order newer processors or some other components for their older smartphones. But of course we know Apple would never do that and that’s why they seal their smartphones as tightly as possible. Just learn to accept the inevitable. Move forward or get left behind. Be glad you don’t have an Android device that may never see a single major upgrade.
My iPhone 4s feels slightly slower with iOS8, but not as cumbersome as this post says. I believe there are different compilations for each iPhone model — just as there are for other iDevices.
Ridiculously minimal performance reduction. Nonsense article.
I read this article very carefully, and gave it serious consideration, but as soon as I saw that update I was like “FULL SPEED AHEAD AND DAMN THE TORPEDOES!”
But to be fair I’m not really using the 4S anymore. I’m just checking out iOS8 in preparation to dump the Samsung.
Also remember that by going into your preferences you can change the speed to load up on some of the items and apps simply by turning them on or off this helps systemwide because generally if you turn the coating off iOS 8 won’t have to search through it to open up an app
what the fuck? English please.
I really hate these larger phones. I’m so thankful for my 4S because it fits in my pocket. I’d love to upgrade to a 6, but even the 5 is too big. ETA on some company releasing a new SAT Phone.
After upgrading my iPhone 5 to IOS7 and losing 40% of my battery capacity (went from having 10 full hours of usage in the settings app to having a maximum of 6 ~ 6:30 hours) I completely lost faith in IOS upgrades.
Apple makes it in such a way you are forced to buy the newer phone every damn year. No, thanks, I’m sticking to my IOS7.
hi I have a iPone 4s and I have uppgradeed to IOS8, after that the bluetoth do not connect with new units using blutoth, any ide why not? my iPad4 and ipadAir works fine wirh IOS8
WARNING TO ALL!!! i updated my 4s to the latest ios 8 –> result : my perfectly working phone that had served me well for YEARS had crashed. apple care genius bar and support cant do anything with it. had to get another phone.