Apple acknowledges poor battery life in iOS 5 devices, says fix is coming “in a few weeks”

Ian Hardy

November 2, 2011 5:54pm


Many users who have updated to the new Apple iOS 5 and the iPhone 4S – a device that by now has sold well over 4 million units – have reported poor battery life. Many were blaming the new software, to the virtual-always-on-assistant Siri and the new processor. Today, in a statement to AllThingsD, Apple has acknowledged the battery issue and said a bug fix is coming in a “few weeks”. No other details were gives to the timing, or how users can improve their battery life.

“A small number of customers have reported lower than expected battery life on iOS 5 devices… We have found a few bugs that are affecting battery life and we will release a software update to address those in a few weeks.”

Update: It looks like the fix will be coming in the iOS 5.0.1 release. This was just handed over to developers in beta form and the changelog states that it includes “Fixes bugs affecting battery life”.

Source: AllThingsD & The Verge

  • Nobel

    Ahem!!!

    • Android lover

      The phone now is like a Android phones, big deal. 8 hrs is still better than any Android I used. So many fandroids on this site makes it g*y!!!

    • Sub-Joker

      @Android lover,

      while your statement is true to a certain extent, the poor battery life is an issue found on older androids (like the ones 1 or two years old). New android phones (especially from Samsung and Motorola) are having great battery life.

      Im using the samsung infuse right now and the battery lasts me a couple of days on regular use, and when I use it hard it takes one and a half day to drain.

      In the end, it’s not about what the competition. it’s about stepping backwards. apple products usually have long lasting batteries. when the phone has the same battery life of the MacBook Air, you know something wrong is happening.

  • jb

    Its Hardware. The software update will not solve this issue.

    • acwyau

      How can it just be hardware if iPhone 4 users that upgrade to iOS 5 are having the same issues? Let’s see…battery lasted over a day with iOS 4.3.5, upgraded to iOS5 and I’m barely getting 10 hours…must be an hardware issue.

  • Big Red Angry Bird

    “A small number of customers have reported lower than expected battery life on iOS 5 devices… We have found a few bugs that are affecting battery life and we will release a software update to address those in a few weeks.”

    Wow talk about bullshit. 1 in 2 people apparently is a small number.

    • Miles

      “A small number of customers have reported lower than expected battery life on iOS 5 devices… ”

      Don’t try to be a smartass. This doesn’t mean a small number of people are experiencing it. A small number REPORTED it.

    • Big Red Angry Bird

      People really don’t appreciate it when others insult their intelligence. Apple is disrespecting it’s customers here when they know more than a “small amount” have complained/reported/posted on a forum about their iPhone.

    • boojay

      The sheep seem to appreciate it though

  • Cave Man

    You’re using the battery of your phone wrong! … words we won’t have the chance of hearing

  • Lucas

    The battery is fine……..your just holding the phone wrong =P

  • Big Red Angry Bird

    “It just works.”

  • Domingo

    Question, Apple, what were you doing when you weren’t noticing the battery “bugs” while it was being supposedly tested?

    • Apple Rep

      Suing other companies!

  • Nascar39

    See what happens when you get drunk at a bar and leave the demo tester to get stolen?

  • tiago

    Whenever a new operating system is released, it’ll use more battery regardless. The problem is hardware and the fix will be like a “battery saver” and will make the phone run slower. Good job Apple…….

  • Peter
  • John

    LOL Apple.

  • Tony

    Just turn off 3G turn off wifi then lower brightness. If that doesn’t work your just gonna have to buy a portable charger.

  • iDonkey

    Well! if it’s a software problem, its must be from Microsoft, if it’s a hardware problem its must be from Samsung. It took Apple ONLY 16 months to update just one phone, so don’t blame Apple. Got da love it.

  • wow

    how about 100$ of free apps…….won’t happen…

    • Apple Rep

      We’re going to give away our infamous worthless rubber bumpers for your phones! Did I mention it’s worth A WHOLE $30!!!??

  • K

    I’m actually surprised that Apple admitted the problem. The only other time that I remember was the antenna, and that was after the infamous “you are holding your phone wrong” line. I guess the issue was serious enough for them to admit that a *small* number of people reported the issue. However, I think Apple’s idea of “small” is very different from ours.

  • Dan

    Even with a battery drain problem, it lasts longer than my android phone… damn…

  • human

    Well, at least they fix their problems :s

  • Stuntman

    Apple got a lot of flack a year ago with they way they dealt with the iPhone 4 issue. I find it refreshiing that this time, they acknowledge there is an issue and that they will fix it.

  • Hugh Gerection

    Ha! Apple’s going down. Watch iphone sales evaporate. Here’s RIM’s chance to get back in the game. Too bad BBX won’t be ready for Christmas.

    • Brent M

      RIM is going to be completely finished by the time BBX is suppose to come out.

      Even WP7 is starting to do better than BB is.

  • Larry

    Why do you guys knock Apple?Steve Jobs took Apple who was 90days away from bankruptcy and made it into the worlds most profitable company.Ahead of Exon Mobil.If you don’t like it don’t buy it.Apple has a great reputation and brand reckignition thanks to Steve Jobs.

    • jruregbhemktmjr

      Do you actually think brand recognition makes a good product/company? Do you remember Enron?! Recognizable but they were a huge scam!
      And if you only buy a product because people will recognize it maybe apples marketing has worked on you

    • iDonkey

      Jobs who? Ah! you meant scumbag Jobs right!

    • W B

      @Larry … In 1997, Microsoft rescued Apple with a $150 million investment that saved it from the brink of bankruptcy. Steve Jobs happened to be the CEO (again), after being previously fired from Apple. I don’t think they would have recovered without the ‘bailout money’.

  • ActivesiN

    their marketing is great…their phones are average

  • jon

    Apple had a patent on poor battery life…This way they can sue any user who has to charge their phone more than once a day.

  • MARS

    Steve must be spinning in his iGrave.

  • Jesse

    At least Apple actually releases a fix for it.

  • SHAWN

    Love the droidtards flooding comments on this.

    Its funny how when all the articles with droid problems show up they are so quiet

    • Bearz

      Seriously, I have no qualms diss’in an Android if it is actually giving me issues! My two year old Android has terrible battery life because I have had 3 software updates. However if I am purchasing a new device for $700+ I expect improvements not detriments. Many of us “Droidtards” do not hesitate to point out issues. I think you have drawn a line in the sand son. Let the EPIC Cell Wars begin. Let take a bite out of Apple. Oh wait…there pretty good at shooting themselves in the foot, lets instead sit back with some popcorn and watch them fail.

  • Slype

    This really does change everything. again.

    Now I can expect sloppy and poorly QA’ed software from Apple as well shatter+ glass coverings. I also love how much work went into the design of the iPhone 4s. You must have hired the top designers to come up with such a revolutionary phone and it only took you 16 months!

    Thank you for lowering the bar Apple because now Bada has a chance.

  • Brent M

    I used to have a nexus S, and it had the same battery life as the iPhone 4S, if this fix make any improvements at all to battery life, i will be impressed.

  • George

    I bought an iPhone 4S three days ago, but I haven’t seen this battery problem. Hopefully, I won’t experience this issue.

    • George

      When I went to bed last night my iPhone 4S’s battery was at 70% and when I woke up this morning it was still at 70%. So I guess I’m lucky that I haven’t run into this problem so far.

      I’m new to smartphones (had a feature phone before) so perhaps I may run into this battery issue once I use my new phone more fully.

  • hurrdurr

    Step 1: Have iPhone 4S
    Step 2: Get a Galaxy S dues
    Step 3: ???
    Step 4: Profit

  • Demetrius

    What I love most is the big deal that Apple has made regarding Siri, a feature available in the android market for well over a year AND that can find local restaurants in Canada and around the world. Yet Apple users truly believe this is a feature worth shelling out another $800 to upgrade from their 4 to a 4S. Suckers!