Last year's iPhones benefit from a controversial limitation feature after all.

With iOS 12.1, Apple has brought its controversial feature of "Performance Management" (also called regulation) to the iPhone 8, 8 Plus and the iPhone X. This feature dynamically strangles the phone's processor while that its battery degrades over time to prevent the handset from operating randomly. stop – it can be disabled if you wish. Earlier, Apple had told US senators that "hardware updates" meant that the feature was not as necessary on its new phones.

The company has always maintained that all of its products include a "fundamental performance management" feature to protect its components. A support page explaining the feature mentioned the following about iPhone 8 and later devices:

iPhone 8 and later use a more advanced hardware and software design that provides a more accurate estimate of power requirements and battery capacity to optimize overall system performance. This allows a different performance management system that specifically allows iOS to anticipate and avoid an unexpected shutdown. As a result, the effects of performance management may be less noticeable on iPhone 8 and later. Over time, the rechargeable batteries of all iPhone models will decrease in capacity and peak performance and may need to be replaced.

However, with the release of iOS 12.1 yesterday, this same support page has been updated discreetly with the following elements (with added emphasis on showing new devices):

In addition, users can see if the Performance Management feature that dynamically manages maximum performance to prevent unexpected shutdowns is enabled and can choose to turn off … This feature applies to iPhone 6s, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Starting with iOS 12.1, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X include this feature, but performance management may be less visible due to their more advanced hardware and software design.

This practice of strangling older devices has recently resulted in a fine of 5 million euros for Apple in an antitrust case brought by the Italian Competition and Market Authority, the Market and Competition Authority (AGCM) ). Apple was opposed to Apple slowing down its phones without informing customers or giving them the option to revert to an earlier version of the software.

All recently added models dating back to a year or more, we still do not know what impact battery degradation will have on them. But it is not surprising that Apple has seen fit to tackle it. There is no way to prevent battery aging, but at least you'll be in control of how your phone handles their outage.