Here’s how Apple plans on making your old iPhone faster with iOS 12

During the WWDC 2018 keynote, Apple finally introduced its latest software with iOS 12. While the rumors were debunked about combining iOS and macOS, there were still a lot of new features shown off.

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• Apple reveals iOS 12: Performance Improvements, Screen Time, and more
• Most exciting announcements from WWDC 2018

However, one major feature isn’t really a feature at all. Instead, Apple confirmed that iOS 12 would be made compatible with the same devices as iOS 11.

This means that the iPhone 5S, launched in 2013, will be receiving the same update as the iPhone X. On the iPad side of things, the original iPad Air and iPad Mini 2 will also be updated to iOS 12.

iOS 12 Performance Enhancements

To say that iOS 12 focuses on performance is something that is more than welcome. The company shared that iOS 12 will offer the following improvements:

• Up to 70% faster swipe to Camera
• Up to 50% faster keyboard display
• Up to 2X faster app launch under heavy workload

These are all fine and dandy if you’re talking about the iPhone X or iPhone 8. But if you are looking at a 5-year old device, it’s just downright impressive.

Additionally, iOS 12 also makes it possible to slow down the CPU to maximize battery life. This is already done in some capacity, but will be further enhanced with the latest software release.

How does it work?

Apple claims that this increased performance will be detected through the software. From there, the processor will be ramped up or slowed down allowing your device to focus on the task at hand.

Pinpointing how hard the processor will work allows Apple to continue supporting these older devices. It’s unlikely that iOS 13, when released next year, will follow the trend, but only time will tell.

What devices are compatible?

So we have already talked about how the iPhone 5S is one of the oldest devices to receive the update. However, the list is rather surprising and staggering of all iOS 12-compatible devices:

• iPhone
  • iPhone X
  • iPhone 8/8 Plus
  • iPhone 7/7 Plus
  • iPhone 6S/6S Plus
  • iPhone SE
  • iPhone 6/6 Plus
  • iPhone 5S
• iPad
  • iPad Mini 2
  • iPad Mini 3
  • iPad Mini 4
  • iPad Air
  • iPad Air 2
  • iPad (2017)
  • iPad (2018)
  • iPad Pro
• iPod Touch (6th Generation)

The list is rather extensive and impressive thanks to Apple bringing support to these older devices. Time will tell regarding just whether this update will prove to be as worthy as previous iterations.

One thing to make note of was one of the first bits mentioned by Craig Federighi, SVP of Software Engineering. Since the launch of iOS 11, more than 80% of iPhone users have updated to the latest version. On the Android side of things, only 6% of users have updated to Android Oreo, the latest version.

Conclusion

Although the first iOS 12 developer beta has been released today, we are expecting even more improvements to come. Apple has to work with developers to get all of the bugs worked out, but once iOS 12 hits prime time everyone will be pleasantly surprised.

Sound off in the comments and let us know what you think about iOS 12 and what your favorite feature is!.