iOS 7 file difference

[cave1238]

Anyone know why the OTA download is a much smaller file than the download through itunes, is the OTA leaving something out?

 

[Tyler23]

Anyone know why the OTA download is a much smaller file than the download through itunes, is the OTA leaving something out?

OTA download only includes the code that has changed, through iTunes it downloads the entire OS. Nothing is wrong, it's fine and working just the way it should.

 

[Intell]

The OTA contains only the differences between the the current firmware and the new one. The IPSW contains the complete firmware.

 

[cave1238]

So is any way better than the other?

 

[Intell]

The IPSW way is slightly better. It has the option of completely cleaning the device, has better error management if something happens during the update, the files are slightly more uniform in the iOS software, and it can be more stable than the OTA update.