My foray into iOS was an iPod Touch 4th gen. in early 2012. I was so impressed with this device that I switched to an iPhone 4S, bought an iPad (3rd generation), and a Retina MacBook Pro. I upgraded the iPod Touch to iOS 6 the day the update arrived in the cue. I was extremely pleased with the performance of iOS 5.1.1 on this device that I didn't hesitate. I spent that evening acclimating myself with the features of the latest iOS version to find it leaving much to be desired on this device. I was so disappointed in the crashes, lag, stutters, and overall bugginess of iOS 6 on the iPod Touch, that I held off on updating all of my other devices. As of today, my 4S and "New" iPad (3rd gen.) are still running iOS 5.1.1. I've noticed that iOS 6 on the iPod touch has improved slightly with the subsequent updates, but am still leery. I've read a lot of forum posts about the iOS updates taxing legacy hardware over the years - iOS 5 on the 3G for example. My rationale for keeping 5.1.1 is that it was optimized for the hardware profiles of the 4S and "New" iPad; back in the day when they were the latest and greatest. iOS 6 is optimized to get the best performance from a more powerful set of specs e.g. the iPhone 5 and 4th generation iPad. Is my rationale flawed? I'm interested in "New" iPad and 4S users experiences with iOS 6 on these devices. Doe's anyone flat out regret the update? Has anyone noticed an improvement in performance over iOS 5.1.1? Is the difference negligible? I'm considering the update as I fear that when iOS 7 rolls out, I'll be marooned in obseleteville if iOS 6 is no longer signed. Furthermore, I'm tired of being accused of "voiding the warranty" of my iDevices every time I contact a developer with an issue. Has anyone else out there opted to stick with 5.1.1. for the same reasons I've listed? Thanks in advance to all who participate.
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To Update or Not to Update 5.1.1 to 6.X.X (4S & iPad3)
- Thread starter culb0743
- Start date
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I updated my iPad 2 to ios 6 and I absolutely hate it for one specific reason - the App Store in ios 6 is a disaster. My wife was smart enough not to do the update and hers still looks great. Basically, pre-ios 6, if you clicked on an app in the App Store to read about it, you got the entire page filled with the information. It looked like a web page. Now you get a pop-up box that is 2/3 the size of the screen and it is much more difficult to navigate with much less information on it.
I wish I had never done it, but I guess I'm out of luck. Then again, I'm glad I did it so my wife could see what a disaster it is and stick with 5 on her iPad 3.
I wish I had never done it, but I guess I'm out of luck. Then again, I'm glad I did it so my wife could see what a disaster it is and stick with 5 on her iPad 3.
The iPhone 4S and iPad 3 are perfectly capable of handing iOS 6 so you shouldn't have any performance problems. I'm running iOS 6 on my 3GS and even that runs pretty well. The main issue with iOS 6 is that it's just not a very useful update. They took away a few features like Google Maps and the built in YouTube app, and like the last poster said, they changed the App store and iTunes store layout, which a lot of people hate. It all comes down to preference I guess. The most useful feature I got out of iOS 6 was iCloud tabs (allows you to share safari tabs between different iOS devices). I personally wouldn't update, your not really missing out on much.
Yes it's things like the Safari iCloud tabs and the Do Not Disturb feature that I read about and think "maybe it would be worth a slight drop in performance". But then I think how fumed I got when I learned there was no way to downgrade back to 5.1.1 after 6 ravaged my iPod touch.
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Yeah, I remember until iOS 6.0.1 was released, my iPod touch would crash out of the App store every single time. Thanks for your replies. Glad to know I'm not the only one who deliberately chooses to stick with 5.1.1.
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Yeah, I remember until iOS 6.0.1 was released, my iPod touch would crash out of the App store every single time. Thanks for your replies. Glad to know I'm not the only one who deliberately chooses to stick with 5.1.1.
I felt the EXACT same way after iOS 6 was released last year. I didn't make the jump with my 4S, largely because of the "Maps" fiasco. I didn't want to part with Google Maps, and there was really nothing about iOS 6 that stood out for me.
I mean, with iOS 4 we got multitasking & folders, with iOS 5 we got cloud services (iMessage) and notification center, with iOs 6 we got...Maps & passbook.
When iOS 6 was released, my lady did the same thing you say you did - updated her iPod Touch 4th gen - and yeah it was limited and it ran slow. But that is 100% due to the hardware limitations, as an iPod Touch 4th gen does not have the same amount of RAM nor does it have the same processor as the iPhone 4S.
I finally did update because the apps I have were all receiving updates to optimize them for iOS 6. As I kept updating apps for iOS 6 optimization, my 4S began to lag, because I was still on 5.1.1.
So, during the weekend of Thanksgiving, I finally took the plunge and updated. I have not looked back since. Maps/Turn-by-Turn actually works GREAT and I absolutely love Do Not Disturb mode. I can leave my phone on my nightstand when I go to bed, and don't have to worry about getting woke up by a late night or early AM phone call.
The re-designed app store is actually BETTER, in my opinion. One, because it is easier to navigate and, two, because it automatically notifies me when I have app updates available.
The good thing about the 4S is that it can take full advantage of iOS 6. There is/was NO feature that was left out. People with a 3GS and a 4 or an iPod Touch 4th gen, or an iPad 2 will be limited, but those with a 4S or a 5 obviously will not be limited.
I say go for it. I'm happy I did.
I mean, with iOS 4 we got multitasking & folders, with iOS 5 we got cloud services (iMessage) and notification center, with iOs 6 we got...Maps & passbook.
When iOS 6 was released, my lady did the same thing you say you did - updated her iPod Touch 4th gen - and yeah it was limited and it ran slow. But that is 100% due to the hardware limitations, as an iPod Touch 4th gen does not have the same amount of RAM nor does it have the same processor as the iPhone 4S.
I finally did update because the apps I have were all receiving updates to optimize them for iOS 6. As I kept updating apps for iOS 6 optimization, my 4S began to lag, because I was still on 5.1.1.
So, during the weekend of Thanksgiving, I finally took the plunge and updated. I have not looked back since. Maps/Turn-by-Turn actually works GREAT and I absolutely love Do Not Disturb mode. I can leave my phone on my nightstand when I go to bed, and don't have to worry about getting woke up by a late night or early AM phone call.
The re-designed app store is actually BETTER, in my opinion. One, because it is easier to navigate and, two, because it automatically notifies me when I have app updates available.
The good thing about the 4S is that it can take full advantage of iOS 6. There is/was NO feature that was left out. People with a 3GS and a 4 or an iPod Touch 4th gen, or an iPad 2 will be limited, but those with a 4S or a 5 obviously will not be limited.
I say go for it. I'm happy I did.
So you're saying that you noticed an improvement since going to 6.X.X from 5.1.1? That's good to know; I have family and friends who have a 4S and when I asked them about the pros and cons, I got a "well, I don't know; I don't notice any problems- I don't know". I'm really starting to feel tempted. I too have a slew of apps that I can't update any further due to retaining 5.1.1 and on a number of occasions I've bought apps that I can't use for the same reason. I really hate going to App Store support and explaining the situation to get a refund. Thanks.
I recommend not updating - much worse battery life
Hi, i have an iPhone 4S and an iPad 2 (with cellular). Both are/were on iOS 5.1.1 until last week. As my iPad has started crashing Safari sites more and more in the last couple of weeks (no idea why) I decided to upgrade to OS 6.1.3 a week ago.
The result:
I am glad I did not upgrade my iPhone and will not do so because less than a day battery life (which seems inevitable with the upgrade) would be really impacting its usefulness.
Hope this helps.
Hi, i have an iPhone 4S and an iPad 2 (with cellular). Both are/were on iOS 5.1.1 until last week. As my iPad has started crashing Safari sites more and more in the last couple of weeks (no idea why) I decided to upgrade to OS 6.1.3 a week ago.
The result:
- Positive: Safari loads faster and doesn't crash anymore and VIP function in Mail is helpful.
- Negative: significantly less battery life. I would say at least 30-40% less. Even when going into airplane mode over night I have trouble getting through 2 days with the iPad without charging (and that's with wifi on for most of the time instead of cellular). Before at least 3-4 days.
I am glad I did not upgrade my iPhone and will not do so because less than a day battery life (which seems inevitable with the upgrade) would be really impacting its usefulness.
Hope this helps.
I don't think iOS 6 has that much effect on battery life, your iPad probably has some kind of bug. You should try doing a restore and see if that fixes the problem.
Hmm, thanks for your feedback. I checked the forum about battery life and it does seem that iOS 6 has a negative effect on battery life for many users. And all the tricks, even resetting, didn't seem to help.
But I might give it a try.
Unfortunately if you look at battery related threads for essentially any release (be it iOS 6.1 or iOS 6 or iOS 5.1 or iOS 4.3 or etc.) you will see people complaining about poor battery life. There are always those who have battery issues (and/or those who think they do) with pretty much any iOS update (or even without it).
Update if you feel like doing so. I have an iPad 3 too, and there wasn't any difference before and after iOS 6 (while there was a massive difference in my iPhone 3GS between iOS 4 and iOS 5). I don't think I have ever used any of the iOS 6 new features, but it doesn't hurt the iPad 3. Battery is the same as it has always been.