APPLE SAYS THAT it slows down some older iPhones due to degrading batteries.

Theories have often abounded that older phones would become obsolete automatically.

However, Apple says that the phones are slowed down to allow older batteries cope with processor demands. Apple said it is limiting how much power an iPhone processor can draw in certain circumstances, therefore limiting the processor’s peak performance.

The company says that it is not intended to slow down phones, it is to help prevent them from suddenly turning off.

The company told Business Insider:

Our goal is to deliver the best experience for customers, which includes overall performance and prolonging the life of their devices. Lithium-ion batteries become less capable of supplying peak current demands when in cold conditions, have a low battery charge or as they age over time, which can result in the device unexpectedly shutting down to protect its electronic components.

Last year we released a feature for iPhone 6, iPhone 6S and iPhone SE to smooth out the instantaneous peaks only when needed to prevent the device from unexpectedly shutting down during these conditions. We’ve now extended that feature to iPhone 7 with iOS 11.2, and plan to add support for other products in the future.

In some cases, older phones had tried to draw more power than the battery was capable of, forcing them to shut down.

Apple expects an iPhone to get three years of use.

Apple also says iPhones work best at room temperature, or between 0 and 35 degrees Celsius.

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