Nearly two weeks have passed since Apple pushed out its
third iOS 8 update, an update that naturally is called iOS 8.0.2. Over the past
week and a half, we’ve used up quality time with iOS 8.0.2 on iPhone and iPad
.Today, we want to help you answer that ever so important question: Is iOS
8.0.2 worth installing on iPhone or iPad?
In mid-September, the company released the iOS 8.0 update
for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch after a
stint in Apple’s beta program . As
expected, the iOS 8 update delivered a number of big time changes including improvements
to the Photos app, iMessage, battery usage, accessibility, and other. In
addition to these features though, it also delivered iOS 8 problems to iPhone
and iPad users.
We meticulous many of these problems in the hours and days
after the iOS 8.0 release date in our initial impressions and roundups.
Finally, these issues forced Apple to release a couple of bug fix updates in
iOS 8.0.1 and iOS 8.0.2.
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http://yllix.com/fullpage.php?section=General&pub=862494&ga=g
Apple’s first bug fix update was iOS 8.0.1, an upgrade that
rolled out in late September and one that instantly caused problems for iPhone
6 and iPhone 6 Plus users. Cellular connectivity died and Touch ID stopped
working for thousands of users around the world. Apple pulled the plug on iOS
8.0.1 and promised to issue a fix.
Apple made good on
its promise to fix those iOS 8.0.1 problems
just 24 hours later . In late September, Apple pushed out iOS 8.0.2, an
update similar to iOS 8.0.1 but one that came with fixes for those iPhone 6 and
iPhone 6 Plus problems. In spite of the arrival of Apple’s iOS 8.1 beta, iOS
8.0.2 remains the current iOS 8 update for iPhone and iPad users.
We carry on to get bombarded with questions about Apple’s
iOS 8.0.2 update, especially now that iOS 8.1 is out, and the most popular
question revolves around whether or not it’s worth a download. Today, we want
to help answer that question for you as we run down our experiences on top
iPhones and iPads as we offer you a best answer to one of the most popular iOS
questions: Is iOS 8.0.2 worth installing?
iOS 8.0.2 Review:
Over the past week and a half, we’ve spent a ton of
time with iOS 8.0.2. And while we’re sure, we should note that mileage is going
to vary from device to device, person to person. We probably don’t have the
same apps installed and there’s a good chance that we flow more movies, use
more LTE, and play more games than you do
iPhone 6:
iOS 8.0.2 on iPhone 6, as much as this, has been very solid.
As we noted in our review last week, we’ve stumbled upon some annoying issues
like getting stuck in landscape mode but core iOS features have been performing
well inside Apple’s brand new update.
In the car we’ve been experiencing Bluetooth issues when
trying to use iOS 8.0.2. This is a well documented bug inside iOS 8 and one
that Apple could fix at some point down the road given its importance. We’ve
also seen this problem on one iPhone 6 Plus model though not the other. It’s
strange to say the least though it does appear to be a widespread problem.
iPhone 6 Plus:
Our iOS 8.0.2 experience on the iPhone 6 Plus has been much not
as good as. The software continues to be problematic about a week and a half
after its release and iOS 8.0.2 did not fix some of the iOS 8 problems that we
stumbled into after installing the update in mid-September.
One annoying bug that we’ve seen across iPhones is an issue
that causes devices to get stuck in landscape model. The problems happens most repeatedly
on the iPhone 6 Plus. We should note that it was a problem inside iOS 8 as
well. Apps continue to freeze and crash on the iPhone 6 Plus in particular as
well. Just about every single app on our iPhone 6 Plus has frozen or lagged at
one point or another.
Luckily, just about everything else is working fine.
Cellular data, Wi-Fi, battery life, and speeds are all top notch inside iOS
8.0.2. For a more in depth look, have a look at our iOS 8.0.2 on iPhone 6 Plus
review.
iPhone 5s:
For the most part, iOS 8.0.2 on the iPhone 5s has been
solid. Battery life is good, it’s still running very smoothly, and over 50 apps
on board are all performing as they were inside iOS 8.0 and below. We have, though,
noticed issues with Bluetooth and the same landscape issue that’s plaguing both
the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
Those looking for more details regarding iOS 8.0.2's
performance on the iPhone 5s will want to check out our full review that went
up over the weekend. It will offer detailed insight into the things that iOS
8.0.2 does good and the things that iOS 8.0.2 does defectively.
iPhone 5:
iOS 8.0.2 on the iPhone 5 is performing surprisingly well.
Older devices typically falter after major updates so it was nice to see
battery life, connectivity and iOS 7's speed remain intact after Apple’s latest
update.
We’ve seen some abnormalities inside iOS 8.0.2 though
including keyboard lag, Mail app crashes, a random reboot out of nowhere, and
the landscape issues that we simply cannot run off.
iPad Air:
While we’ve been having a number of issues on the iPhone,
the iOS 8.0.2 experience on the iPad, particularly the newer iPads, has been a
lot smoother. The iPad Air’s iOS 8.0.2 update is running beautifully and it has
been a satisfaction to use over the past week and a half.
iPad mini with Retina:
Same goes for the iPad mini with Retina Display. It’s stable
and reliable and everything are all up to snuff. The review reads pretty much
the same as the iPad Air review but those still looking for more depth will
want to take a look at our full length review of the software.
iOS 8.0.2 Performance:
When it comes to the performance of iOS updates like
iOS 8.0.2, I like to look at five different areas in particular. Those areas
are: Applications and how they’re performing post update, battery life and
whether there is abnormal drain, random bugs or hiccups, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
performance, and overall speed
iOS 8.0.2 Battery Life:
My battery life in iOS 8.0.2 is about the same as it was in
iOS 8.0.1 and iOS 8.0. That is to say that it’s been absolutely fantastic. I
haven’t noticed any abnormal battery drain, slow charging, or any other weird
issues with the device’s battery.
If you are
experiencing strange battery life after installing iOS 8.0.2, you’ll want to
check out our iOS 8 battery life tips. These tips could help to alleviate iOS 8
battery life issues on your iPad mini with Retina Display going forward though,
as is the case with any private fixes, they might not solve them.
Connectivity:
I own an AT&T 4G LTE iPad mini with Retina Display.
After installing iOS 8.0.2, I’ve yet to run into any issues with LTE. Cellular
connectivity remains solid and stable. Same goes for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
I understand that Wi-Fi issues have plagued iOS for years
and I have no doubt that iOS 8 is causing some serious problems for some of
you. If you are experiencing issues with Wi-Fi you will want to check out our possible
fixes for those iOS 8 Wi-Fi issues. They aren’t a cure all but they have worked
out well for iPad owners in the past.
If you’re experiencing Bluetooth issues, try resetting your
network settings. Just make sure to back up you files before you do because
there’s a chance that you could lose some in the process.
Speed:
iOS 8.0.2 is really fast on the iPad mini with Retina
Display. I haven’t seen any abnormal slow down at all and the operating system
is very fluid. Animations and transitions are still crisp and the experience is
on par, if not better, than what I saw with iOS 7
Should You Install iOS 8.0.2?
All of that sets up our response to your burning question about whether or not it’s worth installing iOS 8.0.2 at this time.
If you own an iPad Air or an iPad mini with Retina Display, you’re probably going to be in the best shape. Both of those iOS 8.0.2 updates are running very smoothly and we haven’t stumbled onto anything major in our week and a half with the software. If you’re having a terrible experience with iOS 8.0 or below, iOS 8.0.2 is probably worth an installation.
The update is in the beta process and it’s
release date has been rumored for mid-October.