Ever since Apple’s iOS9 update was released in September 2015, users have enjoyed the increase in performance and the smoothness that the new OS runs at; however, users of the iPhone 4s have reported serious issues with iOS9 such as the screen space and a noticeable lag. With these issues restricting performance on an older phone, some users speculate that the update is a push by Apple for customers to upgrade to buying a new phone.
In a poll conducted by 9To5Mac.com, 43.3% (approx.14,340 out of 33,121) of voters have reported “My iPhone is significantly slower after the update.” Updating to iOS9 does add new features and could provide a better battery life for the phone; whether it slows down the phone or not is dependent on the phone. There are generally mixed reviews regarding the new OS on the 4s.
On December 29, 2015, Apple was charged with a class action lawsuit for $5 million for “deceptive trade practices and false advertising.” The plaintiffs claim that Apple knowingly pushed the update towards users without warning the significant drop in performance. Whether Apple had malicious intentions or it was just a mistake is unconfirmed, but the plaintiffs remain outraged at the choice of having a slow, buggy phone or resorting to buying a brand new one.