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iOS 7.1.1 on iPhone 5s: Impressions and Performance

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The iOS 7.1.1 update is finally available for the iPhone 5s and other Apple devices as a free over the air download that promises to fix an important security issue, improve Touch ID and several other bugs. After spending a day using iOS 7.1.1 on the iPhone 5s here is an early look at the performance and my first impressions.

This is a small update to iOS 7 that does not bring the visual changes and features that iOS 7.1 did earlier this year and that Apple delivered to all users with the iOS 7 release last September. This is the first update to the iOS 7.1 software that Apple delivered in March, and it is one that many users should look at installing.

When the iOS 7.1 update arrived it fixed many lingering iPhone 5s bugs including random restarts, Touch ID problems and some other issues, but it didn’t fix every iPhone 5s problem. iOS 7.1 is a very stable update, but users with Touch ID problems and who need the latest security fixes should consider updating to iOS 7.1.1.

See how the iOS 7.1.1 update performs on the iPhone 5s.

See how the iOS 7.1.1 update performs on the iPhone 5s.

As there was no iOS 7.1.1 beta for developers this release and the various fixes are new to all users. Apple ramped up testing of iOS 7.1.1 internally before offering the software to the public, and after a week of rumors delivered the iOS 7.1.1 update to users.

The iOS 7.1.1 update for the iPhone 5s is a small update, that is only about 26MB in size and with targeted fixes, but it is a good idea for many users to wait a few days before updating in case the update brings any bugs that can impact connectivity or battery life.

In this early iOS 7.1.1 review we’ll look at how this small, but important update runs on the iPhone 5s that Apple released in September 2013.

iOS 7.1.1 Installation on iPhone 5s

It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to install iOS 7.1.1 on the iPhone 5s. The update downloaded very fast over a WiFi connection, but after the download the iPhone needs to verify that update file before rebooting the iPhone to install iOS 7.1.1. I did not experience any timeouts or long waits like many users did with iOS 7 last fall and due to the small size it did not matter that my iPhone is nearly full. You will need to enter your iPhone passcode to complete the update.

The iOS 7.1.1 update on the iPhone 5s installed easily and runs good so far.

The iOS 7.1.1 update on the iPhone 5s installed easily and runs good so far.

I performed the iOS 7.1.1 update over the air, or OTA. This downloads the update directly to the iPhone and installs it without the need to plug into iTunes. It is a good idea to backup before doing this just in case anything goes wrong. Users can also plug into iTunes on any computer and perform an update.

iOS 7.1.1 Performance

The iOS 7.1.1 performance is a big deal for many users. The speed part of performance is not usually an issue for the newest iPhone, but there is always a chance of battery life problems, bugs or connectivity issues that can sneak into even a small update. After installing iOS 7.1.1 on the iPhone 5s i checked a variety of applications, ran through several test calls and checked connectivity on multiple WiFi networks and over LTE in various places to see if any problems are evident. Below I break out the iOS 7.1.1 performance on the iPhone 5s.

Touch ID

Apple says iOS 7.1.1 fixes another Touch ID problem.

Apple says iOS 7.1.1 fixes another Touch ID problem.

After using Touch ID over the last 24 hours there is not a major difference in when the system will read fingerprints. I am now setting up Touch ID again to make sure that any previous issues do not carry over, so I will be able to judge if performance degrades over time on the latest software.

Apps

Right after installing iOS 7.1.1 on the iPhone 5s I had to leave my home office for a busy afternoon of appointments which meant I needed to rely on the iPhone 5s more than on a typical day.

Throughout the last 24 hours I tested several of Apple’s built-in apps like the camera, FaceTime, iMessage and Safari on iOS 7.1.1 and did not experience any issues with these first party apps.

I also used a variety of third-party apps like Convo, Trials Frontier, Alien Blue, YouTube, Facebook, Hangouts, Gmail, Tweetbot, Nest, Facebook Messenger and many others without an issue.

It’s not surprising that there are no iOS 7.1.1 app compatibility issues considering this is a small update, but it is something I tested to be sure.

iOS 7.1.1 Battery Life

So far the iOS 7.1.1 battery life on the iPhone 5s is as good, if not better than on iOS 7.1 on the iPhone 5s for me. With a similar amount of phone calls and WiFi or LTE usage my iPhone 5s battery is delivering longer life than on iOS 7.1.

After being off the charger for about six hours I still have 76% battery life on iOS 7.1.1 and normally I would be in the 60% battery life left at this time.

Obviously battery life will vary from user to user depending on calls and apps, but so far the iOS 7.1.1 update is

iOS 7.1.1 Bugs and Problems

Even small updates like iOS 7.1.1 can bring problems for some users. At this point I am not experiencing any iOS 7.1.1 problems or bugs, but it is still early.

Some users report iOS 7.1.1 problems with Siri, WiFi passwords, random restarts and several other issues are mentioned on Twitter, but it is not clear if the problems are widespread.

Connectivity

After updating to iOS 7.1.1 on the iPhone 5s I tested the phone on 4G LTE, 3G and WiFi. The phone performed well in most locations. The only place I experience issue is at my house where it is apparent that there is an issue with Verizon coverage that results in a lot of dropped calls.

Overall iOS 7.1.1 did not appear to change my ability to connect the iPhone 5s to cellular and WiFi networks.

Speed

After installing iOS 7.1.1 the iPhone 5s performance is the same as it was on iOS 7.1. I did not notice an improvement or any slowness after installing the update, which is to be expected on a small bug fix update on the latest Apple iPhone hardware.

Should You Install iOS 7.1.1 on the iPhone 5s?

For most users it is a good idea to install the iOS 7.1.1 update today. There are no iOS 7.1.1 problems evident at this time and there is a promise of improved Touch ID performance as well as an important security update.

Most users can install the iOS 7.1.1 update for the iPhone 5s without worrying.

Most users can install the iOS 7.1.1 update for the iPhone 5s without worrying.

Users that are jailbroken should avoid this update, just like the iOS 7.1 update before it as there is no iOS 7.1.1 jailbreak at this time and there may not be one in the works.

For other users that are concerned about iOS 7.1.1 battery life problems or other bugs, it is OK to wait for a full iOS 7.1.1 review to see if any problems pop up for myself or for large groups of early updaters.

8 Comments

8 Comments

  1. Jimmyp p

    04/24/2014 at 7:59 am

    After update, I keep getting kicked of a game called order and chaos online. Loss in connection. Players that had updated also had the same issue, every few minutes. Those that did not update have had no loss of connection.
    Tested app on wifi, 3G, multiple accounts and iPad 4, iPad min. Also rebooted router and devices.

  2. Fuken

    04/25/2014 at 8:43 am

    Ever since I updated my 5s to 7.1.1, it feels slower, often there is a slight delay between touch and action. Especially when I unlock the phone (it is indifferent to the unlocking method (e.g. TouchID or passcode)): if I touch an icon, it goes gray and sometimes after a ~second it recognizes this as a long press. Very annoying.

    • kyr

      04/26/2014 at 4:08 pm

      had the same problem. went from 7.04 to 7.1.1 and noticed lag before every app, compared it with my iPad mini that is 7.04 and is faster,

      my wife’s phone also shares the same problem.

      not sure if this is a 7.1 issue as well since I came from 7.04 and skipped 7.1.

      I wish I could downgrate, my phone is not as snappy as before. :(

      • walty

        04/29/2014 at 3:37 am

        I’ve noticed exactly same laggy behavior that wasn’t there in 7.1.

    • reza

      05/13/2014 at 8:06 pm

      I have same problems…what should we do?

  3. Marlon

    04/25/2014 at 6:10 pm

    After updating i can’t use my facetime. Anyone have the same problem?

  4. DJ

    04/29/2014 at 3:19 pm

    The primary issue I am seeing after 7.1.1 update is battery drain. I am not even getting more than 14hr of standby with light to medium usage.

    The main cause might be WiFi connection acquiring. I have noticed it’s not connecting my home WiFi automatically, even same at office. At office I have unprotected WiFi which doesn’t need password.

    Most of the time it doesn’t connect WiFi automatically. I have select.

    Due to this, may be iPhone is trying to continuously trying and failing to join WiFi which impacting battery life.

    • reza

      05/13/2014 at 7:59 pm

      I have got problem since updating my 5s to ios7.1.1
      I have serious problem with dictation and also switching between apps,for example when i run viber(just updated after ios 7.1.1) it take a while to update and show new messages,
      another thing, sometimes my touch screen doesnt work for twice or three times to switch between pages in home(i meen between apps on the screen)

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