Connect with us

Apple

iOS 8.0.2 on iPad mini with Retina: Impressions & Performance

Published

on

Last week, Apple pushed out two new iOS 8 updates aimed at fixing iOS 8 problems. Apple first rolled out an iOS 8.0.1 bug fixer for iOS 8 problems. Then, just 24 hours later, Apple released a new iOS 8.0.2 update aimed at fixing iOS 8.0.1 problems. With all that in mind, we want to take a look at how the iOS 8.0.2 update is performing on the iPad mini with Retina Display, Apple’s current 7.9-inch iPad.

Earlier this month, after a lengthy stint in testing, Apple released the iOS 8 update for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. As expected, the iOS 8 update delivered a number of big time changes including improvements to the Photos app, iMessage, battery usage, accessibility, and more. While iOS 8 isn’t the massive overhaul that was iOS 7, it’s an important upgrade to the iOS operating system.

Over the past week and a half, we’ve spent quality time with the iOS 8 update for the iPhone and iPad and like many of you, we ran into some initial bugs and issues. iOS 8 problems have been prevalent in the days after the initial iOS 8 release, so much so, that they prompted Apple to roll out two brand new iOS 8 updates.

The first was iOS 8.0.1, an update that rolled out on last Wednesday and one that immediately caused problems for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users. Cellular connectivity died for thousands of users and Touch ID stopped working. Apple claims that about 40,000 people were affected before it pulled the plug on the update about an hour or so after its arrival.

A day later, Apple made good on its promise to fix those issues. In the late afternoon, 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. We immediately installed the update across several iPhones and iPads in an effort to deliver feedback to your iPhone and iPad users.

We’ve already taken a look at the performance on several devices and here, we want to take a first look at the iOS 8.0.2 update on the iPad mini with Retina Display, Apple’s current iPad mini.

Installing iOS 8.0.2

I didn’t have any problems getting iOS 8.0.2 on the iPhone 5, iPhone 6, or iPad Air so I assumed that I would not run into any problems when installing it on the iPad mini with Retina Display. My instincts were correct.

The iOS 8.0.2 update for iPad mini with Retina Display is a small update and one that took approximately 20 minutes to download and install on the smaller iPad. This falls in line with what I experienced on the iPad Air and the iPhone.

iPad-mini-Retina

You’ll need to be plugged in or have at least 50% of your battery to install it but once you meet all of the requirements, you shouldn’t have any trouble getting this update to install because Apple’s servers aren’t under a ton of pressure. Smaller updates like iOS 8.0.2 don’t get as much attention as major updates and thus, we see fewer problems.

I’d still set aside a few minutes, especially if you haven’t made a recent backup of your files, but installing iOS 8.0.2 shouldn’t eat up your day. This is a small bug fixer and not a massive upgrade like the iOS 8.0 update from earlier this month.

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. After spending some quality time with the iOS 8.0.2 update for iPad mini with Retina Display, here’s what I’ve found.

Apps

While I had a ton of app problems after installing iOS 8.0 on the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4s, those problems did not emerge for my iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina Display. Apps were working fine in iOS 8.0 and they’ve been working fine inside iOS 8.0.2 as well.

iPad-mini

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google Chrome, Netflix, Spotify, Soundcloud, Google Maps, Google Hangouts, Pandora, The Weather Channel App, and YouTube are working fine on the iPad mini with Retina Display. Angry Birds Space, Kingdom Rush, and Tiny Wings seem to be working fine as well. I haven’t noticed any drops in performance or random crashes. Those seem to only be affecting the iPhone.

If you are dealing with iOS 8 app crashes on your iPad mini with Retina Display, try updating your applications. Developers are slowly releasing iOS 8 compatibility updates that should help to fix at least some of the issues that you may be dealing with.

iOS 8.0.2 Battery Life

I didn’t notice any battery life issues when using iOS 8.0 and I’m not seeing any inside iOS 8.0.2 either. iPad mini with Retina Display battery life is still very, very solid inside Apple’s new iOS 8 update and I haven’t stumbled upon any abnormal battery drain or slow charging issues, two issues that often affect iPhone and iPad users after installing these types of software upgrades.

If you are experiencing abnormal 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 unofficial fixes, your mileage will vary. These fixes have, in the past, worked for us.

Connectivity

I own an AT&T LTE iPad mini with Retina Display so I can’t speak for other networks. What I can say is that AT&T LTE, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are both working as they should inside iOS 8.0.2. I’m able to pull down fast speeds on public and private networks, on AT&T’s network, and I was quickly and efficiently able to connect to several Bluetooth speakers to play music via Spotify.

I’ve never had any issues with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth though if you are dealing with Wi-Fi issues inside iOS 8, have a look at our potential fixes. They aren’t cure all fixes but they could potentially dislodge some of the issues that you’re facing in iOS 8.0.2 or below.

iOS 8.0.2 Bugs & Issues

In the last week and a half , I’ve run into a series of issues with iOS 8. iOS 8 problems are prevalent amongst iPhone owners and unfortunately, I’ve run into some problems of my own. Those problems though have been limited to the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4s. The iPad mini with Retina Display is running very smooth and I’ve yet to encounter any of the same issues on Apple’s iPad.

iPad-Mini-3

The iOS 8.0.2 update appears to be very stable for an initial bug fix update though bugs typically show themselves in the days, weeks and even months after release. I should point out that my iOS 8.0 experience on my iPad mini with Retina Display was virtually flawless. I saw a few app crashes in my week with the software but I did not encounter the same random weirdness I saw on the iPhones.

I expected to weed out a few bugs in the future but for now, all is well.

Speed

As I’ve noted many times. iOS 7 was fast on the iPad mini with Retina Display. iOS 7.1 was fast on the iPad mini with Retina Display. iOS 8 was fast on the iPad mini with Retina Display. So it’s not surprising to find that iOS 8.0.2 is also fast on the iPad mini with Retina Display as well.

While iOS 8 is having issues on the iPhone 4s, I’ve yet to experience any abnormal sluggishness or slowdown on my iPad. The 64-bit A7 processor is holding up nicely and the performance is as good as it was in the hours and days before the release of iOS 8.0.2.

Should You Install iOS 8.0.2?

If you’re dealing with iOS 8.0 issues, it’s probably worth the install. My iOS performance on the iPad mini with Retina Display hasn’t gotten a noticeable performance boost out of the iOS 8.0.2 updates but that’s not a problem because it was running great on iOS 8.0. It also helps that I’ve yet to encounter any catastrophic bugs or issues inside Apple’s new update. Right now, it appears to be very stable.

iPad Tips and Tricks - iPad mini

If Apple’s iOS 8.0 or iOS 7 update is running flawlessly on your iPad mini with Retina Display, you might want to consider waiting. Apple never forces you to install and update and if you’re nervous, you could always wait a few days or a few weeks to see how the update is performing over a much longer stretch.

We’ll bring you are full review in the near future.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Jason

    09/30/2014 at 10:43 am

    Numerous problems still not fixed with the 8.02 update on the iPad mini… Music won’t delete when using ‘delete’ button and that in turn leads to hang and eventual crash… Many apps stick then revert back to ‘home screen’ – especially annoying is the newsstand app, magazines won’t swipe to next page should you glance back to some other app… C’mon Apple get a grip and fix this!!!

  2. Frank

    10/01/2014 at 1:32 am

    I installed ios 8.02 on my iPad Air and Safari crashes and I cannot update my Apps on my iPad I have to have it connected to my Mac, this is very frustrating. I must say Apple has dropped the ball on this rollout it feels almost Windows like, the shabby way they put this out to the public, I am extremely disappointed.

  3. Helena bunn

    10/01/2014 at 4:59 am

    I’m also extremely disappointed as thought I had to install iOS 8.02 on my iPad, not having any problems with previous settings, but now I lost possibility of using my iPad in horizontal position, which was always most preferable way for me. Now I cannot use it other way than a upright position. Maybe someone could help me. I was trying with settings but didn’t find any solution.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.