Apple
iPhone 6 Plus iOS 8.1.3 Review: Two Weeks Later
Apple continues to deliver small, but important updates for the iPhone 6 Plus and after spending two weeks with the iOS 8.1.3 update it is time to share how it handles on the iPhone 6 Plus.
We are still waiting for other updates from Apple that will add important features and hearing rumors of an improved music service as Apple sets sights on bigger feature-filled updates.
Apple continues work on iOS 8.2 that will bring support for the Apple Watch and the company just announced an iOS 8.3 beta that delivers other key improvements for Apple Car Play and for users with a Google account. Rounding out the upcoming upgrades is the rumor of an iOS 8.4 release that will bring support for a new music streaming service that could but pressure on Spotify.
Here is what you need to know about the iPhone 6 Plus iOS 8.1.3 update.
The iOS 8 release in September brought a number of exciting features to the iPhone 6 Plus, and iOS 8.1 added Apple Pay soon after. In the last two months a number of smaller bug fixes arrived as Apple attempts to solve frustrating problems for iPhone and iPad users.
As we look to the near future, the iPhone 6 Plus is going to stick on iOS 8.1.3 until at least March according to the latest iOS 8.2 release rumors. There is no way to downgrade from iOS 8.1.3 to iOS 8.1.2 anymore, so you will be stuck on this version until Apple delivers another update. After two weeks of use and no major problems this isn’t something most users will need to worry about.
One important thing to remember is that there is no iOS 8.1.3 jailbreak and it is unlikely that we will see a new jailbreak until after the iOS 8.2 release date.
Here is a two-week iPhone 6 Plus iOS 8.1.3 review to help you decide if it is time to install this update on your iPhone 6 Plus.
iPhone 6 Plus iOS 8.1.3 Review: Two Weeks Later
After installing an update like iOS 8.1.3 that focuses on fixing specific problems and delivering performance improvements I test five important areas of the iPhone 6 Plus performance to make sure changes did not break key features. These five areas can change the experience of using the iPhone 6 Plus considerably if something goes wrong, which is why we share an initial impression, a review a week later an another look after spending more time with the update. Here are those key areas in more detail.
Apps
iPhone 6 Plus apps work fine on iOS 8.1.3.
We all use different apps on the iPhone, but after testing many of the best iPhone 6 Plus apps you can download I did not run into significant problems with any of them. This includes streaming movies and videos from Hulu Plus, Netflix, HBO Go and YouTube. I also tested Alien Blue, Facebook, Tweetbot and Facebook Messenger without any problems. Google apps like Hangouts, Google Maps and Gmail also work very well on iOS 8.1.3 on the iPhone 6 Plus. If you experience any trouble, make sure you update your apps to the latest versions.
Battery Life
After using the iPhone 6 Plus on iOS 8.1.3 for two weeks it is clear that this update did not alter the long battery life that I count on. Even after using the iPhone 6 Plus as a personal hotspot for two devices and or GPS directions for two hours the battery was above 80%, which was quite impressive. On days with more normal use, the iPhone 6 Plus battery life doesn’t come close to empty at the end of a long day. If you have issues, check out how to fix bad iOS 8.1.3 battery life.
Connectivity
Ever since I lost the ability to connect to LTE networks on the iPhone 6 Plus after a small update I pay very close attention to connectivity after updates like this. On iOS 8.1.3 I can connect to multiple WiFi networks and share my connection as a hotspot without any problems. The AT&T LTE connection is strong and fast, and Bluetooth can connect to headphones and a Bluetooth keyboard problem free.
Bugs & Issues
There are some iOS 8.1.3 problems, but it is not an issue for our review unit.
The iPhone 6 that I also use still exhibits some landscape issues where it will get stuck in landscape mode, but this problem is no longer present on my iPhone 6 Plus and the iOS 8.1.3 update did not bring it back to life.
Unlike the iPhone 6, which for some of our staff drops the WiFi connection, the iPhone 6 Plus is fairly bug free on iOS 8.1.3. Some users do report problems, but there are no show-stopping issues on our iPhone 6 Plus.
If you run into any bugs or issues, you can check out our common iOS 8.1.3 problems and fixes for help.
Speed
The iPhone 6 Plus is a fast device, which isn’t surprising considering it is very new. The iOS 8.1.3 update does not change the speed and performance of the iPhone 6 Plus at all. There is no need to worry about this small update slowing down your new iPhone 6 Plus.
Is the iPhone 6 Plus iOS 8.1.3 Update Worth Installing Now?
Should you install the iOS 8.1.3 update on the iPhone 6 Plus?
If you don’t need a jailbreak to enjoy using your iPhone 6 Plus, the iOS 8.1.3 update is one that many users can safely install without any worries.
For users who are on iOS 8.1.2 with multiple problems or annoyances, this is also a very good update to install without waiting any further. Although some problems can sneak into our phones long after installing the update the lack of any major bugs means the iPhone 6 Plus iOS 8.1.3 update is safe to install.
With the iOS 8.2 release on the horizon with support for the Apple Watch there is also the option to wait for the big update if you aren’t in need of any bug fixes that iOS 8.1.3 delivers.
NormB
02/12/2015 at 1:15 pm
I’d like to find the programmer who thinks it’s a good idea to start playing music from iTunes the moment your phone connects to your car and punch him/her in the nose. I had this problem with all the iOS versions on my iPhone 3 and 4S which were wired, but NOT the first few months I owned an iPhone. Didn’t happen. Then the OS changed. My iTunes playlist would start up right after I plugged in the phone. Then I got an iPhone 5S and a new car, new radio, and the problem stopped. I could connect via BlueTooth, listen to internet radio, talk on the phone, or listen to AM or FM while waiting for a call. This last OS upgrade? It’s back. That programmer must have been working for MS for a while, screwing up THEIR software. Now he’s back at Apple. So my phone used to start alphabetically with Joe Pass’ Aaron’s Song. Every time. I don’t WANT the iPhone to play ANYTHING when I connect with it though bluetooth, but it does, picking something at random. Sometimes, now, I’m listening to Radiobob.de and in the middle of a song, iTunes comes back on. I’ve checked settings. I’ve read the manuals. I’ve even gone into the Apple help forums, I’ve asked a “genius” at one of their stores, I’ve asked the radio manufacturer, you know who gets the blame? No one TAKES it, but they’re happy to place it at the feet of someone else. I don’t like this. I’ve decided I’m going with an Android phone next unless the problem goes away.