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iPhone 6 Plus iOS 8.1.3 Review

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The iOS 8.1.3 update is arriving as a notification on many iPhone 6 Plus and other devices this weekend with bug fixes and other small updates as Apple continues a push to deliver a better iOS 8 experience on the new iPhones. After using the iOS 8.1.3 update on the iPhone 6 Plus for almost a week we can share our experience with the performance of this small, but useful update.

The iOS 8.1.3 update arrived last week for all devices running iOS 8, and it is likely the last small update before Apple releases iOS 8.2. The iOS 8.2 beta is in progress and it is expected to arrive in March or April ahead of an Apple Watch release.

Apple’s track record with iOS 8 updates is improving, but we like to take a close look at even the small updates like iOS 8.1.3 to make sure that there aren’t big problems hidden alongside the fixes and features. Overall the iPhone 6 Plus iOS 8.1.3 review is positive, but there are important things to consider.

Should I install the iPhone 6 Plus iOS 8.1.3 update?

Should I install the iPhone 6 Plus iOS 8.1.3 update?

The iOS 8.1.3 update breaks the ability to jailbreak the iPhone 6 Plus. If you rely on jailbreak tweaks and iOS 8 themes on Cydia to customize your device, do not install this update.

Read: iPhone 6 Plus Tips & Tricks

If you accidentally upgraded, you can still downgrade iOS 8.1.3 to iOS 8.1.2 until Apple closes that loophole. This could happen early this week, so if you need to go back, now is a good time to do so.

This is our iPhone 6 Plus iOS 8.1.3 review after a week of use on the large device. Keep in mind that not every iPhone reacts to updates the same way and apps, services and home network hardware can play a role in how good an update performs on each device. Read on to find out if you should install the iOS 8.1.3 update on the iPhone 6 Plus.

iPhone 6 Plus iOS 8.1.3 Review

The iPhone 6 Plus iOS 8.1.3 update delivers a small update for the large iPhone that closes the jailbreak but otherwise doesn’t impact the security of the update. I carry the iPhone 6 Plus and a handful of other devices with me each day, and after installing an update like this I use that device more so that I can check the performance after an update.

Read: iOS 8.1.3 Update Guide

This iPhone 6 Plus iOS 8.1.3 review is a general guide to the performance on this iPhone. We also take a look at the iOS 8.1.3 performance on other devices including older ones like the iPhone 4s that are often more troublesome. The iOS 8.1.3 experience can vary from one device to the next, so keep that in mind as you decide if you should install iOS 8.1.3 on your iPhone 6 Plus.

The iPhone 6 Plus app performance is solid on iOS 8.1.3.

The iPhone 6 Plus app performance is solid on iOS 8.1.3.

Apps

I did not run into any problems with iPhone 6 Plus apps after installing iOS 8.1.3. Right after installing the update I updated all of my apps that had notifications in the App Store. Often this can fix any problems by bringing the latest app bug fixes to the iPhone as well. The test includes Netflix, Amazon, Facebook, Google Hangouts, Alien Blue HDE OTP, My Fitness Pal and others included in our best iPhone 6 Plus apps roundup.

Another key thing is that there are no landscape issues on the iPhone 6 Plus, like I saw on earlier updates. These sometimes return several weeks after an update, so I will continue to watch for problems.

iOS 8.1.3 Battery Life

The iPhone 6 Plus iOS 8.1.3 battery life is unchanged from before the update. Even with a day of heavy use the iPhone 6 Plus battery is rarely empty unless I am using it in poor coverage or with the screen at full brightness. If you experience any issues, check out iOS 8.1.3 battery life guide.

WiFi, Cellular Data & Bluetooth

Last fall a small update knocked out the cellular connectivity on the iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6, which is one of the reasons we test these updates with so much scrutiny. The iOS 8.1.3 update did not break WiFi, Bluetooth or Cellular. I did need to re-pair a Bluetooth headset, but a Bluetooth keyboard remained connected. The iPhone 6 Plus also continues to function as a personal hotspot.

There are some iOS 8.1.3 problems, but it is not an issue for our review unit.

There are some iOS 8.1.3 problems, but it is not an issue for our review unit.

Bugs & Issues

Some users are reporting a variety of iOS 8.1.3 problems, but the iPhone 6 Plus iOS 8.1.3 experience is one with no major issues. I will continue to watch for landscape issues, but don’t expect any major surprises at this point.

Speed

The iPhone 6 Plus is a brand new phone that is incredibly fast, and the iOS 8.1.3 update does not change that. While small updates may slow down an older phone, the iPhone 6 Plus is as fast as it was on release day. Apps open fast, multitasking is snappy and there is no lag.

Is iOS 8.1.3 for iPhone 6 Plus Worth Installing?

The iOS 8.1.3 update is worth installing on the iPhone 6 Plus for most users.

The iOS 8.1.3 update is worth installing on the iPhone 6 Plus for most users.

The iOS 8.1.3 update is worth installing on the iPhone 6 Plus unless you need to keep your jailbreak. It is still a good idea to make sure that you investigate any potential app issues if you use the iPhone 6 Plus for work, but this small update is safe to install.

For users without any problems, there is no strong need to update to iOS 8.1.3, and you can just as easily wait for the iOS 8.2 release in early 2015. If you are having problems on your iPhone 6 Plus, there is a chance that the iOS 8.1.3 update will fix it, and you may want to install it now.

7 Awesome iPhone 6 Plus Cases

Spigen iPhone 6 Plus Cases

Spigen iPhone 6 Plus Cases

If you need an affordable iPhone 6 Plus case, Spigen is one of the best options you will find. Spigen offers a wide variety of iPhone 6 Plus cases from super thin to protective options and even a few iPhone 6 Plus wallet cases. 

The company also offers an iPhone 6 Plus case with a kickstand, which is an excellent way to easily use that big screen for movies, videos and FaceTime.

 Check out all of the Spigen iPhone 6 Plus Cases on Amazon starting at $7.99. 

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. carolina

    02/02/2015 at 4:34 am

    i cannot set up now my voicemail … instead i click on voicemail and it sends me to this lady to click my password …i click on voicemail and cant see the voicemail or cant delte it

  2. Larry

    02/02/2015 at 8:48 am

    I feel for you Carolina same thing here and location arrow never goes off also when you turn it off it automatically goes back on even if you set apps never to use it, I think I’m going to android or something Apple gets worse every update and every new iOS get worse every year iOS is the same as last year just a bigger screen androids had that for years and Apple says the biggest thing ever?? Going to Samsung note 4 finally convinced Apple sucks!! And sick of limitations to iPhone the Samsung you can do more and I work at a major cell carrier and we tested the note 4 v/s apples iPhone 6 + and Samsung beat it apples cpu of 1 gb ram does not keep up with samsungs 4 gb cpu ram speed good riddance over priced Apple

  3. josh mills hater

    02/02/2015 at 9:09 pm

    this is the worst article i have ever read. many words of nothing. did a robot write this shit?

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