Apple Looking Into iOS 4 Problems On iPhone 3G
July 29, 2010
A week before I purchased my iPhone 4 last month, I upgraded my iPhone 3G to iOS 4. I found the entire process close to a nightmare. Apparently, I am not the only one.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple itself is looking into problems with its latest operating system on the second generation iPhone. Reported problems include slower iPhone performance and increased battery consumption after the upgrade. In addition, after upgrading, many users have reported that their iPhone becomes abnormally hot. The 3G model (unlike the original iPhone) is supposed to be compatible with iOS 4, with some limitations. Apple says the following on its upgrade website page:"iOS 4 works with iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 3G. Not all features are compatible with all devices. For example, multitasking is available only with iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS."One iPhone 3G user said the following on one of Apple's support forum threads titled “iPhone 3G slow after update to iOS 4":
“This phone has gone from being a dream to constantly annoying me. Not a way to make friends. I would upgrade to an iPhone 4, but I’m feeling pretty angry that Apple has forced my hand by making my 3G unusable."
While I would expect that most iPhone 3G users are fine with iOS 4's documented limitations (after all the 3G is a 2-year old device), the mentioned issues certainly should cause users to think twice before upgrading. Plus, although some instructions are available online, the process to downgrade the iOS is difficult at best.
My advice to iPhone 3G users that haven't upgraded to iOS 4 yet: don't. Already, two other sites have said the same thing. The Unofficial Apple Weblog told readers who hadn’t upgraded yet: “DON’T UPDATE YOUR iPHONE 3G TO iOS 4!” The Mobile Gadgeteer blog on ZDNet said Apple should advise against upgrading the iPhone 3G. If you've experienced similar problems with your iPhone 3G, please let us know, in the comments box below.
