Buzz
After updating to iOS 4.0, our iPhone 3G became noticeably sluggish, leading us to quickly revert to the previous version. Recently, Apple revealed that iOS 4.1 resolves these performance issues on the iPhone 3G. We decided to verify their statement firsthand.
In the video above, the iPhone 3G goes head-to-head in a speed showdown to determine whether Apple's claims hold up: Does iOS 4.1 outperform 4.0, or are the differences negligible?
Music by Julian Wass (Specifically: Trampled Under Kuribo's Shoe
Note: This test is not a rigorous scientific analysis of iOS 4.0 and 4.1. With only one iPhone 3G available, we couldn't conduct simultaneous trials. While some actions may not be perfectly synchronized, the results still highlight noticeable performance variations between the two iOS versions.
Double note: To clarify, iOS 4.1 isn't yet available through iTunes; what you see, however, is the final 4.1 release running on our iPhone 3G.
The video highlights the outcomes, but here they are in full detail:
Messages: iOS 4.1 Takes the Lead (By a Narrow Margin)
Maps: iOS 4.1 Dominates (By a Wide Margin)
Photos: iOS 4.1 Edges Ahead (Just Slightly)
Safari: iOS 4.1 Wins (By a Hair)
While the performance improvements varied from minor to substantial, iOS 4.1 consistently outperformed iOS 4.0. However, it still lags behind the speed of a 3GS or iPhone 4, and it's unclear if the enhancements are significant enough for 3G users to abandon iOS 3. The most noticeable improvement was in UI responsiveness, with fewer instances of the interface freezing or text input delays. If you're committed to using iOS 4, the upgrade is worth it for this reason alone.
