iOS 26.1 - At It Again!

Apple has released iOS 26.0.1 and iOS 26.1 beta 1, with mixed user experiences regarding stability, performance, and battery life, while older iOS 18.7.1 remains the most stable option.

• iOS 18.7.1 is the most stable and battery-efficient option for older iPhones.

• iOS 26.0.1 shows mixed results, with some users experiencing battery drain and heating, especially on newer iPhone 17 models, while others see improvement.

• New iOS updates bring features like Apple Wallet ID support, new gestures, and expanded health notifications for Apple Watch, but also ongoing software bugs.

New iOS updates, including iOS 26.0.1 and iOS 26.1 beta 1, are available, alongside iOS 18.7.1. While iOS 18.7.1 is lauded for its stability and battery performance, iOS 26.0.1 offers improvements over its predecessor but still presents inconsistent battery drain and heating issues for some, particularly on newer iPhone 17 models. iOS 26.1 beta 1 continues to introduce new features but also carries expected beta bugs and inconsistent battery performance.

iPhone Sales and Device Vintage Status

• 00:00:44 iPhone 17 models, including the Pro and Pro Max, are experiencing stronger-than-expected sales, potentially requiring increased production to meet demand, although iPhone Air demand is weaker. Concurrently, Apple has designated the iPhone 11 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 3 as 'vintage,' meaning they are now on a list for obtaining service on older devices.

Software Issues and Fixes

• 00:03:00 Several software issues are being addressed, including Apple Intelligence not working for some iPhone 17 users, with Apple aware but a fix pending. An iMessage activation issue on iOS 26 has a new support article offering a fix involving removing inactive SIMs. Furthermore, a disappearing silent mode option on the lock screen widget area in iOS 18.7.1 has been restored.

New Features and Updates

• 00:04:23 New features include North Dakota now supporting driver's licenses and IDs in Apple Wallet, and a new swipe gesture in the Notes app for accessing advanced menu settings. AirPods Pro models may now display a 'clean AirPods' message for hearing protection issues. The camera app's compressed photo standard has changed from 'HEIC' to 'HEIF' for naming compliance, while hypertension notifications are approved in Canada and sleep apnea detection is active in South Korea for Apple Watch users. Additionally, WhatsApp now supports Live Photos, and Adobe Premiere video editor is available on iPhone.

Performance and Battery Life Comparisons

• 00:16:49 iOS 18.7.1 is considered the most stable option with excellent battery life for older devices. iOS 26.0.1 offers improved stability and performance over iOS 26, but some users, especially on newer iPhone 17 Pro models, report significant battery drain and heating. iOS 26.1 beta 1 shows continued performance improvements but introduces new bugs and inconsistent battery experiences, characteristic of a beta release.