Peak performance
Will the new operating systems make your device sink or soar?
Rumors abounded before WWDC that iOS 12 would focus heavily on performance. While that wasn’t the only theme of Apple’s mobile software update, it was certainly an important element.
Craig Federighi explained that iOS 12 is faster and more responsive than iOS 11 and works with all iOS devices back to 2013 (covering the same devices as iOS 11), back to and including the iPhone 5s. In fact, he said Apple was especially focused on the oldest devices.
At WWDC, Federighi used the example of an iPhone 6 Plus running iOS 12. Apps will open up to 40% faster when running iOS 12, he said, while the keyboard appears up to 50% faster. The most impressive improvement that he cited was launching the camera by swiping right at the Lock screen — iOS 12 makes it up to 70% faster, he claimed.
So how exactly has Apple achieved this? Federighi explained that, ordinarily, your device’s processor will gradually ramp up its performance level to meet increased demand. In iOS 12, however, that performance is increased instantly as soon as it is needed. The result is an operating system that is able to respond much more quickly to high-stress usage, thus helping not only current iPhone and iPad hardware, but older devices too.
In contrast to iOS 12, Apple stayed rather quiet about macOS Mojave’s performance features. Where macOS High Sierra was a performance-boosting upgrade, Apple has focused Mojave on introducing new functionality and features to the operating system.
So while the macOS update will contain many productivity and workflow improvements — such as stackable desktop files and easier access to screenshot-editing tools — notable performance tweaks weren’t disclosed.
That doesn’t mean that Apple hasn’t improved macOS performance at all, but we might have to wait a little longer until we find out about it.