iOS 9.2.1 tests show small performance improvements on older devices

BY Killian Bell

Published 17 Dec 2015

iOS 9.2.1 beta speed test

Apple’s latest iOS 9.2.1 software, which was rolled out to beta testers on Wednesday, brings some small but welcome performance improvements to older iPhones. You can see those improvements in action on iPhone 5s, iPhone 5, and iPhone 4s in the videos below.

Although Apple is the best in the business at supporting older devices with software updates, the latest often don’t run so well on aging hardware, and many users decide not to upgrade. But over time, Apple often works to improve the experience with performance enhancements.

iOS 9.2.1, even in its first beta, appears to bring some of those. In the speed test video below from iAppleBytes, the iPhone 4s clearly boots up ever so slightly quicker with the more recent software, and appears to be slightly snappier at loading built-in apps like Messages and Camera.

iOS 9.2.1 also boots up faster than iOS 9.2 on iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s — as demonstrated in the videos below.

Again, these aren’t huge speed improvements, and certain apps appear to be slightly slower on iPhone 4s under the latest software. But users will certainly welcome Apple’s effort to improve things like boot up times on older devices.