Today, Apple has released a new iOS 9 update for the iPhone 5. While not iOS 9.1 with the new emojis, the iOS 9.0.1 update is an important update for the iPhone. With a few hours of use, we take a look at how the iPhone 5 iOS 9.0.1 update has performed so far.
Last week, Apple released an iOS 9 update for the iPhone 5 and many other iPhone and iPad models. This update brought a ton of new features and improvements to iOS 9.0, including a tangible battery boost for the iPhone.
Tons of iPhone owners have upgraded to iOS 9 last week. I am one of those users and have installed it on many devices including the aging wonder Apple’s iPhone 5.
I’ve owned the iPhone 5 since 2012 and have installed every iOS update the company has released. This includes the iOS 9.0 update that Apple released last week and the iOS 9.0.
Yes, Apple has already released a new version of iOS 9 just a week after the update arrived for the iPhone 5 and others. The iOS 9.0.1 update isn’t as big as iOS 9.0, but it does come with some fixes for annoying iOS 9 issues.
The new update is well-meaning, but as long-time iPhone 5 owners know, even the smallest iOS updates can hurt iPhone performance. That’s exactly why I want to share my thoughts on the iOS 9.0.1 update.
I’ve been using the iPhone 5 iOS 9.0.1 update for a few hours now and I’d like to give my first thoughts on its performance.
These iPhone 5 iOS 9.0.1 update impressions don’t serve as my final review of the first iOS 9 bug fix update, but it should help those who are undecided about installing it.
iOS 9.0.1 Installation
Apple didn’t trumpet or roll out the red carpet for iOS 9.0.1. It showed up out of nowhere at 10:00 PT this morning.
After some discussion, I decided to download it immediately. And I was rewarded with an extremely smooth installation and setup process.
The iPhone 5 iOS 9.0.1 update is around 25MB in size, small for an iOS update and therefore downloading and installing relatively quickly. It took about 10 minutes to complete from start to finish. Pretty standard for an update of this size.
While last week’s iOS 9 release was a mess, I didn’t see any major download or installation issues with the iOS 9.0. This does not guarantee your safety, but it does mean that most of you can board the plane without any problems.
If you run into a download or installation issue, check out our list of fixes for common iOS 9 issues. Might help.
iOS 9.0.1 on iPhone 5 Performance
I won’t go into iOS 9 features in this early review. If you haven’t installed the iPhone 5 iOS 9 update yet, you’ll want to check out our iOS 9 review or our ongoing iOS 9 coverage for more on those. Instead, they will focus on key areas of performance.
Before we begin, I would like to convey my usual disclaimer:
I’m only one person with an AT&T iPhone 5. I probably don’t use the apps you use, and I probably don’t use my iPhone 5 the way you do.
It’s important to keep this in mind because distance always changes when it comes to iOS updates. Use my thoughts and ideas as a general guide as you follow the iOS 9.0.1 update.
Apps
became see all kinds of complaints About app performance after last week’s iOS 9 update but oddly enough, I haven’t encountered much on my iPhone 5.
About 70 apps are installed on the device, but I only use a certain group on a regular basis. The apps I use the most are Asana, Slack, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Gmail, Hangouts, Chrome, Dark Sky, Amazon, SoundCloud, Spotify and Xbox One Smartglass.
After installing iOS 9.0.1, I couldn’t see much difference. All of these apps are performing well. Twitter and Chrome have crashed once since the download this morning, but that’s not unusual on this aging phone.
It’s reassuring, but that doesn’t mean my iPhone 5 and its apps are clear. Last week, Chrome crashed 50+ times on my iPhone 6. Most of these issues didn’t start until a few days after the update arrived.
I don’t have a fix for every app issue on the planet but I do have a few possible remedies. First, try installing the latest bug fix update. If that doesn’t help or gets bad reviews, try reinstalling the app. If that doesn’t work, contact the developer.
iOS 9.0.1 Battery Life
So far, I haven’t noticed any major battery life issues. The phone holds a steady charge when in use and in standby mode.
The iOS 9 update has given my iPhone 5 a noticeable battery boost. I can’t say I use an extra hour each day, but I was definitely able to squeeze a little more out of the phone. 20 minutes here, 15 minutes there. The new Low Power Mode option helps.
If iOS 9.0.1 can continue the experience I saw in my week with iOS 9.0, I’ll be a happy camper. But with only a few hours of use, all I can tell you is that I haven’t noticed any major battery life struggles.
If so, you’ll want to take a look at our list of battery life fixes and tips.
Wi-Fi, Cellular Data and Bluetooth
I tested the iPhone 5 on several different routers, Bluetooth devices (headphones and speakers), and AT&T networks. At least I haven’t had any problems with any of them yet.
Connection-related problems are common and can occur at any time. That’s why I have my own list of fixes for bookmarked iOS 9 issues.
iOS 9.0.1 Issues on iPhone 5
There are iOS 9 bugs and issues out there. I know because I follow iPhone 5 feedback and iOS 9 issues. But the issues I saw were minor and most limited to just a few iPhone users.
The iPhone 5’s iOS 9.0 update has been extremely stable on my copy of the phone and I haven’t noticed any major issues or bugs with iOS 9.0. That doesn’t mean they aren’t here at all, it just means they don’t interfere with my daily routine.
One thing I should be aware of is that the fixes that came with the iOS 9.0. I’ve been trying to replicate the issues but failed. Here is a list of fixes coming with iOS 9.0.
If you’re dealing with these issues on your iPhone 5, iOS 9.0.1 is probably worth a look right now.
Speed
This is an area that has been a huge disappointment for me. I was hoping for a comeback after iOS 9 release but my iPhone 5 is still slow and sluggish. Considering factory reset.
My first reading on iOS 9.0.1 is that it brings more of the same. While it’s fast in some places (navigating between my two home screens, for example), there are other times when it’s slow to the point of frustration.
Doing something as simple as opening the Control Center or opening a folder on the home screen should not cause the iPhone 5 to hang and freeze.
I hope these issues will go away in the next two days, but after a week of sluggish iOS 9 I’m not optimistic.
Should You Install iOS 9.0.1 Now?
The fixes are nice and I don’t have any major issues other than speed issues. That said, these speed issues are brutal and a big reason why I consider wiping my phone and starting with a clean install.
This is a solid update but I would be careful. My advice to iPhone 5 users is to wait a few days for more feedback to appear. iOS 9.0.1 is still very new and if you wait you will see the benefits.
Search around for more feedback and I’ll be back in a few days with a full review of the iPhone 5 iOS 9.0.
