iPhone 3G Speed Test: iOS 4.0 versus iOS 4.1 [IPhone]

iOS 4.0 was so slow on our 3G, we promptly downgraded after updating. Earlier this week, Apple announced, among other things, that iOS 4.1 fixed performance on the iPhone 3G . We put their claim to the test.

In the video above, the iPhone 3G battles itself in an epic speed test to check if Apple’s claims are true: Is iOS 4.1 faster than 4.0, or is it just a wash?

Music by Julian Wass

Note: It is faraway from a scientific examination of both versions of iOS 4. We only had one iPhone 3G to work with and couldn’t run throughout the trials at the exact same time. Hence, one of the most actions aren’t perfect, but they nonetheless demonstrate some performance differences between iOS 4.0 and iOS 4.1.

Double note: To explain, iOS 4.1 isn’t yet available through iTunes; what you notice, however, is the general 4.1 release running on our iPhone 3G.

The video demonstrates the consequences, but here they’re in all their glory:

Messages: iOS 4.1 Wins (By a little bit)
Maps: iOS 4.1 Wins (By an awful lot)
Photos: iOS 4.1 Wins (Just Barely)
Safari: iOS 4.1 Wins (Just Barely)

While the velocity advantages ranged from marginal to significant, iOS 4.1 clearly outperformed iOS 4.0. It’s still significantly slower performance than you’ll get from a 3GS or iPhone 4, and we’re still uncertain it’s a significant enough improvement that 3G owners may want to ditch iOS 3. Essentially the most obvious difference was UI responsiveness. The UI didn’t get stuck nearly as much on an interface element or when seeking to enter text. When you are set on using iOS 4, the upgrade is worthwhile for that alone.

Source

This post is tagged: ios, iPhone, speed, test, versus