After both Apple and Samsung were hit with huge fines - well, not huge to them - the other day because they were found to be deliberately slowing phones down with software, Apple has revealed it could slow down phones that are only one year old.
The slowing down of phones using software updates is known as 'throttling' and Apple's admission that its latest iOS update will throttle phones just one year old will anger many iPhone users.
This comes after the tech giant said that there would be no need for it to bring its 'performance management' feature to its latest phones.
Apple claims some phones need throttling to combat degrading battery life.
The release notes for update, which will be available next Tuesday, reveals the feature will apply to the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X. If you've got one of them, you must have bought it within the last year.
This latest update - iOS 12.1, if you're counting - only serves to further consumer outrage directed at Apple for what users see as the company slowly rendering their own product obsolete and effectively forcing people to buy a new phone.
However, it is true that batteries start to degrade over time. This happens to all devices and phones, especially given the constant use many of our smartphones get.
Furthermore, as software updates get more complicated and advanced, they place a greater strain on the processor, as well as the battery.
This can mean that phones can just shut off unexpectedly. Apple claims this is what it's trying to avoid by managing the device performance.
The throttling process means the device is limited. Component parts such as the CPU (central processing unit) and GPU (graphics processing unit) are limited as the battery life wears down so the phone doesn't just cut out at random.
Until recently this was the norm. All phones were automatically 'performance managed' until there was outrage about them - you know - deliberately making the phones worse over time.
Now, they actually tell you if they're planning to slow your phone down, so that's something. With the release of this latest software update Apple said that if your phone unexpectedly shuts down, this feature will kick in.
The release notes read: "Additionally, users can see if the performance management feature that dynamically manages maximum performance to prevent unexpected shutdowns is on and can choose to turn it off,
"This feature applies to iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus.
"Starting with iOS 12.1, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X include this feature, but performance management may be less noticeable due to their more advanced hardware and software design,"
Let's hope so. People who've just forked out for an iPhone X are going to be feeling drained too otherwise.
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