Apple released an update for iPhones at the end of November. TECHBOOK reveals whether the installation is worthwhile.
While the company continues to work on iOS 16.2, the now second mini-update will be pushed in in the form of iOS 16.1.2. It includes tweaks that can improve iPhone usage.
This includes the update to iOS 16.1.2
After iOS 16.1 brought a number of new features and iOS 16.1.1 two security patches, the current iPhone update should only improve existing functions. Specifically, iOS 16.1.2 includes two optimizations, as Apple reveals in the release notes:
- Improved compatibility with wireless carriers
- Accident detection optimization on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models
Accident detection is one of the biggest innovations in the iPhone 14 and the Apple Watch Series 8 and Watch Ultra. The devices can use precise sensors to detect when the wearer has been in a car accident and then automatically make an emergency call. Tests have already shown how accident detection works in the event of a car crash. In fact, however, the detection also starts in other scenarios. Several people have reported that the iPhone 14 triggered the accident detection and made an emergency call when carried on the roller coaster, such as this Wall Street Journal reported. Apple does not reveal whether the optimization in iOS 16.1.2 specifically refers to these incidents.
The company also does not explain the improved compatibility with mobile phone providers in more detail. However, it is possible that this update relates to issues with the eSIM functionality. Apple confirmed back in October that some iPhone 14 users are experiencing an error message stating that the “SIM is not supported”.
According to the release notes, iOS 16.1.2 should also contain security updates. So far, however, the company has not published any further information about it on the support page.
Should I install iOS 16.1.2 right away?
TECHBOOK generally recommends installing security patches promptly. Since the update, which is only a few hundred megabytes in size, does not contain any new functions, it is not to be expected that it will cause new errors. iPhone 14 users in particular who use eSIM and have activated accident detection should therefore install iOS 16.1.2.
Nevertheless, we do not consider the update to be absolutely necessary, especially for owners of older iPhones. The changes will be included in iOS 16.2, which is expected to be released later this year. TECHBOOK is already testing the new iOS version in the beta phase and has already been able to try out functions such as the new Freeform app.