Hi, I’m currently using iPadOS 15.7.2 on my 5th generation iPad Pro (with M1). Recently I started considering whether to update to iPadOS 16.3. My biggest fear is that the battery life will take a hit. I am using my iPad to study at the university and the battery is very important to me. Can you please give me an advice whether to update or not?
Thank you
iPad Pro, iPadOS 15
Higher than usual battery utilisation is expected to occur for some hours, or possibly days, after performing a system software update. After updating, many background housekeeping processes will be running - including reindexing the file system. Nominal battery utilisation can be expected to return within a few days.
After the housekeeping tasks have finished, you should see negligible (if any) difference in overall battery performance between iPadOS 15.7.2 and iPadOS 16.3.
Speaking of experience, I have observed no appreciable difference having updated my workhorse fifth generation iPad Pro 12.9” to iPadOS 16.3. Overall system stability has improved - and the iPad benefits from many new enhancements. I particularly like the additional Display Zoom setting - allowing the display to really benefit from its large size and higher resolution.
Higher than usual battery utilisation is expected to occur for some hours, or possibly days, after performing a system software update. After updating, many background housekeeping processes will be running - including reindexing the file system. Nominal battery utilisation can be expected to return within a few days.
After the housekeeping tasks have finished, you should see negligible (if any) difference in overall battery performance between iPadOS 15.7.2 and iPadOS 16.3.
Speaking of experience, I have observed no appreciable difference having updated my workhorse fifth generation iPad Pro 12.9” to iPadOS 16.3. Overall system stability has improved - and the iPad benefits from many new enhancements. I particularly like the additional Display Zoom setting - allowing the display to really benefit from its large size and higher resolution.
If you are achieving +12hrs of continuous use from a single charge, your iPad is achieving uncharacteristically low power usage.
After your iPad has been updated, within hours (or possibly a few days) your iPad will return to normal.
While it is entirely your choice to remain with your currently installed version of iPadOS, your iPad remains at risk from known security vulnerabilities. At best a compromised device risks exposure of your sensitive data; at worst, you can suffer total data loss - which if reliant upon your iPad for your studies, may have significant impact.
Having updated my own iPad from iPadOS 16.3 to iPadOS 16.3.1 soon after its release last night, I can’t say that I have noticed any untoward behaviour since performing the update.
My main concern was ensuring that this essential security update was installed as soon as possible!
If you are worried about keeping your battery charged when away from a source of AC Power, why not invest in a high capacity PowerBank. Some of the better models can have sufficient power reserve to fully recharge an iPad Pro many times over.
Here is one example from mophie - marketed by Apple:
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/HQ352ZM/A
This example has a 25,000mAh battery.
Can you maybe share your battery usage from the battery settings please so I could some how compare ?
Yeah but I didn’t bought this very expensive iPad only to walk around with a power brick. Now I am getting around 12h of usage time with 15.7.2. From your experience you think it will drop dramatically?
Hi, thanks for answering me. Did you noticed any change since updating to iPadOS 16.3.1?
I’m just nervous about the battery life. I’m using my iPad to study so I can’t be plugged in all the time
iPadOS 16.3 Battery life on 5th generation iPad Pro (with M1).
