iPhone 17 Pro Max apps auto-refresh in background

Device: 17 Pro Max

Software: iOS 26.3

Problem: Apps are auto refreshing when in standby or after content plays, but shouldn't.

I never had this problem with my iPhone 14PM which I recently traded in for a 17PM.

Since purchase, the 17PM when apps are in standby mode or if you leave the app using the switcher for a moment to look up information in Safari and come back in just a few seconds, the app auto refreshes. You loose the comment or message you were typing which is frustrating. Or you'll lose the story / short / reel you wanted to watch watch next, etc. etc. I noticed this is particularly bad with YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

I feel like it's my old iPhone 8 that had limited memory, so I expected the auto refresh issue. But 17s are supposed to have much more RAM - more than my old 14, so I'm clearly confused as to why this keeps happening. It is annoying and almost makes me want to go back to 14. Losing message or the next line-up of videos or the content you wanted to come back to and read is annoying.