Last week, Apple released yet another new operating system, iOS 11. The latest update brings a bright new interface, re-designed control center, App Store changes, and some other minor innovations. According to Apple, the change will set “a new standard for what is already the world’s most advanced mobile operating system.”

A major addition for this update now allows users to fully customize the control center as well as the notification panel. Senior Dann Friedman states, “iOS 11’s control center is more useful because it allows for more access to applications.” But is iOS 11 all that good?

The new software has caused much controversy among WJ students claiming that it causes their devices to slow down drastically. Many who updated have discovered numerous problematic issues such as an over-complicated interface and a lack of performance.

While iOS 11 may be a new technological advancement for the company, it doesn’t come without user sacrifice. Often, because new features are added, storage space and performance are lost, and sometimes even battery life can be affected. Nathan Sample, ’18, thinks iOS 11 is “useless because it adds too many unnecessary features which just make my phone die faster.” However, Apple tried to add features to “enhance” the users’ experience, trying to make them feel like they are in control of their devices. But users still complain about the features, wishing that they did not exist.

Another issue involves app crashing. Freshman Jeremy Grimm explained, “A few of my apps continuously crash from time to time.” This problem occurs because the previously downloaded apps are not programmed to handle the new interface that comes with updating an Apple device.

But far and away, the biggest issue results from a lack of performance. Anne Pannent, a senior, says that the new update “changes too much and makes my phone even slower than before.” More being added to the software puts more strain on the components in the phone, not only sacrificing performance but also consuming more battery life.

So, with all of these issues, is iOS 11 worth it? Sophomore Braden Ost asserted, “I will update when there is time for Apple to perfect the operating system that does not affect my phone’s performance.”

Avoiding “blindly” updating or waiting for Apple to come out with the “bug” fixes will minimize frustration users may have when upgrading as soon as new software is released.