Technologies
Updating Your iPhone to iOS 17 Today? Here’s Why You Want to Hold Off
It may not be the best move to update to iOS 17 right now.
Not everyone needs to download the latest iOS update on their iPhone right when Apple makes it available.
Apple announced the release date for iOS 17 during its Wonderlust event last week, alongside the iPhone 15 series, the Apple Watch Series 9 and the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra. iOS 17 will be available to everyone with a compatible iPhone today, Sept. 18. But just because it’s released, does that mean you should install it on your phone?
In this story, I’ll look at a few reasons why you may not want to update to iOS 17 just yet and instead let others take it for a spin.
If you know you want iOS 17, check out how to download iOS 17, as well as all the cool hidden iOS 17 settings and features you can expect to find.
Your iPhone battery might drain faster than usual
One reason to hit pause on the download? There really isn’t a single general reason why battery drain occurs right after a major software update like iOS 17, but it happens to some people pretty much every year.
If your battery health level is already in bad shape (Settings > Battery > Battery Health), you might want to refrain from updating to iOS 17 for a bit.
Here are a couple of reasons why iOS 17 might be draining your battery:
- Your phone is working overtime in the background. New features, such as the improved search feature in Messages or Live Stickers for your photos, may need to index your files to work properly.
- Your apps don’t support iOS 17. Developers are given plenty of time to update their apps to the latest iPhone software, but if they don’t, the apps could drain more battery because they’re outdated.
And of course, there’s always the slight chance of software bugs that could be eating up your battery life in the background.

Even if you wait for future iOS 17 updates, you may still encounter some battery drain for the first few days, but that generally disappears once your iPhone gets settled with the software update.
Your older iPhone might get really slow
Just because your iPhone supports iOS 17 doesn’t necessarily mean the new OS will run smoothly on your device. An older iPhone model, like the iPhone XS or iPhone 11 Pro might struggle to keep up with iOS 17’s demands, due to little storage, low RAM or an older chipset.
Don’t miss: Apple’s iOS 17 Won’t Work on Every iPhone. These Models Get the Boot
Take a Look at Apple’s iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: New Colors, Prices and More
You might encounter bugs that can cause issues on your iPhone
No matter how polished a software update may seem, a few bugs are bound to slip through the cracks. It’s why Apple sometimes releases a «point update» shortly after a major update, to fix issues like:
- Battery drain.
- Lag.
- Apps force-closing.
- Phone restarting.
- Unusable features.
If you’re concerned about possibly facing issues such as these, you may want to wait until any possible major bugs are squashed in subsequent iOS 17 updates.
You might not get all the new iOS 17 features you want anyway
Not every iPhone running iOS 17 will get all the new features, especially older models like the iPhone XR and iPhone 11. Below you’ll find some of the features that aren’t supported on all devices running iOS 17:
- Hand reactions in FaceTime: iPhone 12 and later.
- FaceTime on Apple TV: iPhone XS/XR and later.
- Improved autocorrect: iPhone 12 and later.
- Predictions inline as you type: iPhone 12 and later.
If you were looking forward to any of these features but can’t get them because of your older iPhone, you might want to skip out on iOS 17.

For the most part, you should probably update to iOS 17
Regardless of any hesitations you might have, if you do want to jump in, there are plenty of reasons to just go ahead and update to iOS 17. Aside from all the new features you may benefit from, Apple’s major software updates may fix bugs and other issues in previous iterations.
However, major updates don’t just fix issues, they also bring new privacy and security settings that improve your safety and better protect your personal information.
On iOS 17, you have a few major privacy and security features to look forward to:
- Sensitive content warning: You can toggle on a setting to blur sensitive photos and videos sent to you. This feature works in Messages, AirDrop, Contact Posters, FaceTime messages and third‑party applications.
- Improved permissions: Applications let you choose which photos you want to share in-app, while the rest of them are kept private. Also, an application can add an event to your calendar without being able to see your other events.
- Expanded Lockdown Mode: The new and improved Lockdown Mode increases security to help protect you against more-sophisticated cyberattacks. It even works on your Apple Watch now.

And then there are all the new accessibility features, which can be incredibly beneficial to those with disabilities:
- Personal Voice: An AI feature that allows you to clone your voice and use it via type-to-speak to communicate with others.
- Assistive Access: Simplifies everything on your phone, making it easier to use.
For more, check out what the iPhone 15 might tell us about future phones and how the Apple Watch Series 9 compares to older models.
Technologies
These Anker Earbuds Are Down to $57 — and Even Amazon Couldn’t Resist Matching the Price
Grab yourself a solid pair of earphones that offer excellent noise cancellation and battery life.
There are plenty of earbud options out there, but finding the right ones for you can feel nearly impossible as a result. But if you’re after some of the best noise-canceling wireless earbuds and you’d like to save some money, we might have the answer for you.
Best Buy is running a one-day sale on the excellent Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earbuds, knocking the price to just $57 — which matches the lowest price we’ve seen yet. And Amazon’s price-matching. With a 43% discount, now’s the time to grab a pair before this limited-time deal disappears.
These earbuds have 11mm drivers, as well as hi-res wireless, LDAC technology and adaptive noise canceling that should reduce noise from your environment by up to 98.5%, according to Anker. That means you can stay immersed in the music (or other content you love) regardless of what’s going on around you.
Plus, because they’re equipped with six mics, they offer good call quality, regardless of your environment. We found them comfortable, too, and loved the bass they put out.
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The Liberty 4 NC earbuds have an impressive battery life as well, offering up to 10 hours of playback per charge, with an additional 50 hours available with the charging case. And just 10 minutes of fast charging can get you up to four hours of playback. They’re also rated IPX4 water-resistant, so any inclement weather while you’re out shouldn’t cause these buds any harm.
Another great feature these earbuds offer is multipoint connection, which lets you connect to your phone and your computer at once, which is super convenient. That’s a lot of features for earbuds this affordable.
If you’re not totally sold on this model, be sure to check out our roundup of all the best headphone and earbuds deals happening now.
HEADPHONE DEALS OF THE WEEK
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Why this deal matters
These excellent earbuds are now available at their record-low price. Best Buy is limiting this discount to a one-day sale, and we expect Amazon to end the deal around the same time, so be sure to grab a pair before this opportunity expires.
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Technologies
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 Just Got Its First Proper Discount, but It Won’t Last Long
The latest rugged smartwatch from Apple is yours for just $700 right now.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 has only been on sale for a few weeks, but it’s already available for its first real discount. Getting one of the best smartwatches money can buy isn’t going to be cheap, but this deal saves you $99 off the usual asking price. But be warned, we don’t expect this early Black Friday deal to last long.
The result? You’ll pay just $700 for your new Apple Watch Ultra 3, with a couple of colors and band combinations available. These prices often fluctuate, so we suggest checking out all available pairings before placing your order. Apple Watch Ultra 3 deals are likely to come and go quickly.
All Apple Watch Ultra 3 models come with cellular modems inside so you can connect them to your carrier — assuming it supports the Apple Watch’s eSIM. That’ll allow you to stay connected even when you don’t have your iPhone with you.
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The Apple Watch Ultra 3 comes in a large 49mm size, so it’s easy to read. Despite that huge display, Apple Watch Ultra 3 owners can expect long-lasting battery life. In fact, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 can run for up to 42 hours in normal mode and a whopping 72 hours in its low-power mode.
This being an Apple Watch, it comes with all of the usual health and fitness monitoring features, as well as sleep tracking. It can monitor your heart rate, track your progress thanks to its precise dual-frequency GPS, and do a whole lot more.
If the standard Apple Watch models can’t quite live up to your busy, active lifestyle, this is the model for you. Be sure to order your new smartwatch before this deal expires.
SMARTWATCH DEALS OF THE WEEK
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Why this deal matters
The latest Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the best of its kind. It has a new display that’s designed to be easier to read and has an impressive battery life. It isn’t the cheapest smartwatch on the market, but if you want the best that Apple has to offer, now is the time to place your order — before this deal ends.
Looking for savings on other models? Check out all the best Apple Watch deals happening now.
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Technologies
Here’s the Best Time to Spot November’s Supermoon, the Brightest Moon of 2025
Does the moon look brighter and bigger? It’s not just you — here’s why this month’s supermoon is even more super.
November is a great month for skygazers, featuring a trio of meteor showers and the return of the northern hemisphere winter constellations. This week, it also features the second of four consecutive supermoons. This month’s supermoon will happen on Nov. 4-5, and November’s beaver moon is special because it’ll be the brightest full moon of 2025.
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In addition to being a supermoon, November’s full moon is known as the beaver moon. There is some debate as to why it was named this way. Some believe that this was the best time of year in the old days to set beaver traps to get pelts for winter clothing. Others believe that it coincides with the busiest part of the year for beavers, who are now stocking their lodges with supplies for the upcoming winter.
The brightest supermoon: When’s the best time to see it?
The moon will reach peak illumination at 8:19 a.m. ET on Nov. 5, making the evening of Nov. 4 and the morning of Nov. 5 the best times to view the moon.
Since moon phases shift slowly, the moon will appear almost full for nearly a week. If you are unable to view the full moon on its best night due to weather or other reasons, you can still see a mostly full moon at any point from Nov. 3 to Nov. 8.
For all of those days, the moon will be measurably brighter in the night sky compared to any other full moon in 2025. The reason for this is because of the moon’s elliptical orbit. Since it’s not a perfect circle, the moon’s 27.3-day journey around the Earth brings it closer to us on some days, a phenomenon known as perigee. If there is a full moon during this time, it’s branded as a «perigean full moon,» which you may know better as a supermoon.
Not all supermoons are equal, and November’s will be a little more special than others. According to The Farmer’s Almanac, the beaver moon will be a scant 221,817 miles away from Earth, making it the closest full moon of the year. That means it’ll be the biggest and brightest of the year.
In practice, the differences are fairly minor and likely won’t be visible to the naked eye when compared side by side to other supermoons. A supermoon is only about 7% larger than a regular full moon. According to NASA, the biggest difference is when comparing a supermoon to a micromoon, where a supermoon will be about 14% larger and 30% brighter. So, if you notice that your backyard patio is lit up more than usual, it’s because of the supermoon.
Also due to the moon’s orbit, November will also bring a micro new moon, which means the moon will be as far away from the Earth as it can get — a phenomenon known as apogee. November’s new moon occurs on Nov. 20, but you won’t be able to see it.
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