Lifesaver for old iPhones with battery drain and overheating

iOS 18.7.3 helps iPhone XR completely fix the temperature error, improve the battery better than the old version, although there is still slight loss overnight.

Besides the heat of iOS 26 for new super products, Apple has also just released iOS 18.7.3 for “veteran” devices that are no longer supported for higher generations, typically the iPhone XR.

Many users are still hesitant to update because they fear the device will slow down or the battery will become weaker. However, after 2 days of practical experience with this update on a 6-year-old iPhone XR with 84% battery capacity, the results received brought many positive signals, especially in terms of temperature control.

To be able to experience the new iOS, this is the most suitable device:

Completely solve the problem of uncomfortable temperature

The brightest and most commendable point in iOS 18.7.3 is the ability to control heat. In previous versions such as iOS 18.7.2, iPhone XR users often complained about the device warming up quickly even when only using basic daily tasks, not playing games.

However, this new update has completely fixed that problem.

Practical experience shows that the device operates very cool and stable. No more abnormal overheating causing screen brightness to decrease or lag. It seems that Apple has optimized the background processes to better suit the old hardware, helping the phone operate smoothly without having to strain, thereby reducing heat generation.

If you are annoyed because your old iPhone is always “hot as ice cream”, this is the most convincing reason for you to press the update button immediately.

Battery life improved but still slightly depleted

Regarding battery life, iOS 18.7.3 shows improvement compared to its predecessor iOS 18.7.2, but cannot be called absolutely perfect. The battery consumption chart shows that the battery drain rate has slowed down, the slope is more gentle, not plummeting without braking like before.

With the actual battery capacity remaining at 84%, the battery health (Battery Health) remains the same after the update, without “virtual drop” as some rumors say.

However, the battery drain problem has not been completely resolved 100%. On the test device, overnight battery drain still occurs with a loss of about 5% to 7%.

For a device that has been released for 6 years like the iPhone XR, this is an acceptable number but still causes a bit of trouble for those who want to maximize battery savings.

Actual usage time (Screen On Time) will depend heavily on your usage habits, but in general it is more stable and enough to meet basic needs better than version 18.7.2.

There are no new features but it is required for security reasons

It should be noted that iOS 18.7.3 is an update that focuses entirely on security and bug fixes (Security Fixes), so the download size is quite light.

You won’t find any new features, new interface or visual changes after installation. Everything remains exactly the same, it’s just that the internal system is more secure against cyber attack vulnerabilities.

In summary, if you are using an iPhone XR or equivalent models and are stuck on iOS 18.7.2 full of bugs, the advice is to update to iOS 18.7.3 immediately.

Although the battery is not really as “strong” as expected due to hardware limitations, the fact that the device runs cooler and safer are practical benefits that help prolong the life of your phone.