3 recent iPhone myths debunked: Charging, theft, and Face ID

Face ID is fine, everyone.

- MICHAEL SIMON

Apple and the iPhone are always in the news, but lately it seems like it's been for all the wrong reasons. Over the past week or so, many stories have painted the iPhone as a security risk and Apple as sneakily throttling charging speeds. None of those things are happening. Here's the truth.

iOS 16 ISN'T SLOWING DOWN CHARGING SPEEDS

Apple introduced a new feature in iOS 16.1 called Clean Energy Charging (fave.co/40SLn4e) that seeks to limit the impact of your iPhone on the environment by "selectively charging when lower carbon-emission electricity is available." This feature has been enabled by default on all iOS 16 iPhones since October, but a few people just noticed it last week and made a bunch of noise about it on Twitter. People lost their minds, calling the feature "presumptuous and irritating (fave.co/ 3MeuZHc)," and loudly complained about Apple's "ESG [environmental, social, and governance] bull" (fave.co/3Ue5FU5).

Two things are wrong with the outrage. For one, the feature shouldn't affect your iPhone's charging habits. I have left Clean Energy Charging on and have never had a problem with my phone having less of a charge than expected. When I put it on the charger at night, it's filled in the morning, and when I need a quick fill-up during the day, it takes just minutes. And since Clean Energy Charging doesn't affect charging on the go, you'll never be left in the lurch.