Topic

Firmware-enforced hardware limits

Manufacturer software controls that cap what hardware will do, such as charge ceilings and power or thermal limits, and that can be applied or lifted after a device leaves the factory.

Current clusters

product2 publishers

Trading in an iPhone 18 Pro Max now starts with draining the battery below 20 Wh

Apple's firmware holds the new Pro Max under the 20 Wh single-cell threshold until a buyer activates it, and a Prepare to Ship option in Settings puts the phone back under the limit before a repair, return or trade-in.

Publishers:9to5mac.commacrumors.com

Reality

Evidence62
Adoption38
Hype gap+8
Incentives58
Confidence66