Is it safe to download latest update from Apple to my iphone 4

Question

The reason I ask, is that I amd many people had a problem with an software upgrade for the 3S and I have heard that similar problems have followed after downloading the latest update. Is it safe to download the latest version or will it slow my phone and cause battery life problems that I have heard so much about?

Answer 1

You only read about the problems here, because people who don't have problems don't usually post. Also, if you go back in time you will see that there are problem reports after every update for the past 5 years; if you take them seriously your phone would still be on iOS version 2.1.
A few people have problems after every update. And a few people have problems not associated with any update. If you update your phone will most likely work as well or better than it did before. If it doesn't you can almost always fix any issues that arise. To minimize the chance of a problem there are a few precautions you can take before updating:
Connect to a USB port directly on your computer to update if you are not updating over the air
If you are updating over the air connect the phone to power, and make sure you have a good charge level (>50%)
Reboot your computer just before updating if not over the air
Disable your antivirus just before updating if not over the air
If using your computer click the "Check for Update" button, then choose "Download Only". This way if the download fails your phone will still be usable. After the download completes click "Check for Update" again.
For both "tethered" and over the air updates do it at a time when you are unlikely to receive push email, calendar or contact updates
Kill all 3rd party apps (in the Quick Launch ribbon) that use Notifications just before updating
Except for the first 2 the rest are being extra careful, and will be unnecessary in most caes. But they won't do any harm either.