BlackBerry OS 10.3.1 update halted on older devices due to performance issues

BlackBerry recently started rolling out the BlackBerry 10.3.1 update to all BlackBerry 10 handsets. However it seems the company has put the update on hold for devices like the BlackBerry Z10 and the BlackBerry Q10 after complaints from users over battery life, hardware performance, and other issues.

Previously the BlackBerry 10.3.1 update was halted last month, when BlackBerry Passport users reportedly screen flickering issues on their handsets after installing the update. The company would quickly patch that issue and resume the upgrade process.

Unfortunately the issues are a bit more pervasive this time. While the company did not specify what issues older devices were facing, members of the BlackBerry community are talking about them in various online forums. Users are reporting battery performance has apparently taken a hit, while others are reporting their devices were getting heated due to heavy CPU use. Previously, BlackBerry Q10 users have also reported their device speaker was negatively impacted following the 10.3.1 update. While BlackBerry will definitely be working on a fix for these issues, those who have not updated should likely hold off until these issues are rectified.

The BlackBerry 10.3.1 update is a relatively large update for the platform, bringing the voice-activated BlackBerry Assistant (to take on Apple's Siri, Google Now and Microsoft's Cortana). Also part of the update is BlackBerry Blend, which enables you to access portions of your BlackBerry with your computer or tablet. BlackBerry Hub with Instant Actions is part of the update too, bringing the ability to organize various communication (BBM, email, SMS, social media, et al) within the Hub. Using Instant Actions, you can organize everything without having to look through each message.