Apple Inc. has confirmed battery life problems with the new iPhone 4S as well as mobile devices updated with the iOS 5 operating system.

Millions have already purchased Apple Inc.'s fifth generation handset, the iPhone 4S. While didn't have any design changes from the previous model, the improved processor and camera, as well as a built-in digital assistant, Siri, still brought record sales of 4 million units in the first three days.

"A small number of customers have reported lower-than-expected battery life on iOS 5 devices," Apple spokeswoman Natalie Harrison said in a statement. "We have found a few bugs that are affecting battery life, and we will release a software update to address those in a few weeks."

Apple on Oct. 12 released the iPhone 4S, which sports a 3.5-inch screen; an 8-megapixel, 1080p high-definition camera; an A5 dual-core chip processor that is seven times faster than the graphics processor in the iPhone 4; 512 MB of RAM; two antennae to transmit and receive data; CDMA and GSM connectivity; 8 hours of 3G talk-time; and new applications like Siri and Find My Friends. Siri is a voice-recognition system that turns the device into a hands-free personal assistant. The iPhone 4S uses the iOS 5 platform.

The iOS 5 platform was made for other Apple mobile devices on Oct. 10. iOS 5 boasts of 200 new features, which Apple says takes "a mobile operating system that was already years ahead of anything else and moving it even further ahead." iOS 5 is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod touch third and fourth generation, iPad and iPad 2. Apple is offering iOS 5 upgrade free of cost to users.

iOS 5 is released along with the iCloud, the new service that ferries data between Apple devices and stores device backups in the cloud.

The new features for iOS 5 include a revamp on its notification system; Siri, which would transform voice commands into actions; integration with iCloud, the new storage service of Apple; wireless syncing; a new messaging service for i-gadgets; a new reminders app; a newsstand app for organizing magazine and newspaper subscriptions; an improved Safari Web browser; full integration to Twitter; easy access to the camera right in the lock screen; new services for editing photos; an AssistiveTouch that allows you to use your iOS device if you have difficulty touching the screen; and new shortcuts for multitasking on an iPad. Non iPhone 4S devices running on iOS 5 though won't have Siri, which as of the moment is exclusive for the iPhone 4S.

While Apple's products are usually revolutionary, it doesn't mean that the meticulously designed products like the iPhone 4S and iOS 5 are free of any issues. Clogging the Apple Support Communities page are complaints about mediocre battery life of the iOS 5 devices.

Apple has bragged that the iPhone 4S will have 200 hours standby time (iPhone 4 300 hours), or 8 hours talk time on 3G (iPhone 4-7 hours), or 14 hours talk time on 2G, or 6 hours 3G browsing, or 9 hours Wi-Fi browsing. But iPhone 4 users have been complaining that the iPhone 4S's battery don't last as long as advertised.

Oliver Haslam of iDownloadBlog says that battery drain may be caused by the iPhone's Location Services features. "See, it appears that iOS 5′s GM release introduced a bug that causes the Setting Time Zone function to keep the location tracking circuitry running constantly, draining battery power considerably," says Haslam. He says that turning off the Setting Time Zone function could cure the phone's battery life. But many users still have issues with the battery life after disabling.

Some users actually resort to turning off the apps and the notifications in order to improve the battery life. An Apple device users says that to fix the iPhone 4S battery-gate, aside form turning off Location Services, Bluetooth must be off when not in use. Another user suggested draining the battery twice and making a full charge, and avoid using the device while charging.

Apple's fix for the battery-bug issue could come in sooner rather than later.

According to BGR, Apple has already released iOS 5.0.1 to developers for testing. iOS 5.0.1 according to Apple, among other things, contains security improvements and fixes the bugs affecting battery life.

The iPhone 4S is available for $199 on a two-year contract with networks. A contract-free or unlocked iPhone 4S will be available in shelves starting at $649 in November. The iOS 5 update for existing Apple devices is available for free.