Tag Archives: iPhone 5

iPhone 5 posts will be found here. This will cover repairs, tips and product details of the Apple iPhone 5.

Apple To Release iPhone 5S Update In Early 2013?

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Customers and industry watchers have been stunned by rumors that Apple may commence iPhone 5S test production in December and may start volumes manufacturing in 2013. Can it really be possible that Apple is thinking of providing an update to phone that was just released in September?

iPhone 5S Update Rumors

If these rumors are believed to be true, then customers can expect the updated version of the iPhone 5S to hit the shelves by March 2013. This is not unprecedented for Apple. Apple broke its rule of offering iOS updates once in a year with its fourth generation iPad.

If Apple does released an update, then customers can expect better specs and new components without any changes in design. Google did the same with Nexus tablets and offered improved storage technologies without touching the price.

What This Would Mean For Competitors

Competitors like Samsung, HTC and other Android manufactures offer frequent updates and new phones. They also come up with variants and modified versions of old models to enhance overall brand appeal. Samsung has followed Apple’s approach but has released many other Galaxy devices while we have seen just six iPhones in the past few years. Apple could afford to ignore its competitors in the past. However, Samsung has, come up as a strong competitor and there are rumors that Apple may also introduce cheaper options to strengthen its market position.

However, the decision to offer upgrades in the middle of the cycle can lead to a lot of uncertainty in a company like Apple. Apple’s customers anticipate the yearly update and make their plans accordingly. Apple’s decision to offer mid-cycle of grades may affect sales. Shoppers may go in for a wait and watch approach and this can hamper the volume of sales for Apple.

Last Word From the Rumor Mill

The rumor is not from a particularly reliable source. However, one just cannot deny the possibility of Apple trying to take advantage of the release of its fourth generation iPad. If iPhone 5S is released in March, then the updated iPad will be available in the next quarter after the release of this updated device. This fact makes Apple’s decision seem even more sensible. Apple may be going in for a new pattern but there is no guarantee that Apple would benefit from this change.

Rumor or not, the one thing we can count on is that in the case of an unexpected accident, these devices will require repair. The experts at iFixYouri are experienced in iPhone repair and can help with any problem.

Scuffgate: iPhone 5 Damage Right Out of the Box

Reports of minor cosmetic damage on some shipped iPhone 5 models were acknowledged by Apple.  When the iPhone 5 was released, the company received several complaints about scratches and dents alongside the edges right out of the box.

Phil Schiller, the senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Apple Inc., responded to a customer’s email who had complained that he received his black and slate iPhone 5 with some scratches, scuffs and marks throughout the band around the device. The customer further sought clarification from Phil Schiller whether Apple had plans to resolve these issues with the smartphone.

Schiller answered that it is common with any aluminum product to chip or scratch with usage, exposing its natural silver color.  Still, when a new product is shipped, those natural scratches should usually only appear after the user handles it.

“Scuffgate” Coined to Describe Common iPhone 5 Issue

The majority of the iPhone 5 damage issues were observed with the black version, whereas the white and silver model received no such reports. It is believed that one reason behind the problem could be the popularity of the black version of the device.

Potential customers can see images of scratches and dents on the device online.  The issue was common enough to have a coined phrase for the phenomenon:  Scuffgate.

Advantages of the iPhone 5

The new smartphone comes with slimmer design at 7.6 mm thick and a taller 4-inch display. It also comes with a two-tone design along with a metal backing. It is made from aluminum and glass, and is believed to be 20 percent lighter compared to the Iphone 4S.  The design choices have created a more sleek phone, but one that is apparently more prone to physical damage.

iPhone 5 Damage Repair – Seek Professional Help

There are a variety of issues that an iPhone 5 can suffer from, but fortunately repairs can help save the device from a landfill.  If your iPhone 5 has experienced any damage, don’t panic: iFixYouri specializes in iPhone 5 repair.

 

iPhone 5 v. SGS3 v. HTC One X: Photo & Video Quality

The process of choosing a new high-end smartphone to buy may seem exciting at first, but things can get confusing once you start focusing on the technical aspects of the product. Two important features for many smartphone users is the ability to take good photos and videos.  Let’s compare image and video quality of three very good smartphones: Samsung Galaxy S3, HTC One X and iPhone 5.

Battle of the Smartphones: Round 1 – Picture Quality

If the overall picture quality is considered as the benchmark, HTC One X is the best option because it tends to over-sharpen the image thereby minimizing degradation. Yet, iPhone 5 and Galaxy S3 cannot be called poor in this aspect.

If you want a phone that reproduces colors perfectly, then you ought to choose iPhone 5 because it does justice to snaps with natural and warm colors. The One X seems to overdo this aspect by bringing a yellowish hue into the images.

Exposure wise, the One X lags behind the other two because it tends towards under exposure. iPhone 5 scores the highest as far as dynamic range is concerned.

Smartphones will get used indoors very often. Hence, this is an important parameter. iPhone 5 scores high again and produces very good images irrespective of the quality of lighting. SGS3’s flash does a good job of taking good snaps even in poor lighting but does not match iPhone’s performance.

Round 2 – Video Quality

What about video? It is Apple all the way. Want HD videos with crisp details, perfectly natural colors and super smooth recording all the way? Choose iPhone 5. The iPhone camera seems to get great quality, well encoded video. The S3 fails in suppressing wind noise. One X just does not make the cut here. Details are vague and the capture rate is plain slow.

And the Winner is…

When you analyze the quality of images and video, there is no doubt that iPhone 5 comes out on top in a close race. It is easy to use and pretty fast too. Other two options are impressive and definitely score over similar products in the market. However, it cannot be denied that they fall behind when one compares with iPhone 5.

Regardless of the model you choose to buy, keep in mind one important fact: the device is delicate.  If anything happens to your new smartphone, you can save your tears: iFixYouri specializes in repairs for all 3 models!

iPhone vs. Man: Unbelievable iPhone Destruction Videos

Perhaps you’re buying a new iPhone.  Or perhaps your iPhone just stopped working.  Or perhaps you were just trying to access your favorite app, and the device wouldn’t open it, again, and when you try open Safari to see what the problem is, the browser just won’t load, you just can’t take it anymore…

So you decide to destroy your iPhone.

The rash solution is to throw it against a wall in frustration.  Or drop it from your 15th storey apartment.  Or smash it with a hammer.  But there are as many ways to wreak havoc on your iPhone as there are reasons for doing it.  Let’s explore some methods, so you can decide how you’ll end the life of your (once) prized possession!

Quick Household Methods to Destroy Your iPhone

When you just need to get the job done.

iPhone vs. Truck

iPhone vs. Blender

iPhone vs. Boiling Water

iPhone vs. Drill

Creative Methods to Render Your iPhone Irreparable

Imaginative solutions to destroy an imaginative device.

iPhone vs. Giant Magnifying Glass

iPhone vs. Microwave Robot

Hi Tech Punishiment for an iPhone Behaving Badly

When you’ve got toys that are more powerful than the iPhone itself, why not use them against the little weeny device?

iPhone vs. Extreme Heat

iPhone vs. Lasers

Don’t Try This At Home… Unless You’re Mad

Safety first.  New phone second.

iPhone vs. Hand Gun

iPhone vs. Angle Grinder

Who Doesn’t Love a Montage?

It Takes a Lickin’…

Testing the durability of a consumer product with entertaining methods isn’t a new phenomenon. Timex, the titan of watch manufacturers, popularized the slogan “It takes a licking and keeps on ticking”.  Check out some of the vintage ads where they tested their claims.

While the iPhone does, at times, have the ability to continue functioning after it has been drilled or dropped in water, it is a pretty sensitive electronic device that can fail when it is simply knocked off of a coffee table, or dropped into a toilet.

Unless the phone has been obliterated, most of the common damage sustained by an iPhone can be repaired.  What could be more convenient than sending your damaged device from anywhere in the States to the professional repair team at iFixYouri, who specialize in iPhone repair, and getting your baby shipped back to your hands like new?

Besides, it’s more fun to destroy a working iPhone…

 

Warranty Options for the iPhone 5

For those with a warranty on their iPhone 5 that doesn’t have extensive coverage, or a warranty that has expired, or no warranty at all, getting repairs from iFixYouri will help the smartphone owner save high repair costs, or save the device from joining a pile of e-waste.

In addition to the benefits of reduced repair costs, a good warranty can offer piece of mind.   Therefore, it is important to get the best warranty and protection plan for an iPhone 5 that provides coverage for repairs, breakage, and also replacement if it is stolen or lost. Here are a few of the best plans available today. Here are some warranty options for the iPhone 5.

AppleCare+

This plan costs $99 for two years, and coverage includes support and hardware issues. The plan is quite popular and available from retailers and directly from Apple as well. The recently updated version of the plan includes two damage claims due to accidents. This means your phone will be replaced if it is broken due to any reason for a fee of $49.

The AppleCare+ plan can be purchased within 30 days of purchase of the iPhone 5. However, when you do not purchase the plan along with a new phone, it will require inspection and an appointment at the Genius Bar.  This plan does not cover theft or loss; hence, it is not a comprehensive protection plan.

SquareTrade

The plans from SquareTrade are similar to Apple’s extended warranty plans for the iPhone 5. This plan costs $99 for two years, and $129 for three years. If you sell your iPhone 5 in that period, you can transfer the plan to the new user. The plan includes four replacements or repairs, and there is a same-day service option. Coverage is for any kind of damage, and claims require a deductible of $50. You can also pay for repairs out of pocket at the Apple Store and have it reimbursed; however, the plan does not cover theft or loss.

Protect your Bubble

This plan costs $143.99 for a one-time annual fee, and $7.99 per month if you prefer monthly payments. Apart from repairs and replacement, it also covers theft and loss; however, there is $100 deductible.

The best value of an iPhone 5 warranty seems to be plans from AppleCare+ and SquareTrade; however, if you need theft and loss coverage, Protect your Bubble is a good option. Remember that the third option is to not get a warranty at all — iPhone 5 repairs are often much cheaper if you get them yourself!

Safely Handling your iPhone 5

Does the new iPhone 5 from Apple get damaged by merely handling it? Well, no one is quite clear about this, and we will only know for sure when people have used this phone for at least two years.

The issue potentially lies in the phone’s case made of anodized aluminum. The main advantage is quite obviously the lightweight; however, when the anodizing wears off, it can cause issues of a cosmetic nature.

iPhone 5 Aluminum Case

In aluminum, you will not find the same rusting process as in iron. When iron rusts, the oxidized layer that forms on top falls off, and the rusting process starts for the layer underneath, and so on. In aluminum the oxidized layer does not fall off, which prevents the layer underneath from being oxidized. The fact is aluminum does rust, but the “rusting” stops with the initial layer.

The process of anodizing deliberately increases the oxidized layer, by about twenty to forty factors. This provides underlying layers much better protection from rust. However, my suspicion is that the iPhone 5 has been anodized to make the dying process easy, so that any color can be given to the phone. If aluminum is not anodized, you will be left with the natural aluminum color. Dying is only possible when the surface of aluminum is anodized.

It is however important to note that anodized layer can wear off in environments that are highly alkaline or acidic. According to industry experts, ph values in range of five and nine do not have much effect. However, going beyond this range, the wear will start, but nobody is sure how much.

Safely Handling the iPhone 5

The point to note is you get a ph range of 4.5 to 5.5 in human sweat. This being the case, the dyed layer of your iPhone 5 has a chance of wearing off when you handle your phone.

There are different common items that have anodized aluminum on them from laptops to frying pans. However, experts feel that none of them would be handled like a phone, and constantly exposed to human sweat. Therefore, the iPhone 5 will experience wear due to sweat, but the extent of wear is not yet clear.

After handling your iPhone 5 for a while, if you are aware that the exterior is getting worn out, you may be in need of repairs to ensure that the electronics are protected.  In this situation, don’t hesitate to contact professionals like iFixYouri who can determine how to fix any iPhone issue you face.

Has the iPhone 5 Changed Our Lives?

Regarded by many smartphone enthusiasts as being the most anticipated handheld device in the past 2 years, the iPhone 5 has certainly not disappointed (neither in performance nor projected sales). But, apart from the new sleeker design, increased screen length, LTE, lighter frame… What does the public actually think of the newest addition to the Apple family? Well one thing is certain, it is true what they say about opinions and like elbows we all have them.

 

Although the iPhone 5’s glowing reviews are warranted, I feel this reviewer makes an excellent point of the consumer being required to pay $29.99 for an adapter to integrate this phone with older Apple devices. It would have been nice to see that included with the iPhone 5, considering that the added adapter would’ve cost Apple pennies on a phone that retails for $699.

 

Now besides the adapter issue (which let’s face it, isn’t really a huge factor), Apple’s introduction of Apple Maps and the move away from Google Maps threw many users for a loop (some perhaps literally if they were trying to follow Apple’s map). As this reviewer had explained – Apple has acknowledged its error, which in and of itself is always a good thing, and is going to fix the challenge. Apple Maps features a 3D overview of a city’s geography; however, it doesn’t actually give the user the capability of getting directions to their destinations. Which (although cool), for obvious reasons is a bit of a problem considering that this is the sole purpose of any map.

 

I think it’s safe to say that the overall consensus regarding the iPhone 5 is that all that have purchased theirs are pleased with its performance. Considering that for a device with such a broad and fanatic following, it is pretty amazing that its negative reviews are so sparse and seldom found. Short of any unforeseen issues such as the dropping, drowning or other physical damage that one may do to their iPhone 5, it is pretty safe to say that Apple has not lost any fans with its latest installment.

 

Opening Weekend of iPhone 5: Over 5 Million Sold!

In its first weekend of being available to consumers, the highly anticipated iPhone 5 was quickly purchased by over 5 million fans across the US.  Apple stores in cities around the country reported selling out their Verizon and AT&T iPhones, while a few iPhones with Sprint service were still available on Sunday.

While the initial shipments were completely sold out, it is estimated that Apple could have sold an additional 2-3 million units if there was a greater supply available.  Apple CEO Tim Cook was naturally pleased with the results, but knows there were many consumers who were turned away.

“We are working hard to get an iPhone 5 into the hands of every customer who wants one as quickly as possible,” he said.  “We appreciate everyone’s patience.”

About a year ago, the iPhone 4S debuted to the public, who gobbled up over 1 million of the popular devices.

Already Disappointment with the iPhone 5

Naturally, there will be features to celebrate, as well as elements that will let down new iPhone 5 owners.  This time, the resounding disappointment comes from the new Map app, which replaces the Google Maps app that came with previous iPhone generations.  Apple’s version of the map app doesn’t include local transit information, and apparently the directions aren’t very accurate.

Apple’s response is that it plans to continue updating the app, and the features will develop over time.

iPhone 5 Sold Out – Now What?

The next shipments from Apple won’t likely appear on shelves for about a month, so those clamoring for the device will need to keep using their old models in the meantime.  Of course, when the new version arrives, so will the inevitable mechanical issues that accompany brand new complicated devices.  If you get your hands on the new iPhone and it doesn’t work properly, don’t spend time complaining about it in forums – just send it or take it in to the iPhone 5 repair professionals, iFixYouri.