iPhone 7 - page 2

Mystery iPhone spotted in Apple code hints at surprising refresh

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iOS 11 Beta 4
It's a great time to buy older Apple devices.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is expected to introduce three new smartphones this fall — all of which will include some of the best features of iPhone X. But it seems it could have another surprising refresh up its sleeve.

One developer has discovered references to an unreleased device that closely resembles the iPhone 7.

‘Loop disease’ could kill your iPhone 7 or 7 Plus

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Fixing 'loop disease' requires disassembling the iPhone 7 or 7 Plus.
Photo: IFIXIT

It has a ridiculous name, but it’s a serious problem. Incidents of “loop disease’ are reportedly sending growing numbers of iPhones to the repair shop.

This isn’t a new virus or an iOS bug. Instead, it’s a hardware problem affecting older iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus units.

More buyers prefer Apple’s latest iPhones than in the past

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latest iPhones
More iPhone buyers selected a newer phone, like the iPhone 8, than when the iPhone 7 line was new.
Photo: Apple

Buyers were slow to buy when the latest line of iPhones first launched. But new market research shows today’s shopper is more likely to slap down a credit card for a new model than the previous cycle.

The findings from the group M Science are in line with figures showing the popularity of the iPhone 8 and iPhone X.

Here’s how much each country makes off the iPhone 7

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iPhone-7
The major components for the iPhone 7 come from a variety of counties. Most at of the profit still goes to the U.S.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The iPhone is made in China, so most of the profit stays over there, right? Actually, everything in that sentence is wrong.

A new study finds that China makes less than $9 from each iPhone 7. Some of the rest goes to other Asian countries, but the lion’s share is earned by Apple and other U.S. companies.

iOS 11.4 is killing battery life on some iPhones

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iPhone X Notch
How's battery life on your iPhone with iOS 11.4?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple rolled out iOS 11.4 in late May, finally delivering AirPlay 2 and stereo support for HomePod. If you haven’t already updated, you might want to avoid it for now.

Some iPhone users are reporting battery life problems after installing Apple’s latest release. It seems the issue affects everything from the iPhone 6 to the iPhone X.

iOS 11.3 breaks some iPhone 7 microphones

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iPhone-7
How’s your iPhone 7 mic after updating to iOS 11.3?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s recent software updates have broken some iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus microphones.

Users report that they cannot be heard during calls since updating to iOS 11.3 or later. Apple has advised Authortized Service Providers that they can initiate repairs if necessary — even on devices that are no longer covered by a warranty.

2018 iPhones may not come with free headphone dongle

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iPhone-Lightning
New regulations could force Apple to ditch Lightning cables in Europe.
Photo: Tinhte

Apple might be planning to make it even more difficult to use your old 3.5mm headphones if you buy a new iPhone this year.

New iPhones have included a Lightning port adapter for headphones ever since Apple removed the headphone jack on the iPhone 7. That free dongle is about to go away this year, according to one Apple analyst.

Get your Star Wars fix with these Solo iPhone cases

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otterbox
Just in time for Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Photo: Otterbox

The most anticipated Star Wars movie of 2018 is nearly here and OtterBox has got the official cases to get you ready for the premiere.

OtterBox’s new Solo: A Star Wars Story Symmetry Series cases are out in advance of the film, providing fans with three awesome artworks to choose from that pay tribute to some of the most classic characters in a galaxy far far away.

Now anyone can play Fortnite, the year’s hottest iOS game

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Fortnite iOS 14
Everyone should welcome skill-based matchmaking.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Fortnite, the hottest game of 2018, is finally available on iOS for everyone to download, no invite code needed.

The game has been in beta on iOS the last few weeks and required a special invite code to get in on the battle royal action. Now anyone with an iPhone SE or later can get in on the action anywhere you have an internet connection.

Week’s best Apple deals: Save on iPad Pro, iPhone 7 and accessories!

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ipad pro
The 10.5-inch iPad Pro is a real screamer (and it's on sale now for the best price we've ever seen).
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

This week, you can go pro and upgrade your iPad, or snag a sweet deal on a refurbished iPhone. Plus, get an app that tracks cryptocurrencies — for free! You’ll find those bargains and more in our roundup of the week’s best Apple deals.

This simple machine recycles plastic bottles into iPhone cases

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iphone case creator
The mold alongside some of the iPhone cases created.
Photo: PhonBloks

Plastic bottles are one of the biggest sources of polution in the world, but a briliant inventor has created a brilliant solution to get rid of it: turn all the old plastic into iPhone cases.

Phonebloks creator Dave Hakkens recently revealed his latest creation that uses CNC-milled tools to recycle milk bottles, coffee tops and other used plastics to give them a second life rather than wasting away in a landfill.

Check it out:

Battery replacement program could be bad news for iPhone sales

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iPhone battery
Brazil demands easy iPhone battery replacements.
Photo: iFixit

Apple’s iPhone battery replacement program could cause the company to lose out on millions of new iPhone sales, according to analysts at Barclays.

It was revealed last month that the company intentionally throttles CPU speeds on some iPhones with older batteries to provide an overall better experience. Apple has offered $29 battery replacements to make up for it, but that might be bad news for its bottom line.

Apple’s $29 iPhone battery replacement just got easier

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iPhone battery
Brazil demands easy iPhone battery replacements.
Photo: iFixit

New Apple support documentation leaked from one of its retail stores that the company’s new $29 battery replacement program is a lot less strict than some customers originally feared.

Earlier in the week, some iPhone customers reported that the genius bar refused to swap their battery if it wasn’t under 80% capacity. According to a new documentation though, employees have now been instructed to replace batteries no matter what.

The best iPhone screen protectors

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cracked-iphone
Don't let this happen to you.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

Dropping your iPhone may crack it, but the most likely way to ruin the screen is to scratch it. You might drop your iPhone into your bag and let it rattle around with your keys. You may absent-mindedly slip some change into your dedicated iPhone pants pocket. Or your significant other might pick up your week-old iPhone and a nail file in the same hand, gouging the screen so badly that the scratches are all you’ll ever see from then on.

To prevent this, you should get an iPhone screen protector. Here are the best you can buy.

Apple in 2017: A year of epic proportions

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Apple year in review 2017
Did any company have a better 2017 than Apple?
Image: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Cult of Mac's 2017 Apple year in review 2017 was a pretty damn good year for the world’s most profitable tech company.

Apple did much more than rake in more cash than any company this year. Cupertino also pushed out its most impressive product lineup ever, laid the groundwork for the future of augmented reality, moved into a new spaceship campus, battled other tech giants and got tossed into the political spotlight.

Apple dominated the tech scene in 2017 more than any other company. Here’s a recap of some of the year’s most memorable Apple moments.

Week’s best Apple deals: Best price yet on a refurbished iPhone 7

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iPhone 7
Apple makes iPhone 7 more affordable.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

It’s no iPhone X, but the iPhone 7 remains a remarkably good phone. This week, you can snap up a refurbished iPhone 7 at the lowest price yet.

That’s not the only winner in this week’s roundup of the best Apple deals, either. We found a big bargain on a tiny iPad, plus a hot deal on an iPhone X case and a handy (and free!) iOS app.