iPhone 5s - page 2

Why I won’t ditch my iPhone SE to go back to a bigger handset

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Keeping the SE
You’ll have to pry the iPhone SE out of my tiny hands.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

For the last year and a half I’ve been using the massive iPhone 6 Plus. I love its 5.5-inch screen for watching videos, checking my social media pages, and browsing the web.

But after spending the last week with the diminutive, 4-inch iPhone SE, my thoughts on whether I need such a big phone have changed.

Check out my reasons below.

This is the ‘iPhone 6 SE’ Apple should have made

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The 'iPhone 6 SE' has a 4-inch screen with an iPhone 6 body.
The 'iPhone 6 SE' has a 4-inch screen with an iPhone 6 body.
Photo: Computer Bild

The design of the iPhone SE is a bit stale for some Apple fans, but if you’re dying for a 4-inch iPhone that comes with the sleek curves of the iPhone 6 and 6s some determined modders from Germany have found the perfect solution.

Unhappy with the iPhone SE body, Computer Bild managed to take extract its guts and shove them into one of those fake 4-inch iPhone 6 housings from China we spotted last month. After more than two hours of careful modding, the end result is the iPhone SE Apple should have built. Better yet, it actually works.

You can watch the madness unfold below, but this is one mod you might not want to try at home.

iPhone SE only costs Apple $160 to build

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iPhone SE
A new iPhone SE could be coming soon.
Photo: Sam Mills/Cult of Mac

When it comes to building iPhones, it really pays to use old parts.

The iPhone SE only costs Apple about $160 to build and assemble, based on the latest findings from an IHS teardown that discovered one the display, Apple cut costs down to less than half by using the same four-inch screen found on the iPhone 5s.

Apple fixes Activation Lock bug with iOS 9.3 update

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Get your iOS device up to date fast and easy.
Get your iOS device up to date fast and easy.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

A fix for the Activation Lock bug that plagued older devices that upgraded to iOS 9.3 has been released by Apple this morning, after the company pulled iOS 9.3 availability on select iPhones and iPads last week.

Apple pushed out iOS 9.3 build 13E237 to iPad Air and earlier models, as well as the iPhone 5s and earlier models. The previous build bricked those models during Activation Mode due to failed password authorization.

‘Leaked’ iPhone SE packaging confirms 16GB storage and Apple Pay

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iPhone SE will be the star of Apple's March 21 keynote.
iPhone SE will be the star of Apple's March 21 keynote.
Photo: Martin Hajek

The official debut of the iPhone SE is just days away, but it appears that packaging for the new device has already been spotted in the wild, and it confirms some of the device’s new features.

A photo of what appears to be an iPhone SE box was posted on Weibo this morning. If the box is indeed the real deal, Apple’s new 4-inch device will definitely be called the iPhone SE, and it’ll be the first budget-sized iPhone to support Apple Pay.

Here’s a look at the packaging:

Why you should upgrade your older iPhone to iOS 9.2.1

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iOS 9.2.1 vs 8.4.1 speedtest
Aaaaaaaand ... go.
Photo: iApple Bytes

Some informal testing reveals that if you’re still rocking an old iPhone, you should probably upgrade to iOS 9.2.1.

iApple Bytes put three different models of older iPhones — the 4s, 5 and 5s — up against each other in a variety of tests designed to see which of them was faster starting up, using apps and running Siri, Apple’s digital assistant. Half were running the brand-new iOS 9.2.1, which arrived yesterday, and half were still on iOS 8.4.1, which has been around since August 2015.

You can see their results below in iApple Bytes’ series of videos.

China Mobile roadmap reveals iPhone 7c launch date

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A concept rendering of the iPhone 6c.
A concept rendering of the iPhone 6c.
Photo: Martin Hajek

The biggest wireless carrier in the world may have just revealed when the iPhone 6c 7c will finally launch.

Rumors of the iPhone 7c have been heating up the rumormill for months now, and with the device’s big unveiling supposedly just around the corner, it appears that China Mobile has accidentally confirmed to the world that the new low-cost iPhone will arrive by April 2016.

4-inch iPhone 6c may pack Apple Pay and powerful A9 chip

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Will the iPhone 6c be a flop like the 5c?
Will the iPhone 6c be a flop like the 5c?
Photo: Gadgetmac/Flickr

The upcoming 4-inch iPhone that has been picking up steam in the rumor mill the last few weeks won’t be a weakling when it comes to processing power, according to a new report that claims Apple’s new A9 chip will power the device.

Apple expert Ming-Chi Kuo at KGI Securities told investors today that his sources indicate the iPhone 6c is definitely real, and that it will look more like the iPhone 5s than an iPhone 6.

Apple could sell an updated iPhone 5s with better internals

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iphone 5s
Apple's next handset?
Photo: Apple

There have been plenty of reports about a possible new 4-inch iPhone in the works. A new report, however, claims that the device is essentially an “iPhone 5s Mark II,” and even runs through the supposed internal components of the handset.

Best of all, it’s reportedly ready for production and can be shipped any time from now.

Last chance to save big on a tiny, tough Lightning cable that goes anywhere [Deals]

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Titan's MFi-certified Loop is a superb way to keep a charging cable on hand when and wherever you need it.
Titan's MFi-certified Loop is a superb way to keep a charging cable on hand when and wherever you need it.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

These days, the charging cable for our mobile devices is almost as important to keep on our person as the house keys. Titan Loop is a great way to keep both on hand, a lightweight, steel-sheathed lightning cable that can also fold into a loop that attaches to anything else you regularly carry around with you. For a very short time, Titan Loops are still available for $19.95 at Cult of Mac Deals.

Old iOS device? These iOS 9 features will work just fine

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Best Buy is preparing for shoppers wanting iPads.
Best Buy is preparing for shoppers wanting iPads.
Photo: Apple

If you want to use the new gee-whiz features of iOS 9, like Picture in Picture to FaceTime with your significant other while you write a paper in Pages, or you want to Slide Over a Twitter app to keep track of all the goings on while you surf the web, you’re going to need a newer device.

However, all is not lost if you have an older device. Most of the power of iOS 9 is under the hood, making even older devices just a little more battery efficient, just a bit more useful.

If it’s gold you want, 6s is your only option

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Only the iPhone 6s comes in gold now.
Only the iPhone 6s comes in gold now.
Photo: Apple

Apple announced that it’s dropping the price on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 5s this morning, but what it didn’t tell fans is that if you want a gold iPhone, the only way to get one is to upgrade to the newest model.

Apple removed the option to purchase the gold finish on the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6 from its website today. Both devices have come in gold since they were introduced, but now it looks like Apple wants to force anyone who wants their iPhone to shine like gold to upgrade to the latest and greatest model.

Here’s the updated list of iPhone models and their color options:

Even in Low Power Mode, your iPhone 6 is still faster than the iPhone 5c

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The successor to the iPhone 5c is nearly here.
Low Power Mode will still make your iPhone 6 more powerful than the 5c.
Photo: Apple

It’s no surprise that the iPhone 6 and iPhone 5s are significantly faster than the iPhone 5c. Yet, even with iOS 9’s Low Power Mode turned on, the newer phones still manage to make long strides over that plastic (yet colorful) contraption.

Geekbench released an update to its app today, adding support for iOS 9. Even though iOS 9 is still in beta, the new tools have already revealed some surprising facts about the iPhone 6. Upon running benchmarks on an iPhone 5c and iPhone 6 in low power mode, the tools show that the iPhone 6 is still more powerful that the 5c.

All the ways Apple left us hanging at WWDC 2015

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Tim Cook announces “one more thing” at WWDC 2015.
They probably shouldn't have stopped at one.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s two-hours-plus keynote at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) this week was packed with new and exciting information about the future of software for its current major hardware. But we couldn’t help but notice some things that were missing.

Here are some of the ways Apple’s presentation left us hanging this year.

Filmmaker has mixed feelings about his iPhone masterpiece

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Tangerine was filmed with the iPhone 5s but it's cinematic feel comes from an app, a lens adaptor and several hours of post production. Photo: Sean Baker
Tangerine was filmed with the iPhone 5s, but its cinematic feel comes from an app, a lens adapter and several hours of post-production work. Photo: Sean Baker

There was the buzz going into Sundance and the applause of satisfied audiences at the end of the movie’s screening. But there was also a collective gasp as the last line of the credits rolled past.

Shot on the iPhone 5s.

Sean Baker’s Tangerine, the story of two transgender sex workers in Hollywood, was a break-out hit at the renowned film festival in January. The Hollywood Reporter said the film stands out as “crisp and vigorously cinematic.”

Oft-praised for the rich fringe characters in his independent films, Baker did not set out to change the filmmaking landscape by shooting with a cellphone. Like most indie filmmakers, he had no money.

T-Mobile knocks $100 off 64GB iPhone 6 for Cyber Monday

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iPhone
iPhone 6 and 6 Plus sure are koala-ty phones. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
Photo: Jim Merithew

Still waiting for a good excuse to upgrade to the iPhone 6? If you didn’t take advantage of any of the Black Friday deals, T-Mobile announced this morning that it’ll give you a 64GB iPhone 6 for the price of the 16GB version.

The Cyber Monday deal only last for the next 24 hours, but will save you $100 on the price of the 64GB iPhone 6 which normally sells for $749.99 unlocked on T-Mobile.

Similar deals are also available for the 64GB iPhone 5s, which is now on sale for the price of a 32GB unit. You can also pick up a 32GB iPhone 5c for the price of an 8GB iPhone 5c, saving you $50 on each. The deal is web-only, so you can’t go into a T-Mobile store to pick one up, but you can still use the carrier’s $350 termination fee bonus to switch carriers.

Source: T-Mobile

Best warranty options for your new iPhone

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iPhone 6 Plus Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
What happens if you accidentally crack the gorgeous screen on your iPhone 6 Plus? Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Naturally, you hope your new iPhone will stay in mint condition until you’re ready to upgrade or resell. But the fact is, if you cringe at the possibility of a $200 repair bill for a broken screen, it’s time to think about getting an extended warranty.

You’ve got several options: AppleCare+ is available for purchase with new hardware, and mobile carriers and third-party warranty providers sell plans with different perks. You should also check out your personal insurance provider if you’ve got one. Some homeowner’s and renter’s policies offer protection plans for personal belongings, and you might already be covered. The deductibles tend to be steep, but it’s still worth giving your insurer a call to know your options.

Deciding on a warranty can be tricky, so we’ve done the hard work for you.

Review: Smaller iPhone 6 proves bigger isn’t always better

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20130919_iphone6-review_0060
The iPhone 6 is as good as gold. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

My first impression? My goodness, this is the small one?

The iPhone 6 is a big step up. It makes older iPhones look small. Ridiculously small. Even after a few days, my old iPhone 5s feels positively Lilliputian. The 6 dwarfs the 5s, which felt big and expansive at the time. Now it looks like a little dolls’ phone.

I’ve been really digging the 6. It’s a big bright slab of glass and metal. It feels impossibly thin, almost like an oversize credit card in your hand. But it’s solid and stiff — it’s not going to snap in my back pocket if I sit on it.

The 6 is not a gob-smacker like the 6 Plus, which stops people in the street. But it’s more manageable, especially with one hand.

I’m a big fan. I like it a lot, except for one design flaw that’s been driving me crazy.

iPhone price drops, Samsung’s Alpha dog and the rest of this week’s hottest Apple news

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post-292437-image-a3cccac48b6bbeedc3efb2a1fdd559bb-jpg

With the probable iPhone 6 reveal nearing, a new Samsung device — referred to as the Samsung Galaxy Alpha — has leaked. The ongoing Apple-Samsung rivalry means the two companies battle each other with practically every new device and software update. But will Samsung’s latest offering hold its own against the iPhone 6? Or will it become another faceless device that’s simply here then gone?

Watch today’s Cult of Mac news roundup to see the latest rumors regarding Apple’s and Samsung’s latest devices, tech luminaries taking the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, and the inside scoop on how a former Apple employee turned his store uniform into cash for his favorite charity.

Subscribe to Cult of Mac TV on YouTube to catch all our latest videos.