iPhone XR

iPhone SE 4 might sport edge-to-edge screen

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iPhone XR performance is stellar, far better than many Android devices that cost more.
This is the iPhone XR. And it could be the iPhone SE 4, also.
Photo: Apple

The fourth-gen iPhone SE might be a blast from the past: leaked renders of the upcoming budget handset show it greatly resembling the iPhone XR.

If so, it will be the first in the SE line with an edge-to-edge screen and no Home button.

$39 mod kit turns an iPhone XR into iPhone 13 with MagSafe support

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iPhone XR to iPhone 13 mod kit
The most affordable iPhone 13 upgrade.
Photo: Combo Fixing

Getting a little bored of your iPhone XR’s aging form factor? Make it look like an iPhone 13 and add MagSafe support with this $39.50 mod kit.

The kit includes a complete chassis and tools, so all you have to do is transfer the screen and internal components from your existing iPhone. The video below walks you through the process — and shows the impressive final result.

iPhone SE 3 could steal iPhone XR’s design but miss out on Face ID

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iPhone XR performance is stellar, far better than many Android devices that cost more.
It would be a big upgrade for Apple's low-cost smartphone.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s third-generation iPhone SE may ship with a new design after all, with a new report claiming the low-cost device will look a lot like iPhone XR.

It is expected to get a much larger 6.1-inch display with significantly slimmer bezels. But unlike iPhone XR, it could ship with Touch ID integrated into its power button, rather than Face ID. It may also be Apple’s last LCD iPhone.

iOS 15 doesn’t turn older iPhones into slugs

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iPhone 8 Wireless Charging
Put iOS 15 on your iPhone 8 and you could improve the performance and battery life. And get lots of new features.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Some users of older iPhones refuse to install iOS upgrades because they mistakenly think these will reduce the performance of their handset. But tests comparing iOS 15 with various previous versions found no sign of Apple’s latest turning any model into a slug. Some of the devices actually ran faster with newer software.

And the same goes for battery life, in general. Most older iPhones have a longer battery life with iOS 15, though some do see a reduction.

7 reasons the 6.1-inch iPhone 13 makes a worthy upgrade for iPhone 11 or XR [Review]

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6.1-inch iPhone 13 review
Still carrying an iPhone XS or even an iPhone 8? The iPhone 13 is better in virtually every way.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Those looking for an upgrade for the iPhone 11, XS or 8 need search no further than the 6.1-inch iPhone 13. Apple’s latest midsize handset offers far better performance than those older models, a noticeably longer battery life and a better camera. Plus there are some other nice additions, like a smaller notch.

Snag an unlocked iPhone XR refurb for under $320 today only

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The iPhone XR will feature Haptic Touch. But just what is that?
Don't miss out!
Photo: Apple

Want a bargain iPhone that packs some of Apple’s best features? Look no further than a refurbished iPhone XR. You get an edge-to-edge display, Face ID, stereo speakers, and more — and all for less than $320. This sale ends today, so claim yours before it’s too late.

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What’s old is new: Apple will push its older iPhones over the holidays

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iPhone sales
Expect to see more iPhone XR handsets on shelves this holidays.
Photo: Apple

With coronavirus-related production challenges stifling the supply of iPhone 12 models, Apple is reportedly turning to older models to sell during the all-important holiday season.

According to a new report, published Thursday, Apple is seeking to “make up for shortages of its 5G lineup” by upping its orders for the iPhone 11, iPhone SE and iPhone XR handsets. Don’t expect to see a whole lot of iPhone 11 Pro or 11 Pro Max handsets, though!

Bag bargain iPhone refurbs for as little as $99.99 today only

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Analyst complains iPhone’s average selling price is slipping
Don't miss out!
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Woot’s spectacular sale on refurbished iPhones is back, with big savings to be had on a wide range of models. Prices start at a mere $99.99 for iPhone 6s and rise to just $769.99 for iPhone 11 Pro Max.

This sale is good for today only. Enjoy it while you can!

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Pick up an iPhone refurb for as little as $94.99 today only

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iPhone XR portrait mode
They won't last long!
Photo: Apple

Amazingly cheap iPhone refurbs are back at Woot! You can pick up various models, from iPhone 6S to iPhone XR, with prices starting at a mere $94.99 today only. Stock is selling fast so claim yours while you still can.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Bargain iPhone refurbs are back! Get yours for under $130 today only

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Analyst complains iPhone’s average selling price is slipping
Stock is selling fast!
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

If you missed out on cheap iPhone refurbs the last time Woot had a huge blowout, it’s time to redeem yourself. A whole host of models — from iPhone 7 to iPhone 11 Pro — are now available, with prices starting at a mere $129.99.

This sale is good for today only, so act fast!

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Apple faces another lawsuit over iPhone XR’s ‘inferior’ Wi-Fi antennas

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The iPhone XR will feature Haptic Touch. But just what is that?
Some iPhone XR owners really aren't happy with their purchase.
Photo: Apple

Apple on Monday was hit with a second class-action lawsuit over iPhone XR’s “inferior” Wi-Fi antennas.

The company is accused of hiding the fact that its more affordable handset, released in 2018, shipped with a 2×2 MIMO antenna array, while the pricier iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max packed a 4×4 MIMO array.

Twelve South’s stunning SurfacePad comes to iPhone 11 series

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Twelve-South-SurfacePad-iPhone-11
Orders yours today from $39.99.
Photo: Twelve South

Twelve South’s stunning SurfacePad is a case (kind of) for iPhone owners who hate cases — and it’s now available for iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max.

SurfacePad is a sheet of high-end leather that sticks to the back of your device and wraps around to cover its display. It keeps your iPhone free from scracthes, without the drawbacks of a traditional case.

Order yours today from the Cult of Mac Store.

3D Touch is dead. Long live Haptic Touch

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3Dtouch
Au revoir 3D Touch.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

3D Touch, the pressure-sensitive screen tech ushered in by Apple, has officially met its end.

Introduced as one of the major new features on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, Apple said 3D Touch was going to take multi-touch into a whole new dimension. Jony Ive waxed poetic about the new peek and pop gestures 3D Touch would enable in an Apple video explaining the feature. With the unveiling of the iPhone SE this morning, 3D Touch is as good as dead and we can’t say we’re really going to miss it.

Fixed Wi-Fi chip flaw leaves many Apple devices vulnerable to intrusion

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iPhone XR test
The iPhone XR uses a Wi-Fi chip that's affected by the vulnerability.
Photo: Apple

Security researchers discovered a critical flaw in Wi-Fi chips made by Broadcom and Cypress Semiconductor that were used in Apple devices.

The discovery was presented at the RSA security conference in San Francisco this morning, revealing that billions of devices could have been affected. Attackers could use the vulnerability to decrypt private data sent over the air. Most manufacturers have already released a patch to fix the issue, but it’s unclear how many of the devices have been updated.

The following Apple devices were affected:

Apple made the No. 1 and No. 2 smartphones in the world last year

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iPhone XR portrait mode
iPhone XR was the year's most popular handset.
Photo: Apple

The iPhone XR was the world’s most popular smartphone last year, claims market research firm Omdia. The iPhone 11 followed in second place.

In its Smartphone Model Market Tracker report, released Tuesday, Omdia says Apple shipped 46.3 million iPhone XR handsets in 2019. That’s more than double the 23.1 million units it shipped in 2018 (although it was only released on October 26 that year.)

Underwater iPhone case goes deep for stellar pics

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AquaTech AxisGo waterproof case
Your iPhone photos will go below the surface.
Photo: AquaTech

Yes, the iPhone 11 Pro is waterproof-ish enough to survive a good soaking in a pool, lake or ocean. But why chance it when you don’t have to?

Should you fancy a photo swim, you will want to consider the AquaTech AxisGO underwater camera housing for the iPhone 11 lineup.

iPhone XR was India’s no. 1 ‘ultra premium’ smartphone in 2019

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iPhone XR was India’s no. 1 ‘ultra premium’ smartphone in 2019
The iPhone XR was a big hit in India last year. Relatively speaking.
Photo: Apple

Apple was reportedly the fastest growing premium smartphone brand in India last year — with a massive 41% growth year-over-year. The iPhone XR wound up being the country’s most popular “ultra premium” handset, claims Counterpoint Research. This was followed by Samsung’s Galaxy S10 Plus and OnePlus 7 Pro.

That’s great news for Apple. But there’s still a long way to go.

iOS 13.3.1 eliminates iPhone XR’s connectivity issues on O2

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iPhone XR 1
You can use your iPhone XR on O2 again.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s most recent iOS update eliminates the connectivity issues plaguing iPhone XR owners on O2, the U.K.’s second-largest carrier.

Many users have been unable to make calls or browse the internet without being connected to Wi-Fi. But O2 today confirmed that updating to iOS 13.3.1 restores normal functionality.

Apple promises fix for iPhone XR issues on UK’s second-largest carrier

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Struggling Apple display-maker secures massive bailout
Struggling Apple display-maker secures massive bailout
Photo: Apple

Apple has acknowledged a connectivity issue with iPhone XR units connected to O2, the second-largest carrier in the United Kingdom.

Many users have been unable to make or receive calls or text messages. They have also been stuck without a reliable data connection, which renders most apps unusable without Wi-Fi.

Latest iOS update gives older iPhones longer battery life, better performance

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iPhone
The iPhone 8 and other Apple handsets see real benefits from iOS 13.3.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

There are sometimes concerns that new iOS versions will cut the battery life of older iPhone models, or slow down performance. Tests on a variety of Apple handsets with the just-released iOS 13.3 show just the opposite — this update not only speeds up these devices, it increases the time between charges.

iPhone launch schedule may get big shakeup in 2021

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iPhone11
iPhone 11 has been good for business.
Photo: Apple

Big changes could be coming to the way Apple launches iPhone, starting in 2021.

Analysts at JP Morgan Chase published a new research note today claiming Apple is readying its supply chain to be able to launch new iPhones twice a year. The move would supposedly give Apple more flexibility to add new features over a six month period and better compete with companies like Samsung and Huawei.