The iCare Phone Repair team put a rose gold iPhone 6s to a durability test — because why not? Is it really as “tough” as Apple claimed it to be compared to other iPhones? How durable is the new iPhone 6s?
We lined up at the Apple Store in Eastwood Town Centre on the first day of its release to be one of the first iPhone 6s owners. Although it broke our heart (and those of the other Apple fans) to subject a brand new rose gold iPhone 6s to “torture” to test its durability, we were up for the challenge.
The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus are made with 7000 Series aluminum, the strongest alloy we’ve ever used in an iPhone.
How true is this statement? Watch our video to find out! And don’t forget to enter our iPhone 6s Giveaway Contest to celebrate our 3rd anniversary! Don’t worry, it’s a different iPhone 6s. *wink*
After the news about the Keyraider Malware broke out a few weeks ago, another hacking news has alerted the iOS community. When before it was only jailbroken Apple devices that were affected, now legitimate apps that you may have downloaded from the App Store have been infected. So even if your iPhone, iPad, or iPod is not jailbroken, your device’s security may still have been breached.
The security threat is called XcodeGhost, which was able to bypass App Store security and now potentially affects hundreds of millions of Apple users. The App Store has a strict approval team, making it difficult from hackers from China to infiltrate it so they went for the middleman instead. The hackers inserted malicious code in a customized version of Xcode, a tool used by developers to package iOS apps, and made it available to developers in China. The unofficial Xcode was released from untrusted servers in China, and downloaded by unsuspecting developers.
The counterfeit Xcode was then used by developers to work on their apps, and more than 50 apps containing the XcodeGhost were accepted in the App Store. This includes the popular chat app WeChat, which has around 600 million users. These infected apps have been removed from the App Store since it was discovered by research company Palo Alto Networks.
The developers are currently rebuilding these apps using the official Xcode software, but while you wait until the malware has been removed, it is wise to uninstall them from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod right away.
Apple has finally released the iOS9 and you’re probably excited to upgrade your OS right away. But before you do so, here are some things you should know first so you won’t have to delete any of your favorite apps, images, or videos.
Installing the iOS9 update will require 1.3GB — or even more space if you haven’t upgraded your Apple device for some time. During the iOS8 update last year, some users reported needing 5.7GB of free space to download the software.
This can be a big problem if your iPhone only has an internal storage of 8GB or 16GB. To go around this issue, the answer is simple: iTunes.
Download the update through iTunes in your computer and transfer the software to your device. Thus, you won’t need to delete any data from your device to make space for the download. Do it through the computer, not over the air.
Steps:
1. Back up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to your computer and iCloud.
2. Select “Check for Update” to install iOS9.
3. Don’t click “Restore iPhone” to avoid deleting any data.
And that’s how you upgrade to iOS9 seamlessly! Of course, you may avoid having to plug your device into a computer if your iPhone has more internal storage than a simple 16GB. With all the apps and data going through your device nowadays, the bigger the storage the better.
To learn more about the changes made on the iOS9, we recommend this review by Mashable.com.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
Just when we thought that Apple would forever be against phablets, here they are now with their second generation of plus-sized phones. The iPhone 6s Plus is making waves in the world of mobile technology after Apple’s big event, but how does it compare next to the newest Android phablet, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5. Let’s take a look.
The iPhone 6s Plus still looks the same as the iPhone 6 Plus, except it will come with the new rose gold option. And it promises to be the most durable of all iPhones as it is made from stronger aluminum. No more “bendgate” for sure.
The Galaxy Note 5 has moved away from the fake leather design that the Note 4 has, and instead looks much classier with a glass and metal case. The Note 5’s S Pen is also very useful for many who choose to use it. Just be careful not to put the S Pen in the wrong way or it can seriously damage your phone.
The iPhone 6s Plus retains its 5.5-inch display as its predecessor, with 1920×1080 pixel resolution and 401 ppi. It also boasts of the 3D Force Touch technology, which detects not only taps, but also presses and long presses.
If you receive a text message, just press on the message and it will pop out in a preview window. When you let go, it will hide. This means you don’t need to bother with closing and re-opening tabs for small tasks, and you can just use the touch gestures to see a preview.
The Note 5 display is steps ahead with its 5.7-inch AMOLED display with 2560×1440 pixel resolution at 551 ppi. It’s so far one of the best displays you can find in a mobile device.
The iPhone 6s Plus will run with the new 64-bit A9 processor with an M9 motion co-processor. Apple does not provide a lot of details but the RAM may have been upgraded to 2GB. The 6s Plus will come in 16, 64, and 128GB storage options.
The Note 5 is run by Samsung’s Exynos 7420 processor plus a blazing 4GB of RAM. Definitely one of the fastest phones you can find out there today. Internal storage comes in 32GB and 64GB.
From 8MP, the iPhone 6s Plus now comes with 12MP rear camera with optical image stabilization. The front camera is now at 5MP, with the display now acting as a flash. Video-recording is available at 4K and the camera turns photos into short videos.
When it comes to megapixels, the Note 5 takes the cake with a 16MP rear camera with LED flash, image stabilization, and impressive low-light performance. The front-facing camera is also at 5MP, just like 6s Plus.
Even though the iPhone 6s Plus battery may be a little smaller than its predecessor, the iOS 9’s power management may still make it more efficient. Besides, Apple should not be releasing a newer phone with worse battery life, right?
The Note 5’s 3,000 mAh battery is smaller than the one in the Note 4, and unfortunately, does not last as long as its predecessor. But Samsung compensated for this shortcoming as the Note 5 supports fast charging and also fast wireless charging.
iPhone 6s Plus or Galaxy Note 5?
It always comes down to your preference between iOS and Android. But if you are still on the fence, here’s some tips. If you’re looking for a powerful phone with astounding horsepower and more personalization options, you can go for the Note 5.
But when it comes to looking elegant and taking better photographs, you might want to choose the iPhone 6s Plus. The iPhone’s camera specs may not look good on paper but Apple works its own magic with its camera sensor, which delivers better photos.
Have you made your decision? Or will you be buying another phone model instead? Don’t forget that iCare Repair buys old iPhones and smartphones, so if you need extra cash for your new phone, visit any of our locations near you. If you would rather buy an older iPhone or Galaxy phone, we also sell pre-owned devices. Whatever you choose, we hope you’ll love your new phone!
Now that Apple is set to unveil its latest iPhones, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, now is the perfect time to sell your old iPhone. You’ll be able to get the best possible price for your smartphone, and you can use that cash to offset the cost of buying the new iPhone.
According to rumors, the next generation iPhones will be released on September 18. So while you still have time, better cash in your old phone.
How much is an old-generation iPhone worth?
Based on the prices gathered on eBay and analyzed by NextWorth (a gadget trade-in site), resale values will start falling by about 10 percent in September and October. As many iPhone users prefer to have the latest Apple device, they start selling their handsets as they wait to purchase the new iPhone. The market now becomes infiltrated with a huge supply of older iPhones. As we have learned in economics, when the supply goes up, the prices go down.
By the end of the year, the value of your phone can lose as much as 30 percent of a phone’s secondary market price, according to CNN Money. Nextworth has seen this trend happen consistently for the past four years every time Apple releases the latest iPhone.
Where can you sell your old iPhone?
You’ll want to shop for prices first before you sell your iPhone. Here at iCare Repair, our prices are real-time and are based on the prices of our online competitors. So you can be sure that you’re always given a fair value for your iPhone, no matter the condition.
An AT&T iPhone 6 with 128GB can be sold to us for as much as $293 (as of the time of publication of this article). If you wait until the end of the year, you may only be able to sell it for as low as $205.
A T-Mobile iPhone 6 Plus with 128GB can fetch you up to $315, but by December, it may only be worth $220. Of course, your iPhone’s value will depend a lot on its condition, storage capacity, whether or not it is unlocked, and if it is under a contract.
Before selling your iPhone, make sure to back up your memory and do a factory reset of your phone. You don’t want the next person to be able to get ahold of your personal data. Here’s our Lansing manager, Nando, who will explain the proper steps you should take before selling your iPhone.
On the flipside, now is also the best time to upgrade your iPhone to a later model because of the large supply of iPhones in the market. iCare Repair offers pre-owned iPhones at our several locations, so give us a call and ask for the model you want.
If you have jailbroken your iOS device, then you may be one of the at least 225,000 jailbroken users whose Apple IDs and passwords were stolen by the KeyRaider malware. According to the report released by security specialists Palo Alto Networks, this may be the “largest known Apple account theft caused by malware”.
See also: One Simple Text Can Hack 950 Million Android Devices
How KeyRaider steals information
If your device was not modified, then you should breathe a sigh of relief. The malware targets only hacked or jailbroken iOS devices using the Cydia repository to steal your account information. Cydia is an app store for jailbroken iPhones, and it allows users to download paid apps and in-app purchases for free.
Palo Alto Networks’ Claud Xiao explains, “the malware hooks system processes through MobileSubstrate, and steals Apple account usernames, passwords and device GUID by intercepting iTunes traffic on the device.” The stolen data is then uploaded to the malware’s server. The attackers use the stolen account credentials to download apps from the App Store without paying.
And it doesn’t stop there. KeyRaider also steals Apple push notification service certificates and private keys, which then prevents the infected device from being unlocked by the passcode or the iCloud service. Some users found their iPhones and iPads being held in ransom because of this malware attack.
Why jailbreaking is dangerous
So if you’re thinking about jailbreaking your iPhone or iPad, this is a reminder that it’s NOT a good idea especially when you are not aware of the tweaks you’re installing.
Jailbreaking is the same as hacking into the device because the user is going around the built-in security protections, making it vulnerable to malware attacks like this. KeyRaider is not the first of its kind; there was also the “Unflod” that intercepted encrypted traffic to steal passwords. The malware AppBuyer not only stole account information but also purchased apps from the App Store without the user’s permission.
How safe are you from KeyRaider
The bulk of the malware attacks are in China but it expands to up to 18 countries including the United States. China is the biggest victim because the malware was distributed through Chinese Cydia repositories, and many pre-jailbroken iPhones are being sold to customers.
The 225,000 users affected is only a very small percentage to Apple’s 885 million iTunes accounts (as of 2014). However, this in eyeopener to curious minds about the potential dangers of jailbreaking your device.
If you’re having software issues on your iPhone or iPad, visit our iPhone Repair and iPad Repair list of services.
Michigan State University and Lansing Community College students! Take advantage of our $10 off coupon when you have your smartphone or tablet repaired at our locations at the Meridian Mall and Lansing Mall.
Just show us your school ID and like us on Facebook or Twitter to get the discount!
BAY CITY, Mich. – Sep 12, 2016 — iCare Repair delivers same-day repair of mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. The Michigan-based tech repair company specializes in repairing cracked screens, water damage, camera issues, and other software and hardware problems. Its newest corporate store, iCare Repair Bay City, opened August 22 at 3760 Wilder Road, making it the 11th iCare store since the company’s inception in 2012.
Daniel Peabody, iCare’s founder, responded “iCare Repair is really excited that we are coming to the Tri-Cities! We are now open in Saginaw and Bay City and will soon be open in Midland. We are quickly approaching our four year anniversary and very excited to announce that we will have our 13th location opened by the end of this year. We are also excited to announce that our franchise program is already seeing great success. Our franchisees are excited and are opening up multiple locations. iCare Repair is becoming a trusted household name in electronic repair. That’s easy to understand with our bend over backwards customer service.”
iCare Repair’s newest corporate store is located in Bay City. It is located near the Bay City Mall in a convenient location to provide residents of the community quality service at an affordable price.
“We noticed there were not repair shops in the tri-city area. We had individuals contact us from the area to inquire about repairs. It was a great opportunity for us to secure the phone and tablet repair market of Saginaw and Bay City,” said Regional Manager Brandon Mistry.
iCare Repair of Bay City is located at 3760 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706. For more information on our repair services and price quotes, call (989) 327-1966 or send a message on its Facebook page.
You can also follow this link to learn more about iCare Repair: icarerepair.com. If you’re interested in opening an iCare store in your area, request more information about franchising.
SAGINAW, Mich. – Sep 6, 2016 — iCare Repair delivers same-day repair of mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. The Michigan-based tech repair company specializes in repairing cracked screens, water damage, camera issues, and other software and hardware problems. Its newest corporate store, iCare Repair Fashion Square Mall, opened July 30 at 4787 Fashion Square Mall, Suite 410, making it the 10th iCare store since the company’s inception in 2012.
Daniel Peabody, iCare’s founder, responded “iCare Repair is really excited that we are coming to the Tri-Cities! We are now open in Saginaw and Bay City and will soon be open in Midland. We are quickly approaching our four year anniversary and very excited to announce that we will have our 13th location opened by the end of this year. We are also excited to announce that our franchise program is already seeing great success. Our franchisees are excited and are opening up multiple locations. iCare Repair is becoming a trusted household name in electronic repair. That’s easy to understand with our bend over backwards customer service.”
iCare Repair’s newest corporate store is located in Saginaw in Fashion Square Mall. It is located near Saginaw Valley State University to provide students and residents of the community quality service at an affordable prices.
“We noticed there were not repair shops in the tri-city area. We had individuals contact us from the area to inquire about repairs. It was a great opportunity for us to secure the phone and tablet repair market of Saginaw and Bay City,” said Regional Manager Brandon Mistry.
iCare Repair of Saginaw is located at 4787 Fashion Square Mall, Suite 410, Saginaw, MI 48604. For more information on our repair services and price quotes, call (989) 327-1966 or send a message on its Facebook page.
You can also follow this link to learn more about iCare Repair: icarerepair.com. If you’re interested in opening an iCare store in your area, request more information about franchising.
