A New iPhone Is Coming. Should You Upgrade or Just Fix Your Old One?
By improving sluggish performance or replacing a broken screen, you can make your old iPhone feel new agai
4 min
When the scent of pumpkin spice lattes starts to fill the air, I know it’s time for those texts from friends and family: “Should I get the new iPhone?”
My answer? Ehh, probably not. Temptation to upgrade will be high after Apple’s Sept. 9 launch event. And there are very good reasons to buy the new model.
But just because your oldie but goody suffers from sluggish performance, short battery life or a cracked touch screen, it isn’t doomed to become e-waste.
By spending a little on repairs, you could save hundreds of dollars and extend your current iPhone’s life by a year or more. Plus, it’s worth waiting for the imminent iOS 26 software update , which will add new tricks to recent older hardware—at no additional cost.
Upgrade, update or repair?
That all depends on your model and its condition. Is your current iPhone…
…more than six years old? Upgrade. Apple supports iPhones with new software updates for about seven years. The version of iOS expected next month doesn’t support iPhone XS, XS Max or XR, or any earlier models. These updates include crucial security fixes, and outdated software can put your data at risk, so yes, you’ll need new hardware.
…a 2019 or newer model? Update. iOS 26 comes with a live translator, spam-call screener and other helpful new capabilities, though the “liquid glass” redesign will require some adjustment.
A note: Even if your model is compatible with iOS 26 , some tricks are only available in the newest iPhones. Apple Intelligence, which includes access to ChatGPT via Siri and Genmoji, only works on iPhone 15 Pro, all of the iPhone 16 models (including the 16e ) and of course the iPhones Apple is about to announce.
… feeling slow? Or short on battery life? Repair. A battery replacement can help with performance and battery life. As your iPhone’s battery ages, the device is designed to draw less power, which means occasional unexpected shutdowns.
Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. If the capacity is below 80%, you should replace your battery. That should cost $99 or less, depending on the model.
If your battery is above 80%, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Deleting unused apps or uploading photos to the cloud can help with speed too.
…cracked? Repair. The cost depends on your model and the damage.
Apple’s online tool can spit out an estimate for an Apple Store screen swap, which generally runs between $199 and $379. You typically make an appointment and then wait about 30 minutes.
Independent shops can offer you a lower price for a third-party aftermarket part, but quality can vary. While iPhones now have OLED screens, you can go cheap and replace yours with an LCD screen. But they don’t look as good and can cause rapid battery drain, said Jessa Jones, owner of iPad Rehab Microsoldering, a mobile-device repair and data recovery shop in Honeoye Falls, N.Y.
If you’re given the option, go for a “soft” OLED screen for the best combination of sharpness and durability.
Broken back glass is trickier. Apple charges between $199 and $499 for this repair. Jones said it often requires swapping the whole external housing to preserve water-resistance.
Cameras are one of the simplest repairs, Jones said. She replaced two different camera lenses on her iPhone 12 Pro, and the raw materials only cost her $1.43. Through Apple, this repair costs between $169 and $249. Jones’s shop charges $50 plus tax for a repair with aftermarket parts.
…not working properly? Repair or replace. Start with an Apple Store consultation. Issues such as water damage or a faulty charging port need a deeper assessment. For these trickier cases, Apple may recommend paying for a replacement phone. In that event, if you don’t have AppleCare, it might be better to buy one of the latest iPhones instead.
A local, independent shop might have more creative solutions. “For water damage, we’d tear down the entire phone, remove everything, and let it sit in a dehumidifier for a little while,” said Alex Hausfeld, a franchise consultant and former technician at uBreakiFix, which has over 680 repair locations.
Apple Store vs. repair shop vs. DIY
If you live near an Apple Store or an Apple-authorized service provider, a repair is straightforward. You can make an online reservation for in-person support , and often the repair can happen while you wait.
If you’re far from a store, Apple’s mail-in option can take up to nine business days, round trip.
There are also DIY kits from Apple , iFixit and others—a route for savvy tinkerers only, warned Jones. “Taking off a screen used to be like shucking an oyster. But they have become thinner and thinner. They’re easy to break, and really expensive.”
A local repair shop can be more convenient and affordable than either of those options. But because quality varies, uBreakiFix’s Hausfeld suggests vetting the technician with these questions:
• Is the replacement a genuine original manufacturer or aftermarket option? If it’s the latter, ask about potential impacts to performance.
• After the repair, how will the water-resistance and durability of the phone change?
• What warranty do you offer for replacement parts? Many shops should guarantee their parts for at least six months; uBreakiFix has a one-year warranty.
This year, your best iPhone upgrade might be a fresh battery, a clean screen and some new software tricks. Plus, the extra cash you get to keep in your pocket.
Copyright 2020, Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. LEARN MORE
A record-breaking $11 million sale at The Centennial Collection has set a new benchmark for luxury apartment living in Bondi Junction.
As interest rates, inflation and market sentiment fluctuate, investors are being urged to focus on data, not panic.
Built up over more than a decade, Ravensdale Farm and Retreat blends luxury living, resort-style amenities and productive farmland across almost 50 hectares.
2 min
When an estate has been carefully curated by its wealthy owners for more than a decade, the next custodian knows they’re in for a treat of a retreat.
Food-packaging entrepreneur Ted Nathan and his wife, Jenny, purchased the original 25ha Ravensdale Farm in Yarramalong Valley for $1.35 million 12 years ago according to title records.
Since then, the pair have reportedly invested more than $5.5 million to acquire several neighbouring parcels in order to create a contemporary compound now measuring more than 49ha.
Today’s Ravensdale Farm and Retreat, about 24kms from Wyong, is now a dual-estate 12-bedroom, 11-bathroom luxury landholding.
The property is expected to sell for about $30 million via an expressions of interest campaign with Cullen & Royle agents Deborah Cullen and Richard Royle.
Alongside the modern three-storey five-bedroom farmhouse, there is a long list of “must have” resort-style amenities and productive farmland primed to produce a passive income.
Framed by a 4m wraparound veranda, the sophisticated main residence has several outdoor spaces for homeowners and their guests to soak up the bucolic backdrop, lush paddocks and established gardens.
Inside, the homestead features multiple living spaces for grand scale entertaining inside and out, a library, a home office, private cinema, games room and accommodation designed for large families or a steady stream of weekend guests.
Custom made for hosting year round, the expansive estate also includes a sports bar with a commercial-grade kitchen, a championship size tennis court which can be transformed into an alfresco cinema when the mood strikes.
Additional spaces designed for fun include a sunken fire pit, a hidden garden with a European-inspired pétanque court, a pickle ball court and a private paddock dedicated to major events and functions.
There is also a separate second residence, Ravensdale Retreat, devoted to guest stays or potential short-term accommodation.
The bonus residence is set up to provide a fully self-contained experience outside of the main home when needed. It has a choice of bedrooms, a spacious living area, an outdoor pavilion, pizza deck, and its own pool.
Beyond its weekender credentials, Ravensdale Farm lives up to its name. A working farm, the estate has cattle infrastructure, fertile pastures featuring Kikuyu and Rhodes grasses complemented by high end irrigation and water systems, as well as land management systems designed for efficiency and long-term resilience.
The land can comfortably support cattle and horses – currently home to approximately 40 cows and calves, plus horses – and has productive fruit orchards, vegetable gardens, a chicken coop and a restored century-old barn.
Surrounded by the rolling green hills of the Yarramalong Valley, Ravensdale Farm and Retreat is approximately a 25-minute drive from Wyong and around 90 minutes from Sydney with coastal hotspots like Terrigal and The Entrance are within easy reach.
Ravensdale Farm and Retreat is on the market with a price guide of $30m via an expressions of interest campaign with Cullen Royle.
Travellers are swapping traditional sightseeing for immersive experiences, with Africa emerging as a must-visit destination.
Micro-needling promises glow and firmness, but timing can make all the difference.
