Apple Launches iPhone 6s Repair Program for Faulty Batteries

Last week, Apple launched a repair program after acknowledging the Apple iPhone 6 Plus had a touchscreen issue widely dubbed as 'Touch Disease'. The program is not well-received as Apple blamed users instead of acknowledging that there is a design fault on the phone.

Because of that, the repair will cost Apple iPhone 6 Plus owners US$149. Now we have a second repair program underway, only this one is for the Apple iPhone 6s.

A small batch of Apple iPhone 6s handsets manufactured between September and October 2015 have a battery issue. There's no threat of injury or device damage, but it may unexpectedly shut down. The battery is at fault and Apple will happily replace it for you for free.

For those experiencing the unexpected shut downs, take the problematic Apple iPhone 6s to an Apple retail store or an authorised Apple service provider. The serial number of the device will be checked to verify it is carrying one of the faulty batteries. If it is, expect a replacement to be fitted to solve the issue.

Before taking it in to be checked, Apple recommends backing up the data to Apple iTunes or iCloud, turning off the 'Find my iPhone' feature, and erasing data and settings in Settings > General > Reset > Erase all Content and Settings.

There are two ways this 'free repair' could end up costing money. If the APple iPhone 6s is experiencing the shut down problem and is not eligible for the repair program, users are, likely, expected to pay for the fix. Also, if the smartphone has another issue that interfere with a battery replacement, for example, the screen is cracked, Apple won't replace the battery unless you agree to have that fault repaired as well, which won't be free.

Apple addresses ‘Touch Disease’ with reduced cost repair for iPhone 6 Plus

Many an iPhone 6 Plus has been struck down by the scourge known as “Touch Disease,” but Apple has not acknowledged the problem was systematic or widespread — until now. In what we have to imagine is as close to a mea culpa as Apple is likely to offer, iPhone 6 Plus devices exhibiting flickering displays and touchscreen issues are eligible for a reduced-price repair.

Apple is careful to note that this problem mainly appears “after being dropped multiple times on a hard surface and then incurring further stress,” though iFixit suggested that the problem could also be due to the phone’s infamous tendency to bend. Either way, some force must be exerted on the phone, resulting reliably in a critical touchscreen component being damaged or unseated — and that makes it, like it or not, at least partially a user-caused issue. Apple declining to call it a design flaw or manufacturing defect seems to be a point of pride on their part.

Phones with Touch Disease will be repaired for $149, and if you previously had it repaired or replaced for similar symptoms — which might have cost you upwards of $300 — Apple will reimburse you the difference.
iFixit pointed out in an email to TechCrunch that this price is about what third-party repairers have charged in the past to fix the issue, and considering refurbished phones are subject to the same problem, the 90-day warranty is rather short.

Notably, the program is only for the iPhone 6 Plus, and although a similar problem has been seen on the 6, we can probably trust Apple’s numbers and say this was primarily an issue with the Plus.

It certainly took long enough: It’s been more than two years since the 6 Plus was announced, and Apple never addressed the Touch Disease issue, despite it being quite common — and despite quietly reinforcing the next generation of iPhones to prevent the problem (the one they didn’t publicly acknowledge) from occurring again.

In fact, it was long enough that a lawsuit was filed alleging that Apple knew the problem existed and failed to provide adequate support to affected users. I contacted the law firm leading that suit to see if the repair program affects it in any way, and will update this post if I hear back.

Better late than never, though, and covering previous repairs is generous by Apple standards. Drop by an Apple store or authorized dealer, or talk to tech support to get your afflicted iPhone 6 Plus back in action.

How To Add A MicroSD Slot To Your iPhone

With ever-improving cameras, bigger screens to watch videos, and better speakers for listening to music, we’re storing more on our phones than ever before.

However, it seems phone manufacturers can’t (or won’t) keep up with the demand for physical memory, instead politely pushing us towards their cloud storage accounts while muttering about subscription fees under their breath. Apple deserves to be singled out for this.

After being criticized for years for only offering limited physical storage, they launched a 128GB version of the iPhone 6 – only to axe this option a year later when they announced the iPhone 6S.

But there is an alternative to paying monthly for iCloud, which Android users have enjoyed for years. The Leef iAccess allows iPhone and iPad users to transfer data to a microSD card.

As well as backing up files, its also a great way of transferring photos from your digital camera to share them online on the go.

Transfer photos using Leef iAccess

01.) Clip and connect

Insert a microSD card into the rear slot of the Leef iAccess, before clipping the device into the lightning port of your iPhone.

02.) Open the app

Now download the MobileMemory app from the App option listed on the main menu. Store. Once opened, it will perform You can then select what you want a scan to try and find your iAccess.

3. Transfer files

Choose the ‘Transfer Files’ option listed on the main menu. You can then select what you want to move across from your phone.

4. Interchange cards

At any point you can swap microSD cards around. Press on the inserted card to eject it and slot in a new card instead.

---

WHY SHOULD YOU USE MICROSD CARDS?

Competition is rife for those who want a simple solution to store and transfer their files. Despite this, the market for microSD cards has never been stronger, with more users looking for a secure and cheap way to keep their files with them wherever they go. Here’s why we think microSD cards will still be here for years to come.

01.) They’re safer than the cloud

While our smartphones are now tailored for cloud storage, the lack of encryption can potentially put your files at risk from snoopers and thieves. Having a physical microSD card enables users to take their most treasured files with them and there is a range of carry cases available to stop you misplacing them.

02.) You can use them everywhere

MicroSD support is so widespread that there is a whole bunch of devices you can use with them. For example, everyone’s favourite action camera, the GoPro, contains microSD ports for users to record in-flight footage and then have a simple way of transferring the footage onto their PC or Mac.

03.) Transfer speeds are unbelievable

One of the gleaming features of most modern microSD cards is the incredible transfer speeds that they can achieve when moving files to and from devices. SanDisk’s newest Ultra range of microSD cards can move files at 45MB per second. For larger files, this sort of card is a no-brainer to use.

04.) Lots of storage, low price

As more companies are developing microSD cards, prices are at the lowest they have ever been. A standard 64GB card can now be picked up for less than £20, which works out cheaper in the long-term than if taking out a cloud storage account subscription.

05.) Easy to convert

Once you have downloaded your files to your microSD card, you may wonder what you can now do with them. It’s simple enough to port them directly onto your desktop computer or even use a microSD adapter to convert them across to a full SD card and expand your options even further.

Report: iPhone 6 Demand Overwhelms Foxconn

Another iPhone launch, another round of reports about overseas suppliers overwhelmed by orders.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Foxconn is operating 100 production lines "around the clock," churching out 140,000 phablets and 400,000 smartphones every day, but it's still not enough to satisfy pre-orders.

The Journal said the Zhengzhou, China-based factory has more than 200,000 employees dedicated to making iPhone 6 and 6 Plus handsets and their key components. But with a record 4 million pre-orders in the first 24 hours, Foxconn is reportedly struggling to craft the devices fast enough.

These type of reports are nothing new. In 2012, Foxconn acknowledged iPhone 5 production delays. And yet, everyone eventually got their phones.

A July report from the Journal said that Apple asked its suppliers to manufacture between 70 and 80 million of the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch handsets by Dec. 30.

The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus go on sale Friday in the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, and the U.K. A week later, they'll hit 20 more countries.

But only the fastest to successfully pre-order their phones will receive the gadgets this week; others can expect a package later this month or in October, particularly the iPhone 6 Plus. Delivery estimates for iPhone 6 are now at 7-10 days, while iPhone 6 Plus is at 3 to 4 weeks.

A handful devices will be available to walk-in customers at Apple retail stores this Friday at 8 a.m., but don't expect supplies to last. Also check your local AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon brick-and-mortar locations.

Apple did not immediately respond to PCMag's request for comment.

For more, see PCMag's Hands On With the iPhone 6, 6 Plus and the slideshow above. Also check out our side-by-side comparison iPhone 6 vs. iPhone 6 Plus: Big or Bigger?