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The iPhone is a smartphone from Apple that runs the iOS mobile operating system. Between its apps, communication features, the camera, mobile internet access, and other functionalities, the iPhone has quickly become an integral part of many peoples tech lives.

Why are iPhones Faster Than Android Phones? The Truth!

by Dave Johnson

We’ve all had numerous debates with friends and family over which is faster smartphone. Regardless of what hardcore Android users might say, the iPhones are faster than Android smartphones. Read on as we discuss the main reasons why iPhones are faster.
Having used both platforms daily for years, I have encountered way fewer hiccups and slow-downs using iPhones. Performance is one of the things iPhones usually does better than Android smartphones. So, why are iPhones faster than Android smartphones?

Top reasons why iPhones are faster than Android phones

Apple Manufactures iPhone Processors

Generally, whenever Apple announces a new iPhone, it also announces a new System-on-a-Chip. Inevitably, comparisons are made between Apple’s latest SoC and the latest offerings from Qualcomm, Samsung, Google, and MediaTek. It doesn’t usually take long for benchmarking numbers to appear and for Apple to be declared the winner.

So, why is it that Apple’s SoCs always seem to beat the competition? Why are the processors used by Android seemingly so far behind? Are Apple’s chips really that good? Well, let me explain.

The iPhones are much faster compared to Android smartphones due to their superior processors. Apple does not rely on processor chip manufacturers for its hardware. Instead, it designs processors that conform to its vision of the latest iPhone. By building its own processors, Apple is able to have complete control over the design and performance of products.

Apple also designs processors that use Arm’s 64-bit instruction architecture. That means that Apple’s chips use the same underlying RISC architecture as Qualcomm, Samsung, and Google. The difference is that Apple holds an architectural license with Arm, which allows it to design its own chips from scratch. Apple’s first in-house 64-bit Arm processor was the Apple A7 which was used in the iPhone 5S. It had a dual-core CPU, clocked at 1.4 GHz, and a quad-core PowerVR G6430 GPU. It was manufactured using a 28nm process.

Fast forward several years and Apple’s latest offerings for mobile, use a hexa-core CPU, using Heterogeneous Multi-Processing (HMP), and an in-house GPU (after Apple decided to stop using Imagination’s GPU, while still licensing the underlying tech from Imagination). The six CPU cores are made up of two high-performance cores, and four energy-efficient cores.

In short, Apple’s recent generations of processors offer better CPU performance than every other smartphone processor, from any company. Why?

On paper, the scores for Apple’s processors (which only have 6 cores) are faster than the octa-core scores for all the processors. And not just for one generation, but two, or even three. Things like the GPU, the DSP, the ISP, and any AI-related functions. These other parts of the SoC will influence the day-to-day experience of any devices using these processors. However, when it comes to raw CPU speed, Apple is the clear winner.

This can be a bit hard for Android fans to stomach. So what is the reason? First, we need a bit of a history lesson.

It is fair to say that Apple caught Qualcomm sleeping when it announced the 64-bit A7 back in 2013. Until that point, Apple and Qualcomm had both been shipping 32-bit Armv7 processors for use in mobile devices. Qualcomm was leading the field with its 32-bit Snapdragon 800 SoC. It used an in-house Krait 400 core along with the Adreno 330 GPU. Life was good for Qualcomm.

When Apple suddenly announced a 64-bit Armv8 CPU, Qualcomm had nothing. At the time one of its execs called the 64-bit A7 a “marketing gimmick”, but it didn’t take long for Qualcomm to come up with a 64-bit strategy of its own.

In April 2014, Qualcomm launched the Snapdragon 810 with four Cortex-A57 cores and four Cortex-A53 cores. The “Cortex” range of cores come directly from Arm, the custodians of the Arm architecture. But in that same year, Apple announced the A8, its second-generation in-house 64-bit CPU. It wasn’t until March 2015 that Qualcomm was able to announce its first-generation in-house 64-bit CPU, the Snapdragon 820, with its custom Kryo CPU core.

In September of the same year, Apple released the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus using the A9 processor, Apple’s third-generation 64-bit in-house CPU. Suddenly Qualcomm was two generations behind Apple.

In 2016, Qualcomm’s offering was from Arm again, but it had a twist. Arm created a new licensing program that allowed its most trusted partners early access to its latest CPU designs and even some measure of customization. The result was the Kryo 280 CPU core. According to the spec sheet, the Snapdragon 835 uses eight Kryo 280 cores, however it is generally accepted that it has four Cortex-A73 cores (with tweaks) plus four Cortex-A53 cores (with tweaks). For the Snapdragon 835, Qualcomm moved the announcement from spring to winter meaning the 835 was announced after the Apple A10 and the iPhone 7.

Qualcomm’s first 64-bit CPU arrived in the same year as Apple’s third.
This ping-pong match continues. Things changed slightly when Arm introduced the Cortex-X range. These CPU cores were designed to lessen the gap between Android’s processors and Apple’s. The Cortex-X CPUs are designed first for the highest performance, even at the risk of higher power consumption. That is why there is normally just one Cortex-X core in a mobile processor and then three high-end Cortex-A cores, and then four power-efficiency cores. A 1 3 4 setup.

So, what is different about Apple’s CPU cores?

There are several key things to recognize about Apple’s CPU cores.

First, Apple had a head-start over just about everyone when it comes to 64-bit Arm-based CPUs. Although Arm itself announced the Cortex-A57 back in October 2012, the proposed timeline was that Arm’s partners would ship the first processors during 2014. But Apple had a 64-bit Arm CPU in devices during 2013. The company has since managed to capitalize on that early lead and has produced a new CPU core design every year.

Second, Apple’s SoC efforts are tightly coupled to its handset releases. Designing a high-performance mobile CPU is hard. It is hard for Apple; for Arm; for Qualcomm; for everyone. Because it is hard, it takes a long time. The Cortex-A57 was announced in October 2012, but it didn’t appear in a smartphone until April 2014. That is a long lead time.

However, that lead time is changing. The cadence at present seems to be that Arm announces its new CPU designs in the late Spring and OEMs start to announce devices towards the end of the year or the start of the next year. Normally around 6 to 8 months after the CPU designs have been announced. Of course, the smartphone makers don’t get to hear about the newest processors when we do, they are read-in to what is happening for maybe 18 months ahead.

Third, Apple’s CPUs are big and in this game, big means expensive. It is estimated that the Snapdragon 888 has around 10 billion transistors, whereas the Apple A14 has 11.8 billion transistors. The A15 consist a total of 15 billion transistors. The A16 Bionic is even bigger at 16 billion transistors, allowing faster data processing. The new chip is based on TSMC’s latest 4nm fabrication process, which makes it super efficient. The key here is that Apple sells smartphones, not chips. As a result, it can afford to make the SoCs more expensive and recoup the money in other places, including the final retail price.

Arm and Qualcomm, however, are in the chip selling business. Arm does the CPU core design for Qualcomm (and others like MediaTek) and Qualcomm designs the chips, which it, in turn, sells to handset makers like Samsung, Sony, LG, etc. Arm needs to make a profit. Qualcomm needs to make a profit. All the OEMs need to make profits. The practical result is that Qualcomm can’t afford to make overly expensive processors or OEMs will start looking elsewhere.

Apple can afford to make its SoCs more expensive and recoup the money in the iPhone’s final retail price. Arm and Qualcomm can’t.

Forth, and finally, Apple’s plan of making processors with wide pipelines at (initially) lower clock speeds has come to fruition. In very broad terms, SoC makers can either make a CPU core with a narrow pipe, but run that pipe at high clock frequencies; or use a wider pipe, but at lower clock speeds. Like a real-world water pipe, you can either pump water at high pressure through a narrower pipe or at lower pressure through a wider pipe. In both cases, you can theoretically achieve the same throughput. Arms processors tend to use narrower pipes (but that has changed slightly with the Cortex-X range), while Apple is in the wider pipeline camp.

iPhones Have Large Cache Memory

The cache is an important factor in the performance of smartphones today. Cache memory performs much faster than RAM, and a large cache memory allows smartphones to perform significantly better.

Lags and system glitches are way too common even in flagship Android smartphones; iPhones are not prone to this thanks to a larger high-performance cache. Apple’s CPUs have big caches. Silicon costs money and for some chip makers, their profit margin can be found in just 0.5 mm2 of silicon saved. Apple is able to make bigger chips (in terms of silicon costs) and that includes large caches.

The Apple A14 has 4MB of L2 cache for each of the high-performance cores, and 16MB of system cache. The A15 uses even bigger caches with 6MB for each of the high-performance cores and 32MB of system cache. These caches are huge compared to the 2.5MB total of L2 cache for the high-performance cores on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or the 10MB total of L3 and system cache.

Both the A16 Bionic’s Everest (P) cores now have access to a total of 16 MB L2 cache (vs 12 MB on the A15). On the other hand, the System Level Cache (SLC) has been slashed to 24 MB from the A15 Bionic’s 32 MB. The increased memory bandwidth should offset the lower cache value. On the other hand, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 cores can use the shared 6 MB level 3 cache.

A larger cache memory allows faster data exchange with the CPU, thereby boosting the overall processing speed. Despite Android smartphones having vast amounts of RAM, iPhones perform considerably better thanks to the high-performing cache memory.

iPhones Have Excellent Software and Hardware Optimization

Whether Apple processors are better or not, what matters most is iOS is optimized to work perfectly with the few devices Apple makes. Meanwhile, Android is dropped into a sea of smartphones, tablets, and other products. It’s up to OEMs to optimize the software for the hardware, and they sometimes do a poor job at it.

The iPhones are faster than Android phones because the iPhone’s hardware is optimized for its software and vice-versa. Apple’s closed ecosystem makes for tighter integration, so iPhones don’t need super powerful specs to match the high-end Android phones. It’s all in the optimization between hardware and software. Since Apple controls production from beginning to end, it can ensure resources are used more efficiently. Furthermore, developers have to follow a stricter process to release apps, not to mention they don’t have to optimize their apps for what may seem like an infinity of devices.

This is not to say all iOS devices can outperform all Android devices. Some Android phones are made with beastly internals and stunning performance. Generally, though, iOS devices are faster and smoother than most Android phones at comparable price ranges. For example, an iPhone 14 can perform nearly as well as the highest-end iPhone, and it starts at $799 MSRP. Even the budget iPhone SE is a great performer.

iPhones Have No Bloatware

Bloatware is software you don’t want that burdens and slows down your device. These are programs that are preinstalled on new devices, come bundled with other downloads, or are injected into your system through malicious sites.

No matter how you buy your iPhone, where you buy it from or what iPhone you buy, you won’t see any bloatware preinstalled when you boot it up for the first time. That means it’s clean from the very start, with no power- or data-siphoning apps you didn’t ask for sabotaging things behind the scenes. The iPhone has only has a few pre-installed Apple apps, and you can uninstall even those in just a few taps.

The Android device, in comparison, the moment you power it on for the first time, you’re treated to a sea of unwanted apps that not only clutter your phone but also affect its performance. Even spending $1,800 on a Galaxy Z Fold 3 doesn’t spare AT&T customers from the affront of seeing software like CNN and DirecTV Now cluttering their app drawers. And it can be even worse if you buy a budget handset that has been heavily subsidized by a discount carrier. Tons of Google apps are automatically added, and not to mention the unwanted OEM apps. It is almost impossible to get rid of these apps for good without rooting your phone.

Bloatware significantly impacts the overall performance of your device. A large number of background resources are utilized by these unwanted apps causing your Android not to use resources where needed.

See also: Why Are iPhones So Slippery? Here’s The Truth!

Reasons why iPhones are faster than Android phones: now you know!

Apple’s iPhone has consistently delivered a brilliant smartphone experience to its loyal users. The iPhones are Generally faster than android phones and it will be very rare to find an Android device that can compete with the iPhone. There is no doubt that the iPhone is very expensive compared to flagship Android devices, and while many term it “Apple Tax,” the truth is far from it.

iPhones are generally much smoother, faster, and have significantly better longevity compared to Android smartphones. They can outperform flagship Android devices thanks to Apple-manufactured hardware and system software.

Tag: iPhone Tips
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Why Are iPhones So Slippery? Here’s The Truth!

by Moses Johnson

It’s no doubt iPhones are so slippery. Here’s why
How would you describe iPhones in one word? Exciting? Extravagant? Expensive, perhaps? In any case, I doubt that ”slippery” is a word on your mind right now.

I own several iPhones, and like millions of owners I marvel at the premium design of the casing. It is sleek, simplistic, and feels sensual in the hand. Unfortunately, that comes with a penalty when you use the devices.

In the last week alone I’ve almost dropped my iPhone 15 Pro Max due to the slippery back. The new design and slim profile make this huge iPhone one exquisite-looking piece of technology that’s a real pleasure to use and carry around, but there is nothing “grippy” to hold securely in the hand. Just turning one slightly in the hand can see it slip right out, leaving you to lunge to catch it before it hits the harsh floor.

I know I’m not the only one to experience it, I’ve seen other people perform the “iPhone dance” while trying to catch the device slipping out of the hand. I’ve seen numerous iPhones that weren’t saved before hitting the dirt and were subsequently sporting those disturbing cracks in the glass.

I recently spoke with an acquaintance about the slippery iPhone and he confessed his wife has had her iPhone screen replaced four times. She’s not clumsy, he said, it just slips out of her hand when she’s using it.

Some of you will be quick to point out that you just have to put a case on the phone to avoid the problem. You’d be correct, too, but let’s face it, if you have to put a case on an iPhone to use it securely, that’s what I’d call a design flaw. Good design is not just about making it look good, it’s also about usability.

We’ve seen this slippery problem since the first iPhone. It was sleek and beautiful but you needed a case to keep it in the hand. Then Apple followed that up with an iPhone that was not only sleek and gorgeous, but that was totally enclosed in glass. When that one slipped out of the hand it would not only crack the display but the back, too.

I’m convinced this inability to hold the iPhone securely in the hand is the real reason the bumper case was developed. It was released under the guise of dealing with Antennagate, but I believe it was really to deal with the design choice that makes the phone difficult to hold. After all, the term “bumper” denotes a thing designed to minimize the impact of a collision. Like what happens when the iPhone drops to the floor.

Take an iPhone 15 as an example, the device looks magnificent and feels great, but try using it without any case or cover and you know what I mean. It is almost impossible to hold in the hand without dropping it. Move it around while holding it and it doesn’t feel secure at all. It’s like holding a wet bar of soap covered in lubricant. While beautiful with the new matte frosted back, it’s downright impossible to get a good grip! You have to squeeze it so hard to try to grip it.

Unless I’m reviewing a case, I like to use my iPhone naked. But that’s not possible with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, because it’s too damn slippery.

Its matte glass panels, coupled with its size and weight, mean it’s nearly impossible to go a week without dropping the iPhone 15 Pro Max. And if you don’t drop it, it will surely slide off something or slip out of your pocket.

I can already hear the responses to this: “don’t buy an iPhone if you don’t like this.” Unfortunately, the sleek design of iPhones has been picked up by many of its competitors, so that’s not an answer.

Reasons Why iPhones Are so slippery

Glossy Frame

The first reason why iPhones are so slippery is because of the steel frame on the side of the phone. The steel frame looks more like a piece of jewelry rather than a phone. But the good news ends there. The steel frame is so glossy and slippery that it’s nearly impossible to pick up the iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 13 pro, or iPhone 14 Pro from your desk without risking dropping it midway. A case would help, of course, but it will diminish these premium looks. Better safe than sorry, i guess.

Frosted glass back,

Another reason why iPhones are so slippery is because of the frosted glass back, flat again, which looks nothing short of gorgeous. Whether it’s white or blue, gold, Deep Purple, or product red, it’s an instant eye-grabber. Plus, it feels presently soft on touch, and you’ll just loved running your fingertips across this surface.

Unfortunately, while the rear glass isn’t a smudge-fest like the frame, it is just as slippery. For instance, the matte glass on the iPhone 12 Pro series, iPhone 13 Pro series, iPhone 14 Pro series and iPhone 15 pro series provides an awful grip, and the only thing that kept me from constantly dropping them were the square, though not razor-sharp, edges of the frame.

On one hand, matte glass surfaces have the advantage of being immune to fingerprint smudges. Besides, they’re a rare design trait in the smartphone world, so that would instantly make the newer iPhone stand out among a crowd of shiny, flashy competitors.

But on the other hand, matte glass surfaces tend to be slippery. Like, really slippery.

I’ve handled various iPhone models with matte glass backs including iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro,, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro, and they’ve all felt slippery no matter what. The reason? It could be that when you have a matte glass surface – which is rough and uneven at a microscopic level – tiny gaps of air exist between it and your skin. Perhaps shiny glass surfaces have more contact area with your skin, therefore providing better grip.

The iPhone 8 is equally a slippery line of phones. When the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus came out in 2017, people complained about them being very slippery. This was due to the iPhone 8 series featuring glass on the front and back — the first time Apple had done this since the iPhone 4S. Previous iPhones, like the iPhone 7 and iPhone 6S had an aluminum back that wasn’t as slippery.

Having said that, the iPhone 6 and iPhone seven are so slippery because their bodies are made from anodized aluminum. Anodized aluminum is very slippery. The slipperiest iPhone was the iPhone 6 series. Apple gradually improved grip by making the aluminum on the iPhones 6s and 7 less prone to moisture. In addition, the curved sides on iPhone 7 and iPhone 6 series mean that you don’t have a good way to lock the phone in your hand like you could with a phone that has a more pronounced edge. This point is less a compromise for technical reasons, and more of a criticism of the fundamental way this phone was built from the start.

How To Make iPhone Less Slippery?

iPhones offer a sleek design with matte glass and stunning stainless steel frame all around, but while it sure looks aesthetically pleasing to the eye, it’s useless when it comes to providing grip. The slippery texture on a an iPhone makes it prone to falls and makes it hard to use with one hand. Maybe you hate to cover up the exquisite iPhone design but don’t you hate to see your lovely device damaged if it were to fall?

Many people are willing to cover the premium glass design of their iPhone with something like a plastic case, so long as that case comes with a promise of apt protection from daily wear and tear.

And although getting a case might feel like a compromise to some, aside from protecting your iPhone from scratches, it might even save it from the occasional accidental drop. In addition, impact protection aside, many cases are grippy and less likely to slide off the table as smooth glass will.

With the iPhone offering a sleek (and slippery) design, it’s arguably more important than ever to put it in a case for extra protection and less slippage, especially if you don’t have AppleCare or insurance for your device.

Tag: iPhone Tips
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Top 15 Reasons Why iPhones Are Better Than Android Phones

by GeeksModo Staff

When buying a new phone, people usually have to choose between two of the most popular operating systems. Here are 15 reasons why iPhones are better than Android phones.

Nothing sparks debates in the tech community faster than saying iPhones are better than Android devices or vice versa. Android users often argue that iPhone users only care about branding. On the other hand, iOS fans believe Android devices have unnecessarily complex, impractical features.

However, shopping for smartphones should go beyond opinions. Although both have their bad and good points, there are several areas wherein one operating system outperforms the other.

So, if you’ve been leaning toward buying a new iPhone, we’ve rounded up all the ways that iOS is better than Android to help you make an informed decision.

Fifteen reasons why iPhone is better than Android

Here are fifteen reasons why Apple iPhones are better than Android phones!

1. iPhones Retains Market Value

Unlike their Android rivals, an iPhone holds good resale value over time. Apple also holds tight control on device prices among third-party vendors. You will hardly see an iPhone going for a discounted sale in the first six months of availability.

The latest iPhone models typically cost at least 10% more than top-of-the-line releases from Android brands like Samsung or LG. However, they usually retain their market value longer. All smartphones depreciate after a year or two, but Apple products frequently end up with resale prices closer to their original retail value.

For instance, let’s compare the Samsung Galaxy S21 with the iPhone 12. Apple released the iPhone 12 Pro Max in November 2020, retailing for $1,199. In November 2022, you can get a used model for around $900 on eBay.

On the other hand, the S21 Ultra hit the market in January 2021, also retailing for $1,199. However, its resale value has already dropped to around $550 on eBay.

2. iPhones have Less Security Risks

iPhones are better than Android smartphones when it comes to cybersecurity. iPhones have tighter security than Android, thanks to the exclusive Apple App Store, closed ecosystem, and prompt updates. These make iOS devices challenging to infiltrate.

Also, an iPhone is extremely unlikely to be infected with a virus. Most iOS devices with compromised security systems were either jailbroken or rigged by unauthorized technicians.

That said, Google’s cybersecurity measures are nothing to scoff at. However, frequently customizing Android devices leaves them prone to several security threats.

3. iPhones Have Extremely User-Friendly Interface

Android features an open platform that accommodates full-on customization. You’ll have total control over your smartphone’s settings, and you can use the broad scope of apps on Google Play to execute them.

However, this level of customization also creates a steep learning curve. You’ll need some technical proficiency and customization experience to utilize Android’s platform, which not all smartphone users have.

On the contrary, iOS devices have a straightforward, user-friendly interface. They come with various pre-installed, out-of-the-box features, so you can start using them right from the get-go. You wouldn’t need much time to learn an iOS interface.

4. iPhones Have Superior Phone Protection Plans

AppleCare plan comes at a steep premium. Alternatives like Asurion, SquareTrade, and Samsung Care offer relatively cheaper phone protection plans.

However, none of them compare to Apple’s streamlined, hassle-free services. Instead of spending hours on the customer service line, you can simply visit your local Apple Store for repair quotes and estimates.

Also, claims are a breeze. Most of the time, you can consult an in-store Apple employee and walk out with a brand-new or newly repaired device in an hour or two.

5. Seamlessly Integrated Apple Ecosystem

The range of Apple products has grown notably in recent years. The company started out making computers and has since added music players, tablet computers and smart watches to their product selection. Today, Apple provides a wide range of products and services for various purposes.

The devices work seamlessly and effortlessly together. You don’t need to download or install separate applications to link them together, it’s enough when you sign in to the devices with the same Apple ID. Photos, emails, notes and calendars can be shared to all the devices. You also don’t have to pay twice for apps, movies or books – they can be found on all your devices.

The closed ecosystem also guarantees the user safety. The operating environment is secure when devices, users, manufacturers and app developers are all in the same ecosystem.

The situation is different for Android phones. Several different manufacturers produce phones and tablets based on the same operating system, so a safe ecosystem and using the devices together seamlessly cannot be guaranteed.

6. Easy to Spot Fakes

If you intend to buy a secondhand smartphone, learn to verify authenticity. Scammers have been selling counterfeit devices for decades now. Moreover, the Android knockoffs circulating in the market look almost identical to their original counterparts. You’ll need to watch out for super-minute details.

Fortunately, spotting a fake iPhone is significantly easier. iOS devices have an exclusive interface, so you can easily spot fakes since they likely wouldn’t have features like Siri, iCloud, or even the App Store.

Also, each device comes with a unique serial number. Go to Settings > General > About, then scroll down to the Serial Number section in the middle portion of the page.

Next, copy-paste it into Apple’s service and coverage page. You’d see the device’s valid purchase date, telephone technical support expiration, and warranty coverage if the serial number is legit.

7. Get the best apps first

The developers of the best and highest quality apps still favour Apple. Most apps use Apple’s App Store as their launch platform and release their apps there much earlier than they do in the Android phones’ Google Play store. This has been the case with some of the most popular apps of recent years, such as Super Mario Run and Snapchat.

Some of the high-profile apps and games are iOS-exclusive only. Clubhouse is a recent example of such a trend. Halide is another popular developer that is iOS-only. It’s much harder for app developers to create games and apps for Android phones, as there is a wide range of them and many unique features of the phones should be taken into account in the development. The App Store’s revenue model also serves the developers of high-quality apps better, which will guarantee safe and good apps for iPhone users in the future as well.

8. Every eligible iPhone gets software updates at the same time

Software updates have always been an area iPhones are better than android smartphones as a whole. Unless you own one of Google’s Pixel phones, you never really know when you’re going to receive a security update or major feature release, because that timing is up to each individual phone brand. Some are more consistent than others.

On the other hand, when Apple releases a software update for the iPhone, every single user has immediate access to that update as long as their iPhone is still supported. Currently, iOS 16 supports iPhones all the way back to the iPhone 8, which was released in 2017. And when iOS 16.2 is made available in the coming weeks, every eligible iPhone, from the iPhone 14 to the iPhone 8 will get the update at the same exact time.

You just don’t get that kind of consistency and assurance on the totality of Android phones.

9. Apple Pay Is Simpler to Use

Apple Pay is Apple’s payment service, which enables making credit and debit card payments using your phone. Paying works the same way as contactless payment with a plastic card, i.e., by placing the phone by the card reader. The card is protected with Face ID, Touch ID or the phone’s passcode, which let you keep your payment information safe.

Apple Pay can also be used to make purchases in apps: reserving a hotel room, shopping for clothes or ordering a pizza couldn’t be easier.

Options like Google Pay and PayPal also offer noteworthy features. However, their interfaces are a bit more challenging, plus they don’t come pre-installed on Android devices.

Also, Apple Pay is widely used, at least in the United States. The Apple Pay homepage states that more than 85% of retail shops, grocery stores, taxis, and vending machines in the US accept Apple Pay. Google Pay is not yet available in many countries, so users in need of a simple and easy mobile payment method should opt for the Apple iPhone.

10. Wireless headphones and earbuds are a breeze to set up and use

Pairing the wireless AirPods earbuds to your iPhone is a seamless experience that makes Apple’s system leagues ahead of Google’s. One of the most impressive benefits is being able to use the same AirPods with your Mac or Apple Watch without having to pair them again.

Samsung’s Galaxy Buds try to recreate that magical experience, and they come close, but lack the range and ease of use across multiple devices. Google’s Pixel Buds 2 are Android users’ best hope for recreating that magic — and they do a good job, but so far, nothing has truly matched the AirPods experience.

See also: 5 Best AirPods Pro 2 tips and tricks to try first.

11. iPhones Have No Bloatware

Bloatware, crapware. Whatever you want to call it, it doesn’t exist on an iPhone. In this regard, iPhones are better than android phones because Apple doesn’t allow carriers to install any apps before you get the phone, unlike Android devices that are loaded with carrier-specific apps from the moment you first turn them on.

Yes, you can delete or hide those apps in just a few minutes on your Android phone, but it’s not something users should have to deal with. Who really needs the AT&T locker app? Or random games pushed on you because the developer struck a deal with your carrier? I know I don’t. Not to mention, researchers have found that preinstalled apps are prone to bugs and security issues. In my opinion, the owner of a phone should have control over what is and isn’t installed.

12. Video calls with iPhone are as simple as a phone call

FaceTime is one feature that makes iPhone better than Android. FaceTime works so well because it’s encrypted and ready to use the moment you set up your new iPhone.

Like iMessage, FaceTime is for many people synonymous with video calls. It’s the only app they want to use and they don’t have to log into a third-party app or search for contacts to set it up and start a call. It’s just automatically linked to your contacts, camera and dialer to do all the work. It’s this ease that makes FaceTime one of the reasons that family groups stay rooted to the iPhone.

13. Seamless backup and restore

I’ve set up hundreds of Android phones, and the process has never been as painless as it is when I set up a new iPhone. With the iPhone, I log into my iCloud account, tap on Restore and then wait about 20 minutes. That’s not the case with an Android phone.

Google’s backup and restore service does a decent job, but more often than not there are apps I need to reinstall or log into, setting to adjust, and disappointment to manage when the phones frequently fail to restore my home screen layout exactly how I had it. The Restore feature is supposed to save time, but I still spend a chunk of it fine-tuning the Android devices I set up this way.

Meanwhile, my iPhone backs up to iCloud every night (as long as it’s connected to Wi-Fi and charging) and completely restores installed apps, accounts, home screen and settings without fail.

14. iMessage gives you that blue bubble feeling

Perhaps the biggest feature that Android users don’t have, and likely never will, is Apple’s proprietary messaging platform iMessage. It seamlessly syncs across all of your Apple devices, is fully encrypted and has a ton of playful features like Memoji.

When you send a message to another iPhone and you see the chat bubble turn blue, you know that the person on the other end of the conversation is using an iPhone, too. That makes you part of a club, sure, but it also includes certain benefits, like chatting over Wi-Fi and being able to share high-res videos and photos with the person on the other end of the line.

iMessage also lets you request or send money via Apple Pay and pepper the message with extra colorful animations, for example, which makes for a more robust conversation than using standard SMS on the iPhone. You’ll know you’re in typical texting mode when the chat bubbles are green.

Google recently announced the global rollout of its own take on iMessage as part of its Messages app. It uses something called rich communication services that let you send higher quality photos and videos, and see read receipts and even typing indicators so you know when the other person is replying. While Google’s RCS brings huge improvements to chatting on an Android phone, it’s not as widely used as iMessage right now and doesn’t have Apple’s full set of features.

15. Better-looking widgets

Sorry, it’s true. Apple may be late to the game or copied Google here, but it did it right. There are a few different sizes of widgets that developers can create for their apps, which you can then place anywhere on your home screen. You can stack widgets on top of each other and let iOS decide which one to show you depending on your device usage, or you can scroll through them on your own.

Reasons why iPhones are better than android phones? Now you know!

These are the reasons why iPhones are better than android smartphones. iPhones are user-friendly, straightforward device that requires minimal tech knowledge to utilize. You’ll find Apple’s ecosystem convenient.

If you’re looking for more features that make the iPhone better than Android, look no further than this long list of features Apple added in iOS 16, and if you’re still not convinced, here’s a healthy list of hidden iPhone features you probably didn’t know about.

Tag: iPhone Tips
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5 common iPhone 14 problems and how to fix them

by GeeksModo Staff

Apple’s brand new iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max have been out for a few weeks now, and we’ve managed to go all this time without a single “gate” scandal. However, there are still some problems that early adopters have run into. Luckily, there are often simple solutions to even the most frustrating iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro problems, and in this post, we’ve compiled six of the most common iPhone 14 issues people are running into, along with potential solutions.

1. Battery drain Issue on the iPhone 14

Battery drain issue on the iPhone 14 is relatively common. If it’s a software issue, there’s a chance you can fix it. You can use Low Power Mode, limit your iPhone 14 Pro’s frame rate, disable always on display, lower the screen brightness, disable haptic feedback for keyboard, and stop background app refresh to improve your battery’s performance.

If you notice “Home & Lock Screen” on your battery usage is higher than you’d expect, it’s good to check those settings.

Auto-Lock at 30 seconds will help you preserve the most battery life. Especially with iPhone 14 Pro having an always-on display, 30 seconds can be worth it.

Navigate to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock.

Lowering your screen brightness will also help with battery life, but this will come down to personal preference. You can do that in Control Center (swipe down from the top right corner) or Settings > Display & Brightness.

With iPhone 14 Pro HDR brightness now going up to 1600 nits and outdoor peak brightness going to 2000 nits, this is something to keep an eye on to help keep battery life in check.

If you’re looking to eke out the most battery, turning off the always on display feature could help a touch.

Head to Settings > Display and brightness > Always On at the bottom.

To use Low Power Mode, head to Settings > Battery and tap the toggle for Low Power Mode.

If you choose not to use Low Power Mode, you can manually control Push and Fetch for your email/internet accounts.

Head to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data. One approach is to leave your primary account(s) as push to receive new mail asap, and turn less important accounts to fetch every hour or even set them to manual.

If you have one of the Pro models, you can limit your iPhone 14 Pro’s frame rate by opening Settings > Accessibility > Motion and tapping the Limit Frame Rate toggle. Doing this will cap the frame rate at 60 frames per second.

Low Power Mode turns off background app refresh across the board, but you can customize which apps use this feature for a more convenient experience as well as improved battery life. Head to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.

You can also opt to only use background app refresh on Wi-Fi in addition to Wi-Fi and Cellular or turn the feature off totally. However, most users will find leaving Wi-Fi and Cellular on while customizing which apps are used for background app refresh to be the best fit.

Turning off Background App Refresh prevents apps that you’re not actively using from updating (until you open them again).

Dialing in your location services settings is another way to extend battery life. (It can reduce cellular data use too). Head to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services to update the privileges for your apps.

Look out for any apps that ask to Always use your location and switch to While Using, Ask Next Time, or Never.

haptic feedback "might affect the battery life of your iPhone." No specifics are given as to how much battery life the keyboard feature does drain, but if you want to conserve battery, it’s best to keep this feature disabled.

Fortunately, it is not on by default. If you’ve enabled it in yourself, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Keyboard Feedback and toggle off Haptic to turn off haptic feedback for your keyboard.

2. iPhone 14 Touchscreen Issues

Unlike battery problems, iPhone 14 touchscreen issues are relatively rare. However, they can make the device virtually unusable. There’s a chance you can fix it without sending it in for repairs, as it’s usually caused by software or user errors.

First, ensure your iPhone 14 is running the latest version of iOS. Next, thoroughly clean your iPhone and disconnect all cables. Restart your iPhone 14 and check if the touchscreen starts working again.

If it doesn’t fix the touchscreen issue, you can try factory resetting your iPhone 14. And, if all else fails, you’ll have to send your iPhone to Apple for repairs. But if you have the hardware expertise, you can take advantage of Apple’s Self Service Repair program.

3. iPhone 14 Wi-Fi Issues

One of the most common iPhone 14 issues has to do with Wi-Fi connections. Sometimes, even while connected to a Wi-Fi network with access to the internet, your iPhone might not work properly.

There are three things you can try to fix this problem:

  • Toggle the Wi-Fi connection off and on.
  • Forget the Wi-Fi network and reconnect.
  • Turn off the Wi-Fi Assist feature on your iPhone.

To toggle your Wi-Fi connection off and on, head to Settings > Wi-Fi. Then, tap the toggle at the top right of the screen. After 30 seconds, tap it again to enable it.

To forget and reconnect to a Wi-Fi network, open Settings > Wi-Fi. Then, tap and hold the corresponding network. Next, tap Forget This Network and then try to reconnect from the Wi-Fi settings menu.

To turn off Wi-Fi Assist, open Settings > Cellular and toggle off Wi-Fi Assist at the bottom of the menu.

4. Activation Error on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro

One of the more frustrating iPhone 14 bugs involves activation problems. If you can’t activate your iPhone 14, you won’t be able to log in to use the phone at all.

This can happen in two ways. You’ll either get an activation error, a message stating that the phone can’t detect your SIM card, or that it’s invalid.

Fortunately, you can follow a few steps to solve the iPhone 14 activation bug. However, they’re pretty limited. Here’s one method you can try:

  • Restart your iPhone 14.
  • Connect to a Wi-Fi network.
  • Try activating your iPhone 14 again.

You can try an alternate method if these steps don’t solve the activation issue. For these steps, you’ll need the latest version of macOS or iTunes. Here are the steps you can try:

  1. Update iTunes on your Windows PC. If you use a Mac, update macOS to the latest version.
  2. Ensure your computer has an internet connection.
  3. Use your iPhone 14’s charging cable to connect it to your computer.
  4. Your computer should automatically detect your iPhone 14.
  5. If Set Up as New or Restore from Backup notifications show up on your computer, your iPhone 14 is activated. If SIM card invalid or No SIM Detected notifications appear, you’ll need to reach out to your phone carrier.

But if you see the activation information was invalid message, you’ll have to enter recovery mode to restore your iPhone 14.

You’ll likely have to reach out to Apple or your phone carrier at some point during the activation process if you’re still running into errors after following these steps.

5. iPhone 14 Face ID Issues

Face ID on iPhone 14 can stop working randomly, potentially barring you from using certain apps and built-in features. Fortunately, you can try a few methods to fix Face ID.

First, consider cleaning the front-facing camera. It’s surprising how often Face ID won’t work just because there’s a smudge or two on the camera lens.

You can also check the Face ID settings. To do this, head to Settings > Face ID & Passcode. Then, ensure all the items listed in this menu are toggled on. This includes:

  • iPhone Unlock
  • iTunes & App Store
  • Wallet & Apple Pay
  • Password AutoFill

You can also toggle on Face ID for specific apps from the Settings menu. Simply scroll down, find the app you want to use Face ID for, and use the toggle to enable it.

Another option is to remove and reset Face ID. To do this, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode. Then, tap Reset Face ID.

Finally, you can add an alternative appearance. First, open Settings > Face ID & Passcode. Then, tap Set Up an Alternative Appearance.

If these tips aren’t working, you can check out our list of solutions for Face ID not working on iPhone 14 Pro.

6. iPhone 14 Pro Max Overheating Issues

If your iPhone 14 is overheating, it might be from overuse. While in most cases, you’ll likely need to send your iPhone 14 in for repairs if it’s overheating, there are a few tweaks you can try beforehand. These are also useful for other battery issues, but they can sometimes help to solve overheating.

First, consider tweaking a few of your iPhone 14’s battery settings. This includes lowering the brightness, disabling Background App Refresh, and turning off Location Services. These changes reduce the overall processing power required by your iPhone, reducing the load on your battery.

If your iPhone 14 is still overheating after these changes, try resetting all settings and restarting your phone. And if that doesn’t help either, you’ll likely have to send your iPhone 14 in for repair.

Fixed the most common iPhone 14 Problems

While every new generation of iPhones comes with impressive hardware and software, none of them are immune to bugs and problems. iPhone 14 issues are relatively common. Luckily, there are a few ways you can solve these issues without sending your phone in for repair.

More often than not, a restart or factory reset can solve most of the bugs or problems. If our list of common iPhone 14 issues and solutions didn’t help, you could try some of the tips in our other guides.

Tags: iPhone 14, iPhone Troubleshooting
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25 iPhone Hacks – You Had NO IDEA Existed

by GeeksModo Staff

2022 was a big year for Apple Fan. The year brought us new phones, like the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro, and new software updates, like iOS 16. Whether you bought something new, updated your iPhone with new software, or just kept on trucking with the same old tech, we were here to help you use it all. These are our favorite iPhone hacks and tips of 2022.
If you dive into the Settings app, you can find some cool iPhone hacks you might not have even known existed. Want to declutter your home screen? Use your battery a little less throughout the day? You can do all that — and more. Some of these iPhone hacks are relatively straightforward, while others are hidden deep within your device.

In this guide, we’ve got 25 iPhone hacks that you’ll definitely want to try today.

1. Stop apps from tracking your exact location

Apps like Doordash, Postmates, Google Maps and Waze all require your exact location to deliver food to the right location or direct you to where you want to go. But not all apps need to know precisely where you are at every moment.

Thanks to this iPhone hack, you can easily prevent any app from tracking your exact location. In the Settings app, choose an application (like Instagram, for example), tap Location and then toggle off Precise Location. Any app with Precise Location off will only know your approximate location, within a few miles.

Don’t toggle this feature off for apps that require exact location, like food delivery and navigation services.

2. Turn the back of your iPhone into a button

With this cool iPhone hack, the back of your device can be used as a secret button to activate certain actions, like take a screenshot or enable low power mode, and run shortcuts that can automatically play music when you arrive at the gym or turn on your smart lights when you get home. However, the option is hidden deep in your settings — here’s how to find it.

In the Settings app, go to Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap and choose one of the two tapping options (double or triple tap). You should see a list of actions you can run by tapping the back of your iPhone, like opening your camera, turning on the flashlight, scrolling up and down and more. Tap on on action or shortcut to set it for double or triple tap.

3. Bring back full-screen incoming call alerts

If your iPhone is unlocked and you receive a phone call, a banner-style notification will appear at the top of your screen, with a photo and name of the person calling, and the options to pick up or deny the call. But this banner wasn’t always there.

Before iOS 14, the incoming call screen would take over your entire display when your iPhone was unlocked and in use. It was disruptive, sure, but it also got the job done.

When the banner appeared, it was a welcome change for many, because it’s more discreet and allows you to still use your phone while receiving a call. However, if for any reason you’re not a big fan of the banner and want to revert to the more attention-grabbing full-screen alert, you will appreciate this hidden iPhone hack. Go to Settings > Phone > Incoming Calls and tap Full Screen.

4. Turn off 5G coverage you don’t want or have

Apple touts a Smart Data feature that’s specific to its 5G phones (iPhone 12 and iPhone 13) that will automatically switch between 4G LTE and 5G networks based on how you’re using your device.

However, you may find that your iPhone’s battery drains faster than it did before. If you don’t want to sacrifice battery life for faster 5G speeds, shut it down with this neat iPhone hack. You can always turn 5G back on when you want it, or when service in your area improves.

To turn off 5G on your iPhone 12 or iPhone 13, forcing it to always use 4G LTE even if you have 5G coverage, open the Settings app, then go to Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data and tap LTE.

Alternatively, if you want your iPhone to exclusively use a 5G connection when available, you can select 5G On.

5. Fine-tune how much data is used by a 5G connection

If you’re happy with your 5G performance, here’s a related iPhone hack you should check out. Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Mode, where you’ll find three different options: Allow more data on 5G, Standard and Low Data Mode.

Even though there are brief descriptions below the three different settings, they don’t paint a complete picture for the first option. According to an Apple support document, allowing more data on 5G will give you high-quality video and FaceTime calls. It also enables your phone to download software updates and stream high-definition Apple TV and Apple Music content, and it allows third-party developers to also improve their respective apps.

The default setting on this page will depend on your carrier and your data plan, so it’s a good idea to check your iPhone and make sure it’s correctly set to your preference.

6. Stop apps from cluttering up your home screen

The App Library is a place where you can quickly find and access all of your applications. And while apps are housed here, all newly downloaded apps also appear on your home screen. This may not be a problem if you download apps sparingly, but if you’re installing new apps on a consistent basis, they can quickly clutter up your home screen.

Thanks to this iPhone hack you can stop downloaded apps from appearing on your home screen. Go to Settings > Home Screen and select App Library Only. If you want to find the app, you’ll have to swipe left on your home screen until you reach the App Library.

7. Stop unexpected (and embarrassing) photo popups on your iPhone screen

Apple’s artificial intelligence helps surface photos and videos in various places across your iPhone, as a reminder of family vacations, couple photos and holidays — but you may not always want your personal pictures to pop up unexpectedly, especially if they’re private, embarrassing or inappropriate.

With this iPhone hack, you can now prevent Featured Photos, as well as curated collections known as Memories, from appearing in photo widgets on your home screen and the Search and For You sections in Photos.

To block these tailored photos, make sure you are running iOS 16 or higher. Now, launch the Settings app, go into Photos and toggle off Show Featured Content. All featured content will no longer appear across your device — instead, it’ll only be available in your photo library and albums.

8. Put the address bar in Safari back on top

The address in Safari migrated to the bottom of the screen with the introduction of iOS 15 — a welcome addition for those with smaller hands who had difficulty reaching it with one hand at the top. While this move might feel more natural, since it’s closer to the keyboard and where you typically place your thumbs, it can be off-putting since many people are used to seeing the URL bar near the top of the screen.

Thanks to this hidden iPhone hack, you can easily put the address bar back at the top of the screen. Go to Settings, tap Safari and choose the Single Tab option under the Tabs subheading.

9. Add features that can be used when your iPhone is locked

There are times when you might want to have certain info handy even when your phone is locked. That’s why Apple allows you to enable some features without having to unlock your device, such as the notification center, Control Center, the ability to reply to messages and the Wallet app.

To customize the features you’d like to access on the lock screen, simply use this iPhone hack. Launch the Settings menu, tap Face ID & Passcode and enter your passcode when prompted. Scroll down until you see the Allow Access When Locked section, and toggle the sliders based on your preferences.

10. Make your favorite email app or web browser your default

It was a long time coming, but 2020’s iOS 14 update finally brought the ability to choose your own default apps — at least for email and web browsing. That means that when you tap a link or an email send button, your iPhone will automatically launch the web browser or email provider of your choosing rather than Safari or Mail.

To set up this iPhone hack, open the Settings menu and select the app you’d like to set as a default (such as Google Chrome or Outlook). You should then see a button that says Default Mail App or Default Browser App. Tap that option and select the app of your choosing instead of Safari or Mail.

11. Get full notifications on your lock screen

The first time you experience Apple’s Face ID tech, you’ll notice that you can’t see the content of new alerts and notifications on the lock screen. For example, instead of seeing who sent you a text message and what it says, you’ll only see a generic Messages alert.

By default, all iPhones with Apple’s Face ID tech will hide the content of an alert until you pick up your phone and unlock it. It’s a privacy feature that I rather enjoy, but I also understand how it could be annoying (I’ve heard a few complaints from readers and family members alike).

Thanks to this cool iPhone hack, you can change how notifications appear on your lock screen by going to Settings > Notifications > Show Previews and selecting Always. Conversely, you can select Never if you want to keep the content of your notifications always hidden from the lock screen.

12. Turn off (or on) HDR video for sharing videos

Phones in the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 lineups can record high dynamic range (HDR) video with Dolby Vision. That means your videos will be brighter with more accurate colors and improved contrast. Sounds awesome, right? It is. But there’s a problem — not every app or service will work with HDR video.

Developers will need to update their apps in order to accept HDR video, but even then, the person viewing the video will need a capable device to see the difference in quality. For Apple devices, those include the iPhone 8 or newer, the 2020 iPad Air, the second-generation iPad Pro and some Macs.

So, what can you do to share videos universally? Well, you have a few options:

You can turn off HDR video by going to Settings > Camera > Record video and turning the switch next to HDR Video to the Off position. Going forward, all videos will be captured in standard dynamic range, and you shouldn’t have any issues sharing or editing it.
Leave HDR Video turned on, but when you want to share the video, with Facebook for example, use the Photos app instead of going into the Facebook app and uploading it. When you use the Photos app, your iPhone will automatically convert the video to SDR and upload it. When you send the video to another iPhone user, Apple will detect if their iPhone, iPad or Mac is compatible with HDR Dolby Vision. If it’s not, Apple will convert the video automatically.
If you leave HDR Video on and need to edit your video, you can use Apple’s iMovie app or the Photos app that’s built into your iPhone. You can even use iMovie to export the video as SDR if needed.

13. Customize your home screen with fancy wallpaper

Another iPhone hack related to home screen you should implement involves your wallpaper or background. Apple has added some new wallpapers of its own, with a pretty cool twist.

Open the Settings app on your iPhone and select Wallpaper from the list. Make sure the switch labeled ”Dark Appearance Dims Wallpaper,” which you’ll see below the two thumbnail previews of your wallpaper, is turned on. Now, tap Choose a new wallpaper and select either Stills or Live. See the circle near the bottom of each wallpaper? It’s half black, half white.

That circle means that the wallpaper has both light and dark mode versions and will change automatically based on the system status of your phone.

You can also set live wallpapers as your background if you’re not sold on dark and light mode.

14. Turn on dark mode to save your battery

Speaking of dark mode, if you don’t want to have to repeatedly adjust your screen’s brightness, you can use your phone’s dedicated dark mode. Dark mode converts all of the white backgrounds in apps to, more often than not, a black background. In turn, your phone is able to save battery power thanks to the darker colors.

Turn on this cool iPhone hack by going to Settings > Display & Brightness and selecting the Dark option at the top of the screen.

Apple’s apps will automatically switch to a dark color scheme, and most third-party apps have also adopted the feature.

15. Manage your notifications with Focus Mode

We get a lot of notifications every day, but not all of them are relevant all the time. With iOS 15, Apple introduced a feature called Focus Mode. Think of it as a custom Do Not Disturb feature that’s tailored to specific circumstances.

Focus Mode blocks less relevant alerts, while allowing notifications from important people and apps to come through so that you don’t miss anything. You can set up different types of Focus Modes for specific circumstances.

Apple currently offers options for Do Not Disturb, personal, sleep, work, driving, fitness, gaming, mindfulness and reading, but you can also create your own custom mode. You can schedule Focus Modes so that they turn on automatically when needed, and display your status in apps so that others know you have notifications silenced.

To set up this neat iPhone hack, open the Settings menu, tap Focus and choose one of the available options to set up your notification preferences. Tap the plus ( ) symbol in the top right corner to add a new Focus.

16. Make your screen text bigger or smaller

With a couple of taps on your iPhone’s screen, you can adjust the font size to make it easier to read. Open Settings and go to Display & Brightness > Text Size where you can use the slider until you’re happy with the font size.

For a little added oomph, you can turn on Bold Text (it’s just below the Text Size button).

17. Add an alternate appearance to Face ID

Apple’s facial recognition feature — Face ID — constantly learns different aspects of your face with each scan. If you’re struggling to get Face ID to consistently recognize you, try this hidden iPhone hack.

Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > enter your PIN > Set Up An Alternate Appearance and go through the process of enrolling your face again.

18. Disable auto brightness for longer battery charge

Your iPhone’s screen brightness level can have a big impact on battery life. By default, iOS will automatically adjust the display’s brightness based on how much light its ambient sensor detects. But if you want to take complete control, you can disable auto-brightness using this iPhone hack, meaning the brightness level will stay where you set it until you adjust it again.

Open Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and at the bottom of the page, you’ll find a switch to turn off Auto-Brightness.

Now, whenever you want to adjust your screen, you can do so by opening Control Center with a swipe up from the bottom of the screen on a device with a home button, or a swipe down from the top-right corner on newer iPhones.

19. Triage your privacy settings

The first time you set up an iPhone with all of your apps, you’re bombarded with prompts asking for permissions to access personal information ranging from tracking your location to your Apple Health information or your camera roll.

It’s far too easy to get in the habit of approving everything just so you can use the app, but take a few minutes and go through your privacy settings to tailor what each app can and can’t see. We walk you through the whole privacy process in two quick steps.

20. Go back to using old iPhone lock screen notifications

Apple’s latest redesign brings widgets, customizable fonts and colors, a wallpaper gallery and stylized date and time to the lock screen, as well as one overlooked change to notifications. Instead of appearing at the top of your lock screen, notifications now appear at the bottom, which you can then tap on to appear full screen.

However, not everyone may be happy with this change. If you want to go back to the way notifications appeared on iOS 15, simply use this iPhone hack. Launch the Settings application and go to Notifications > Display As. You’ll then see three options:

  • Count: Notifications appear as a numbered count at the bottom of the screen.
  • Stack: Notifications appear in a stack at the bottom of the screen.
  • List: Notifications appear fully across your screen.

To go back to the old notification style, choose the List option.

21. Use Control Center to access apps with a swipe or tap

The iPhone’s Control Center is a convenient spot to quickly change songs, turn on airplane mode, connect to Wi-Fi or start a timer, but there’s so much more to it than that. You can quickly turn your flashlight on, check on a timer or start recording your screen with a quick swipe and tap.

Customize which apps and features are available in Control Center by opening Settings > Control Center. Remove an option with a tap on the red minus button or add an option by selecting the green addition button. Drag features up or down using the three-line icon on the right side of the screen.

Personally, I like having quick access to the Wallet app and toggles for low-power mode and dark mode.

As a reminder, if you have an iPhone with a home button, like the iPhone SE, you can swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Center. If you have an iPhone with Face ID, you’ll need to swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen where the battery icon is.

22. Strip the new search button from your iPhone’s home screen

Your iPhone’s search feature lets you quickly find a text message, third-party app, file, note or location — pretty much anything on your device or on the web. As you know, to get the search bar, you just swipe down anywhere on the screen, and it appears.

With iOS 16, Apple adds another way to access Search from the home screen, via a small button right above your dock.

However, the new search button is easy to accidentally trigger, because it’s near where your thumb might go when you swipe between your various home pages.

But, like many new features on iOS 16, you can turn this setting off. Simply launch the Settings app, go to Home Screen and toggle off Show on Home Screen to remove the search button from your home screen.

The Search bubble should disappear, replaced by a few small dots representing your various home screens.

23. Organize alerts with Notification Summary

Apple wants to help you manage your notifications in iOS 15, starting with the Notification Summary feature. Rather than letting notifications pile up on your home screen, you can schedule alerts that aren’t urgent to arrive in a bundle at a specific time of day.

Important notifications like calls, direct messages and other time-sensitive alerts (like the status of your Uber or Lyft ride, for example) will still appear immediately.

To try this iPhone hack, open Settings, press Notifications and tap Scheduled Summary.

24. Keep from accidentally ending your own phone calls

The side/power button on the side of your iPhone allows you to quickly sleep and wake up your device, but if you accidentally hit it during a phone call, you’ll prematurely end your call. If that’s something you’ve encountered in the past, this iPhone hack will let you prevent that from happening.

Make sure you are running iOS 16. Then go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch and toggle off Lock to End Call to prevent the side button from ending your calls. If you do hit the side button accidentally, your screen will go to sleep, but you’ll stay on your phone call, uninterrupted.

25. Change Siri’s voice

If you’ve recently set up a new iPhone, you may have noticed that Siri no longer defaults to a female voice. Instead, you’ll be asked which Siri voice you want to use, including several more recent options. Once you’ve made your selection, Apple will change Siri’s voice across all of the devices linked to your Apple ID.

You can check out the voice options by going to Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Voice.

Tag: iPhone Tips
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iPhone 14 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max Buyer’s Guide

by Kevin Hollington

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max are the newest iPhones on the block. These are the most notable differences to help you make the right buying decision.

Earlier this year, Apple unveiled the iPhone 14 Pro and ‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ Max as the successors to the popular iPhone 13 Pro and ‌iPhone 13 Pro‌ Max, featuring an always-on display with the Dynamic Island, the A16 Bionic chip, significantly improved cameras, longer battery life, and more. As Apple’s premium flagship offerings, the ‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ Max are the most fully-featured iPhones available.

The ‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ starts at $999 and the ‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ Max starts at $1,099. Although the two phones share the vast majority of features, there are a small number of differences between the devices besides just screen size. Our guide highlights the differences between the ‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ Max, and helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two iPhone models is best for you.

Comparing the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max

The ‌‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ and ‌‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ Max share virtually all of the same key features. Both phones have the same OLED Super Retina XDR always-on display with ProMotion and the ‌Dynamic Island‌, the A16 Bionic chip, 5G connectivity, a “Pro” camera setup, and are available in the same colors. More interesting is where the two devices differ:

Differences

iPhone 14 Pro

  • 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display with 2532-by-1170-pixel resolution
  • 23-hour battery life (during video playback)
  • 5.81-inch (147.5mm) height
  • 2.81-inch (71.5mm) width
  • 7.27-ounce (206 grams) weight
  • $999, $1,099, $1,299, or $1,499 for 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage

iPhone 14 Pro Max

  • 6.7-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display with 2778-by-1284-pixel resolution
  • 29-hour battery life (during video playback)
  • 6.33-inch (160.7mm) height
  • 3.05-inch (77.6mm) width
  • 8.47-ounce (240 grams) weight
  • $1,099, $1,199, $1,399, or $1,599 for 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage

Unlike some previous ‌iPhone‌ models offered in two sizes like the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, there are no additional camera improvements to be gained with the larger model this year, meaning that there is even less difference between the two flagship devices than usual.

Final Thoughts

The most important decision point between the ‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ Max comes down to screen size, but comfort, pocketability, weight, and battery life are also important considerations. The added $100 in price for the ‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ Max seems fair for the added display area and battery life, but it is important to weigh up these additional factors in your personal use case.

The ‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ Max represents the most you can get out of an ‌iPhone‌ with the best possible battery life, but that does not necessarily translate into a worthwhile purchase for all users. A larger, heavier 6.7-inch ‌iPhone‌ is not for everyone. Some may find the ‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ Max’s size excessive or uncomfortably large to hold, while others will love the larger display for consuming media. Screen size is ultimately a matter of personal preference, and since the ‌‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ and ‌‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ Max share almost all features except for battery capacity, it comes down to individual taste.

Tags: iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone Products
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How to identify a fake iPhone charger in 2024

by Moses Johnson

If you’ve ever been duped into buying a fake iPhone charger, you know how frustrating it can be. Luckily, there are a few ways to tell if a charger is the real deal or not. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to identify a fake iPhone charger.

Introduction

If you’ve ever seen a charger that looks strikingly similar to the official Apple chargers but is much cheaper, you may be thinking: is this thing legit or not? Well, before you plug it into your iPhone, there are a few things you can do to verify its authenticity. In this guide we will show you how to identify a counterfeit or fake iPhone charger. We will show you the things you should look for that will help you in identifying if your iPhone charger is fake or real.

How to spot a fake iPhone charger

Check the Box

Apple is meticulous about its packaging, so if you still have the box your charger came in, check here first. The box may look legitimate at first glance, but there are a few areas to check.

  • Look for MFI (Made for iPhone/iPad/iPad) logo on the box packaging. All authentic Apple accessory cables have ‘Designed by Apple in California’ printed on them.
  • Check the box for typos. Fake products are usually covered with English spelling and grammar errors.

Check the Price Tag

Depending on the strength of the power adapter, you’re likely going to need to pay anywhere from $29 to $79 for a genuine product. From time to time, you may find legitimate discounted products for less than that, but always be on high alert when you see large price discrepancies.

If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. However, this isn’t a guarantee, as some sellers may also raise the prices of their counterfeit chargers to make it seem like they’re the real deal. That’s why it’s crucial to use price as an alert trigger and then progress to a more detailed product analysis.

Inspect the Lightning to USB cable and connector

It is also possible to check whether the Lightniing-connected end is genuine.

  • On Apple’s genuine Lightning cables the Lightning connector is made up of a single piece. On a fake cable you might find that the Lightning connect is made up of more than one pieces.
  • Apple-certified Lightning to USB cables have a grey/metallic faceplate insert, White or Black faceplate inserts mean fake.
  • An original Apple charger has a consistent length of 7.7mm x 12mm. Varying width, length, or thickness is sign of counterfeit Lightning cable.
  • The contact points on genuine cables are rounded with smooth contacts and are always gold-plated. Rough or inconsistent finish is an indication of a fake apple charger.
  • An Apple Lightning to USB cable has “Designed by Apple in California” and either “Assembled in China,” “Assembled in Vietnam,” or “Indústria Brasileira” on the cable about seven inches from the USB connector. You’ll see a 12-digit serial number at the end of this text.

Inspect the USB connector end

  • The interlocks on USB shell of a genuine Apple charger are trapezoidal. Moreover, the interlocks are equally spaced from edge. On the other hand, the USB shell interlocks of fake Apple chargers have right angles. In addition, the interlocks are inconsistently spaced.
  • The USB contacts of genuine Apple chargers are gold-plated. If the USB contacts are silver-plated, for example, you may be dealing with a counterfeit.
  • The surface of the USB shell is smooth and consistent. In contrast, USB surface of a fake iPhone charging cable is rough or grainy.
  • The surface of the insulator for the USB connection is uniform and flat. Meanwhile, insulator for a fake iPhone charger has notches or indents.

Check the Text on the Charging Adapter

Apple genuine chargers have ‘Designed by Apple and Assembled in China’ printed on them. If the charging adapter doesn’t have that information, then it’s fake.

Inspect the charger for spelling mistakes. If you see any typos in spellings on the charging adaptor, then it’s fake.

Verify the Apple Logo on the Adapter

Genuine Apple power adapters will have the Apple logo engraved on the product. It’s not a sticker or a printing—it’s a tangible engraving. Fakes will mimic this branding, too, but sometimes they’ll get details wrong with the logo sizing and minutiae.

Common fake iPhone chargers on the market

When shopping for an iPhone charger, be sure to look for the correct type. Many fake iPhone chargers are sold with branding that is similar, but not identical to authentic chargers. Additionally, many counterfeit iPhone chargers do not have proper insulation or arcing protection and may overheat or even catch fire.

How to avoid buying a fake iPhone charger

When shopping for an iPhone charger, it is important to be aware of the signs that a charger may be fake. Here are a few tips to help you avoid purchasing a fake iPhone charger:

  • First and foremost, always purchase your iPhone charger from an authorized Apple retailer. If you are unsure of where to find an authorized Apple retailer, search for a store locator online.
  • Always check the authenticity of the charger by checking the Apple logo. If the logo is not genuine, the charger is likely fake.
  • Always check the voltage rating of the charger. A fake iPhone charger may have a lower voltage rating than an authentic charger, which could damage your iPhone.
  • Always check the plug type of the charger. A fake iPhone charger may have a different plug type than an authentic charger, which could prevent your iPhone from charging.
  • Always check the quality of the materials used. A fake iPhone charger may be made of cheap plastic or metal, which may not hold up to regular use.
  • Always look for markings that do not match those on a genuine iPhone charger. A fake iPhone charger may have markings that are incorrect or copied from the genuine iPhone charger.
  • Test the charger before you buy it. Plug in your iPhone and see if it works. If it doesn’t, it’s likely a fake iPhone charger.

What to do if you’ve already bought a fake iPhone charger

If you’ve determined your charger isn’t a legitimate Apple product, what do you do now? This mostly depends on where you bought the counterfeit charger from.

Was your purchase from an Amazon seller? In many cases, you can return your product for a full refund as long as it is undamaged, and you’re not outside the return window. Other retailers like eBay offer some buyer protection, but it varies on many factors.

If you can’t get a refund, you’re probably out of luck. That said, if you’re reading this before buying a suspicious charger, hopefully you know enough to make sure you’re getting what you pay for.

Conclusion

If you’re uncertain whether an iPhone charger is genuine, there are a few things to look for. Firstly, the adapter should have a Apple Logo or symbol on it – if it doesn’t, it’s likely fake. Secondly, the connector pins should be gold-plated rather than copper – if they’re not, the charger may be counterfeit. Finally, make sure that the size and shape of the outlet matches that of an authentic iPhone charger – if not, it’s most likely a knockoff.

If you’re unsure about whether or not your iPhone charger is fake, leave a comment below and we’ll help you out. Remember, it’s important to be careful when purchasing chargers online – only buy from trusted sources to avoid being scammed.

Tag: iPhone Products
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Sustainable iPhone Cases To Match Your Personality

by Dave Johnson

Do you have an iPhone? Do you wish your case was more durable, stylish, and eco-friendly? We feel your pain. Being eco-friendly and sustainable is a lifestyle we all should aim for (personality-wise): cutting down our carbon footprint, saving money, and being kind to mother nature.

Thankfully there are many great options to help you switch from plastic to sustainable materials that are less harmful to the environment.

What Makes an iPhone Case Sustainable Or Eco-Friendly?

The term “sustainable” refers to products made with materials that can be reused or recycled, so they don’t end up in landfills. These materials are often from renewable resources like wood, bamboo, or cotton.

Eco-friendly phone cases are made with materials that have less of an impact on the environment than other materials used in their construction. For example, they may be biodegradable or recyclable. They may also contain no PVC plastics (which are difficult to recycle) or only use recycled polymers in their construction.

iPhone Cases For People With Personality [Top 8]

It’s important to choose eco-friendly accessories and products for our daily lives as they’re better for our health and our planet because they don’t contain toxic chemicals like BPA or phthalates. They’re also usually more durable and last longer than their non-green counterparts.

Based on your personality type, here are some of the most crucial aspects you should look for when in the market to buy a sustainable iPhone case.

1. Environmentalists

The best way to ensure your case is sustainable is to choose one made of bioplastics, which are made from plants such as sugar cane or corn starch. These materials are renewable, biodegradable, and compostable. It also doesn’t hurt that they’re more affordable than other options!

To make sure your new case doesn’t contain harmful chemicals, look for one with a low VOC (volatile organic compound) rating — typically below 50 ppm (parts per million). It means that the product does not emit harmful chemicals into the air or water supply during the production or disposal phases of its lifecycle.

2. Nature Lovers

If you love nature and want to protect it, too, you should look for an eco-friendly case manufactured using recycled plastic bottles or bamboo leaves! These materials are biodegradable and do not release harmful chemicals into the ground, air, or water supply.

Nature lovers should buy iPhone cases in a color that matches their favorite flower or animal. It will be a constant reminder of why they love nature so much.

3. Minimalist

If you like to keep things simple, you will want a case that does not add too much bulk to your phone. Many people love thin cases because they look more stylish and sleek than bulky ones.

4. Clumsy People

Do you tend to drop your phone a lot? Then you’ll need to choose a case that can withstand the shock of impact.

You need something that’s going to be able to protect your phone from getting damaged or cracked when it’s dropped and durable enough so it doesn’t break easily. Look for an iPhone case with a lot of protection around the edges of the screen because those are usually the parts that get damaged first when dropped.

5. Art Lover

If you are an Art Lover, you should look for a case that matches your interests, whether painting, drawing, or photography.

If you like abstract art or watercolors, go for a case with some bright colors. You can also get instances with landscape paintings or portraits of famous artists like Van Gogh or Monet.

Doodlers who love drawing want something more colorful than black and white. They might want something with bold colors and fun patterns or designs on them so they can show off their sense of humor with their phone case design!

6. Germaphobes

Germaphobes should look for cases made from natural materials like wool felt or bamboo, which are sustainable, antibacterial, and anti-fungal. The antibacterial feature helps prevent germs from spreading while you’re on the go, while the anti-fungal properties avoid mold and mildew from forming on your phone.

Look for a case made with food-grade silicone that can be washed off with soap and water. The case should also have an anti-dust plug at the bottom to keep dirt out while charging and air vents on the back that allow heat to escape so your phone won’t overheat while charging, thus preventing germs from culture.

7. Adventurer

If you’re an adventurer at heart, you probably have a lot of photos from your travels on your phone. You might have a picture of yourself surfing in Hawaii or hiking through the mountains in Nepal. If so, you should get an iPhone case with similar designs.

Look for waterproof cases that can survive water up to 3 feet deep for 30 minutes or more. The iPhone case should also be designed with shock-absorbing materials that help protect your phone from falls of up to 6 feet. If you’re worried about dust getting in your case, choose one that comes with an anti-microbial seal. It will prevent germs from growing inside your case and later causing odor problems or allergies.

8. Globetrotter

Globetrotters should be looking for a case that will last, one that is environmentally friendly and offers a great look.

If you spend money on an item, you want it to last as long as possible. You do not want to replace your phone case every few months because they break or tear easily, mainly because of rough usage when traveling. You want something that can withstand damage and still look good after years of use.

Final thoughts

The moral of the story is that there’s a case out there for everyone if you’re willing to do a little searching. And while they may not be as cheap as non-sustainable options, they still tend to be less expensive than high-end models.

Tag: iPhone Products
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10 Amazing Advantages of Wireless Charger for iPhone

by GeeksModo Staff

There are plenty of convincing reasons to get a wireless charger for your iPhone. In this article, we look at the best advantages of wireless charger for iPhone.

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your iPhone experience, picking up a wireless charger could be a great option for you. Choosing wireless charging and finally ditching the cord on your iPhone is easier than ever. If you’ve picked up a new iPhone in the last couple of years, it more than likely already supports wireless charging. And unlike the early days of wireless charging, you don’t have to make a big sacrifice when it comes to charging speed.

Now, for those with iPhones compatible with wireless charging, we’ll discuss the benefits of wireless charging.

Advantages of wireless charger for iPhone

Here are ten advantages of getting a wireless charger for your iPhone:

1. Wireless Charging Has Gotten a Lot Faster

Although many Android phones had wireless charging for years already, Apple didn’t bring it to the iPhone until 2017 with the release of the iPhone 8. Even though wireless charging was a long-awaited feature for the iPhone, it didn’t catch on like a lot of people thought it would.

That’s because when compared to traditional wired charging, wireless charging was a lot slower. To make things worse, even though 7.5W fast-charging Qi wireless chargers were already on the market, at launch the iPhone 8 was limited to only 5W of power when using a wireless charger. It wasn’t until later that software updates finally let the iPhone 8 access a full 7.5W wireless charge.

These days, Apple’s entire iPhone lineup supports standard Qi wireless charging, and there are tons of wireless chargers to choose from. On top of that, with the iPhone 12 series Apple brought MagSafe from the MacBook to the iPhone.

Unlike the MagSafe MacBook chargers, MagSafe for iPhones is completely wireless. Better yet, MagSafe is the fastest way to charge your iPhone wirelessly. MagSafe can deliver up to 15W of charging speed directly to your iPhone. That’s double the power of a Qi charger.

2. It’s Perfect for Your Desk or Nightstand

One of the best places for a wireless charger is at your office or workspace. There are tons of wireless chargers specifically designed for your desk. Many of them even prop your iPhone up, so it’s easy to glance at incoming alerts and notifications. Better yet, because your iPhone isn’t tied down with a cable, you can quickly grab it when you need to get up to chat with clients or make a personal call.

Equipping your nightstand or bedside table with a wireless charger can add another layer of convenience to your life. It means the end of waking up to a dead phone because you forgot to plug it in before you dozed off.

Having a wireless charger on your desk or nightstand can help you make your workspace more organized, and it means the end of having to hunt down your iPhone’s charging cable in the dark.

As almost no cabling is required, cable clutters are not present. This in turn provide you more space and electrical hygiene.

3. It Also Works With Your iPhone’s Accessories

Even though the original AirPods debuted without wireless charging, a wireless charging case was brought out as an optional extra for the AirPods 2. Since then, every version of AirPods has shipped with standard wireless charging that’s MagSafe compatible. That means a wireless charger for your iPhone also works with your AirPods.

AirPods aren’t the only iPhone accessories that you can charge wirelessly. If you’ve got an Apple Watch Series 6 or newer, you’ll be thrilled to know it’s also got wireless charging built in.

4. Convenience

Another benefit of having wireless charging is that you will not have to deal with cords again. It leaves the need of messy cords and makes it much simpler by just letting you drop your iPhone at the charging station.

How many times do you charge your device in a day? Probably at least two times in the case of a smartphone, depending on its age. It’s no secret that smartphone batteries have a short life. But since that is a given at the moment, you can at least make the process of juicing up your device less frustrating. And that’s where you’ll appreciate the convenience of wireless chargers.

Even though wireless chargers are slower, they offer a different kind of convenience: they’re dead simple to use. Just drop your phone onto the charging pad and it’ll start charging. I love having a wireless charger at my desk and in the kitchen, two places where I know I’ll pick up my phone to glance at it a lot. Instead of having to physically unplug the phone every single time, I can just pick it up and put it back when I’m done. As a bonus, stand-style Qi chargers let me see notifications or check recipes at a glance when I don’t have a free hand.

No more hunting down cables, fiddling with them, a wireless charger saves you all of this trouble by only requiring you to just drop and go. It’s that simple. Forget about fumbling with cords and adaptors when you need some power—wireless chargers are as intuitive to use as they are easy to set up.

While wireless charging is not (yet) truly wireless as you would expect from its name, it’s still way more convenient than regular cables. Of course, you still have to connect the charging dock to a power outlet, but that’s nothing compared to the struggle of untangling cables.

5. Charge Multiple Devices Simultaneously

One of the best advantages of wireless chargers is the ability to charge multiple devices at once. This is all thanks to the ability of certain charging docks to support two or three devices simultaneously.

Such functionality is becoming standard for charging pads and mats where you can charge your Apple Watch, AirPods, and iPhone all at once. With this, you can reduce the amount of cables and international power adapters at your home and workplace.

6. MagSafe Might Make You Ditch Cables Altogether

One of the biggest reasons wireless charging hasn’t taken over the world quite yet is the speed. When compared to wired charging, most wireless chargers just can’t keep up. But that’s changing quickly. If you’re using a standard Qi charger, iPhones can only support up to 7.5W, but if you pick up a MagSafe charger, that speed can be amped up to 15W.

Advances in fast-charging technology mean that a MagSafe wireless charger can actually charge your iPhone faster than using a lightning cable with a 5W charging brick.

While the fastest charging solution for your iPhone is still going to be a 20W charging brick paired with a USB-C to Lightning charging cable, MagSafe isn’t far behind. Depending on your needs, the convenience factor that comes with MagSafe might make it worth the slightly slower charging speed.

7. No Wear and Tear

You may not know it yet but wear and tear is one of the reasons you’re constantly shopping for charging cables. Naturally, cables wear and tear over time. Heck, even charging ports, too. And good genuine cables don’t come cheap, especially iPhone cables.

Because iPhone wireless charging does not require frequent plugging and unplugging of the charging cable, the wear and tear of the data interface of the iPhone will be reduced a lot. At the same time, the coil for wireless charging of iPhones is not exposed to the air, which can also reduce the oxidation and corrosion of the charging unit. The wired charging is often plugged and unplugged, which will easily lead to wear and tear, and the interface is exposed, which is prone to oxidation and corrosion.

Since using frayed cables isn’t an option due to the different risks they pose to your device, a sure-fire way to stay out of this trouble is to get a wireless charger. Unlike with charging cables, you only place your device atop the charging dock, and that’s it.

8. Wireless Charging Is the Future

Back in the day, when you bought a new iPhone it was a given that it would come with a few accessories, most importantly a charger. That all changed in 2020, when Apple controversially decided to start shipping new iPhones without any accessories at all. iPhones now come without earbuds and without a charger.

The iPhone has always been a tribute to minimalism, and Apple hasn’t been shy about cutting out features to achieve its vision of a perfect phone. Just like how Apple removed the headphone jack from the iPhone 7, rumors are circulating that the next leap forward might mean getting rid of the Lightning port altogether.

Although we haven’t seen a portless iPhone just yet, it’s possible we might see one in the near future. Picking up a wireless charger means you’ll be able to charge your iPhone now, and you’ll be ready for a portless future, whenever it does come. And, who knows, with the speed and convenience of MagSafe wireless charging, you might not miss the lightning port at all.

9. It is more safer than conventional charging

As there is less cabling involved, and that too need not to be in open space, the chances of common electrical hazards like low insulation, cable wear and tear or cable cut, sparks etc are very low. Hence, it can be said that the absence of open cabling reduces the chances of electrical accidents.

10. Faster to connect and disconnect

It is faster to connect and disconnect your iPhone from charging as you only have to place/lift your phone on/from the charging pod. No need to connect jacks or plugs.

Benefits of Wireless Charging on iPhone

Wireless charging has many advantages. First, wireless charging has no wear and tear. Additionally, it allows you to charge several devices simultaneously, helps you maintain a clean desk environment, and is very convenient. While it has its disadvantages, these reasons are good enough for you to switch to the wireless side.

Tag: iPhone Tips
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20+ Disadvantages of iPhone in 2026

by Moses Johnson

No one is perfect in the world. If God cannot make a perfect creature, how can humans? Everything in the world has its advantages and disadvantages. there are a lot of people who love iPhones but there are also many who would never like to own an iOS device due to some of its most annoying drawbacks. In this article, we are going to talk about the Disadvantages Of iPhones.

The vast majority of people dislike iPhones. Mostly it’s because of the few options of hardware and software customization that they have. If you happen to ask someone to recommend a good smartphone for you, they will probably ask you to buy another type of phone apart from an iPhone. So the big question is, what are the disadvantages of iPhone? In this article, i’m going to explain 21 disadvantages of buying an iPhone in 2026.

If you traverse across the Internet, you are likely to come across loads of Apple lovers making some pretty good things about iPhone. But frivolous altercation aside, what are the disadvantages of iPhone?

The short answer: The iPhone is expensive, have few apps in Apple Store, lack of headphone jack and more.

Top 21 disAdvantages of an iPhone

The disadvantages of using an iPhone are mostly subjective to an individual’s needs, but the general ones are as follows.

1. iPhones are expensive

iPhones are exorbitantly priced. Even a two-year-old iPhone is more expensive than a new high-end smartphone. Yes, the user interface and hardware integration with the apps on the iPhone are superior to those on other smartphones. However, this does not excuse the exorbitant iPhone costs.

2. Few free apps and games in Apple store

On iPhone, you can only install applications from Apple’s App Store. If Apple doesn’t want to approve an app or they have removed it from the app store, you just can’t use it. For example, Apple store do not allow video games emulators, BitTorrent clients and many other types of apps that they consider controversial.

3. Radio is not in-built

Unlike devices running on other platforms, Apple phones do not come with radio pre-loaded on them. Users wanting to listen to radio on the iPhones have to do so by downloading radio apps.

4. iPhone apps are usually big, consuming too much space.

With specific features and characteristics made specifically for the iPhone, apps made for the platform become very heavy, taking up a lot of storage space of the device. Thus, when you want to play games on the device using an iPhone, you have to make way for apps that come in several gigabytes.

5. Limited widgets even after upgrades on iPhone

With minimal variation in user interface and design, the platform offers very little to look forward to in terms of trending designs in upgrades. Even when the users buy a higher version with the same icons as before, Home screen continues to look the same. Those looking for an exciting new look have to stay satisfied with the previous look and feel of the platform.

6. Too simple and doesn’t support computer work as in other devices

When using the iPhone, the platform has its limitations in terms of offering a computer -like experience. As compared to other platforms, iPhone offers comparatively simpler performance options.

7. Lack of Headphone Jack

If you have ever used an iPhone, I know there is time you have gone to insert a pair of headphones into your phone only to realize that you have forgotten your headphone dongle somewhere. This feels so bad because an iPhone can’t be connected with standard headphone due to absence of headphone jack. Thus the absence of headphone jack is one of the major disadvantages of the iPhone.

8. Use of iTunes is a bloated mess.

Apple is a pioneer of hardware and software design, but iTunes – which is required to transfer music between your iPhone and computer – is a bloated mess. Uninstalling it is a nightmare, to the extent that Apple publishes an extensive guide for how to fully remove iTunes from your PC.

9. Absence of physical back button

Physical back button allows you to go back from one application to another seamlessly. Like if you hit a link in Facebook and get transported to the Chrome browser, you can return to the social media app when you hit the back button. This is not the same case in iPhone because there is no back button, however, you can get contextual back buttons within apps or a back button that appears when you click a link that takes you from one app to another.

10. limited Launcher

With minimal variation in user interface and design, the platform offers very little to look forward to in terms of trending designs in upgrades. Home screen continue to look the same even when users buy higher versions with the same icons as before. Those looking for an exciting new look have to stay satisfied with the previous look and feel of the platform.

11. Expensive Accessories.

It goes without saying that iPhone accessories are expensive. Airpods, phone cases, Apple pencils, lightning cables, and anything else made by Apple is expensive.

12. No External Storage.

The iPhone does not support SD cards. There is no SD card slot on any iPhone. Even if you attach an SD card reader to your iPhone and insert an SD card, your iPhone will only allow you to move images and not other documents or media files.

13. Overheating

One of the most common problems in iPhones is overheating. Sometimes an iPhone will just feel a little warmer than it should, and other times the back of the iPhone will be too hot and it feels like it might burn your hand. Either way, if you have got a hot iPhone, it means there’s something wrong.

14. Limited storage

Apple only offered iPhone users 5GB of free iCloud storage, which is enough space for about 1,500 photos. While that may sound like a lot, most users found themselves burning through their 5GB allotment within one year of device ownership. And to make matters worse, Apple only supply’s 5GB of free space for each iCloud account, rather than for each device you own. So you could be taking photos and videos on your iPhone, creating iWork documents on your iPad, and storing important files on your Mac with iCloud Drive, and you’d still be supplied with just 5GB of space.

15. Apple Ecosystem

The Apple Ecosystem is mostly a curse. Once you get in, it’s really difficult to get out. The ecosystem is essentially there to make consumers purchase more Apple products. You’re likely to purchase a MacBook if you have an iPhone rather than a windows laptop. This way you won’t be able to see if other brands have better devices and you’ll have to wait until Apple makes one or updates the previous model.

16. Battery Life

The iPhone battery life is not that great when compared to other smartphones. While many people will be happy with the performance of their batteries, especially if it lasts all day long, some may find this a problem for them.

17. Less choices in iPhone Hardware

When it comes to Apple, it releases a maximum of four types of iPhone in every generation in a year. That is iPhone Pro Max, iPhone Pro, iPhone and iPhone mini. You will only be needed to choose between the four types in that year.

18. Lightening cable charger is hard to find

The chip inside lightening cable charger is encryption protected. Third-party manufacturers also need to authorize MFI and other technical certification to allow production, thus making it hard to be found and when found it becomes expensive.

19. No customization

iOS supported devices are not customizable and all the code is private. You have to jailbreak your phone to make it customizable. But if you jailbreak your iPhone then the privacy of your phone comes at a risk.

20. No multitasking

Multitasking is achieved by splitting the screen and using two apps simultaneously. For example, you can be watching a YouTube video and replying to your WhatsApp messages at the same time. It’s unclear why Apple hasn’t added this feature to the iPhone yet, but perhaps it has something to do with the size of the app windows on the iPhone’s display as compared with the larger iPad.

You can argue iOS does multi-tasking all you want. And it’s true, you can do multiple things at once by switching apps back and forth, but that doesn’t even come close to the level of multi-tasking some devices offer.

21. No sideloading of Apps

Sideloading of Apps means, installing apps from outside the authorised place to bypass some restrictions. Apple does not let you do that on an iPhone. It has even faced criticism and pressure from regulators for this, but Apple has always maintained its stance that its iPhone is secure this way. Thus you can not install an app that is not in the Apple Store.

Disadvantages of an iPhone? Now you know!

With numerous disadvantages of having an iPhone, it’s easy to figure out why iPhones are not preferred more. Before buying an iPhone, it’s good to read the above cons of iPhone.

Tag: iPhone Tips
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