– ELENA SCOTTI\/WSJ, ISTOCK <\/p>\n
When the scent of pumpkin spice lattes starts to fill the air, I know it\u2019s time for those texts from friends and family: \u201cShould I get the new iPhone?\u201d<\/p>\n
My answer? Ehh, probably not. Temptation to upgrade will be high after Apple\u2019s\u00a0Sept. 9 launch event<\/a>. And there are very good reasons to buy the new model. But just because your oldie but goody suffers from sluggish performance, short battery life or a cracked touch screen, it isn\u2019t doomed to become e-waste.<\/p>\n By spending a little on repairs, you could save hundreds of dollars and extend your current iPhone\u2019s life by a year or more. Plus, it\u2019s worth waiting for the imminent iOS 26 software update<\/a>, which will add new tricks to recent older hardware\u2014at no additional cost.<\/p>\n That all depends on your model and its condition. Is your current iPhone\u2026<\/b><\/p>\n \u2026more than six years old? Upgrade.<\/b> Apple supports iPhones with new software updates for about seven years. The version of iOS expected next month doesn\u2019t support iPhone XS, XS Max or XR, or any earlier models. These updates include crucial security fixes, and outdated software can put your data at risk, so yes, you\u2019ll need new hardware.<\/p>\n \u2026a 2019 or newer model? Update.<\/b> iOS 26 comes with a live translator, spam-call screener and other helpful new capabilities, though the \u201cliquid glass\u201d redesign will require some adjustment.<\/p>\n A note: Even if your model is compatible with iOS 26<\/a>, some tricks are only available in the newest iPhones. Apple Intelligence, which includes access to ChatGPT via Siri and Genmoji, only works on iPhone 15 Pro, all of the iPhone 16 models<\/a> (including the 16e<\/a>) and of course the iPhones Apple is about to announce.<\/p>\n \u2026feeling slow? Or short on battery life? Repair.<\/b> A battery replacement can help with performance and battery life. As your iPhone\u2019s battery ages, the device is designed to draw less power, which means occasional unexpected shutdowns.<\/p>\n Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. If the capacity is below 80%, you should replace your battery. That should cost $99 or less, depending on the model.<\/p>\n If your battery is above 80%, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Deleting unused apps or uploading photos<\/a> to the cloud can help with speed too.<\/p>\n \u2026cracked? Repair.<\/b> The cost depends on your model and the damage.<\/p>\n Story Continues <\/p>\n Apple\u2019s online tool<\/a> can spit out an estimate for an Apple Store screen swap, which generally runs between $199 and $379. You typically make an appointment and then wait about 30 minutes.<\/p>\n Independent shops can offer you a lower price for a third-party aftermarket part, but quality can vary. While iPhones now have OLED screens, you can go cheap and replace yours with an LCD screen. But they don\u2019t look as good and can cause rapid battery drain, said Jessa Jones, owner of iPad Rehab Microsoldering, a mobile-device repair and data recovery shop in Honeoye Falls, N.Y.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re given the option, go for a \u201csoft\u201d OLED screen for the best combination of sharpness and durability.<\/p>\n Broken back glass is trickier. Apple charges between $199 and $499 for this repair. Jones said it often requires swapping the whole external housing to preserve water-resistance.<\/p>\n Cameras are one of the simplest repairs, Jones said. She replaced two different camera lenses on her iPhone 12 Pro, and the raw materials only cost her $1.43. Through Apple, this repair costs between $169 and $249. Jones\u2019s shop charges $50 plus tax for a repair with aftermarket parts.<\/p>\n \u2026not working properly? Repair or replace.<\/b> Start with an Apple Store consultation. Issues such as water damage or a faulty charging port need a deeper assessment. For these trickier cases, Apple may recommend paying for a replacement phone. In that event, if you don\u2019t have AppleCare, it might be better to buy one of the latest iPhones instead.<\/p>\n A local, independent shop might have more creative solutions. \u201cFor water damage, we\u2019d tear down the entire phone, remove everything, and let it sit in a dehumidifier for a little while,\u201d said Alex Hausfeld, a franchise consultant and former technician at uBreakiFix, which has over 680 repair locations.<\/p>\n If you live near an Apple Store or an Apple-authorized service provider, a repair is straightforward. You can make an online reservation for in-person support<\/a>, and often the repair can happen while you wait.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re far from a store, Apple\u2019s mail-in option can take up to nine business days, round trip.<\/p>\n There are also DIY kits from Apple<\/a>, iFixit<\/a> and others\u2014a route for savvy tinkerers only, warned Jones. \u201cTaking off a screen used to be like shucking an oyster. But they have become thinner and thinner. They\u2019re easy to break, and really expensive.\u201d<\/p>\n A local repair shop can be more convenient and affordable than either of those options. But because quality varies, uBreakiFix\u2019s Hausfeld suggests vetting the technician with these questions:<\/p>\n \u2022 Is the replacement a genuine original manufacturer or aftermarket option? If it\u2019s the latter, ask about potential impacts to performance.<\/p>\n \u2022 After the repair, how will the water-resistance and durability of the phone change?<\/p>\n \u2022 What warranty do you offer for replacement parts? Many shops should guarantee their parts for at least six months; uBreakiFix has a one-year warranty.<\/p>\n This year, your best iPhone upgrade might be a fresh battery, a clean screen and some new software tricks. Plus, the extra cash you get to keep in your pocket.<\/p>\n Here are two different iPhones\u2019 battery-capacity settings\u2014a newer healthy one and an older one in need of service. (The actual page depends on iOS version and phone model.) – <\/p>\n