I need to get a new iPhone for Cassie, any advice?, iPhone buying... Pretty much my idea of hel Options

[Matt]

All,
The Bush (as most people know her) has an iPhone 5Sx-pad-mini-lightening-black edition thing. I think it's an IPhone 5; it had a metal chasis and back, lightening connector and is phone shaped (fits in one hand).

Thr screen's going, thr battery has been replaced once and it's dying. I need to know what she should get next. Any advice?

Requirements:
Stick with Apple (she knows how it works)
Probably buy off contract.
Don't need thr latest most expensive.
Probably needs to last 2 to 3 years accepting upgrades.
Rather not got second hand.
Cheapest within those margins.

Anybody know these sort of things?

Matt

[james]

I'm in a similar position (my 5S keeps draining fast but I suspect it may be a software power-management issue, need to back it up and restore to see if that helps), and I am also looking along pretty much the same lines.

One thing you may wish to consider is that there are heavy rumours of a new model coming soon (March/April), a 5S-ish form factor with some of the improvements found in the 6 (6S being the current flagship model), for people who want the smaller (4") screen size - something I would be keen on personally. But it is only a rumour - Apple never releases official details of upcoming iPhones until they are a definite product.

[Matt]

I'm guessing though it will have a box-fresh price tag to go with it right?

btw, When Cass went to get her battery replaced, they looked at the model number and found it was part of faulty batch - and replaced it all for free (including labour). Worth a shot for you?

[james]

I'm guessing though it will have a box-fresh price tag to go with it right?

Yes I would think so - the current flagship model is 6S starting at £539 and the 5S (the current lowest-end model for sale from Apple, which this potential '5SE' would presumably replace) start at £379 (although both those prices are for 16GB models which I personally wouldn't bother with) - so I guess a fair estimate for the new one would be somewhere between the two.

btw, When Cass went to get her battery replaced, they looked at the model number and found it was part of faulty batch - and replaced it all for free (including labour). Worth a shot for you?

If a hard-reset doesn't sort it I would probably just get a replacement 3rd-party battery and do it myself, then in a couple of months either get this new rumoured one, or a 6S if it doesn't appear (or isn't what I want) - but thanks for the suggestion, if I can work out if it is a faulty batch without going to an Apple store (nearest are Kingston or Reading - not convenient) then I certainly will!

I am now reasonably proficient with repairs to iPhones, living in a house with 3 women all of whom have different models of them, I get plenty of practice replacing screens. Turns out dropping them onto tiled floors, submerging in the bath or accidental dousing with acetone (in the form of nail-polish remover), isn't the best thing for them - shocker.

[Matt]

Turns out dropping them onto tiled floors, submerging in the bath or accidental dousing with acetone (in the form of nail-polish remover), isn't the best thing for them - shocker.

You should stop varnishing your nails.