Apple has never updated my OS however, when I had my iPad 3 battery replaced, that was apparently a send back to Apple for a “new” one, and that came with a newer OS which never worked as well as the one I’d left it on.
They also bricked my original SE, replaced it with a new one and that whole process was a nightmare. Never make your appt for a Friday afternoon!
The need for backups is critical.
Fingers crossed nothing happens to my phone Tuesday!
Thanks @dianed143 ! I had a number of problems with Apple Store repair service that I won’t devolve into but our nearest is around an hour’s drive and parking cost away. On my last ever visit, some years ago for iirc a warranty repair of battery or keyboard or something they insisted on changing the OS against my wishes. Luckily back then it was possible to restore a mac from a bootable CCC backup and I was able to go forth.
A nearer authorized Apple repairer also told that was a requirement of Apple so ever since I have done my own battery changes following iFixit. Hence my cautionary statement. Sigh.
for you here too!
Ohhhh that’s bad news! I had my MBPr repaired by them, the last time being a few years ago and thankfully they never did that. How long ago did you hear that? I do not want to be updated!
This is why I upgraded my iPhone 12 mini’s iOS to v26.2 since Apple didn’t want to give me any updated v18 with security fixes only. I missed v18.7.3, but then it wasn’t even supported by Apple I think. I did read that Apple refused to support and fix issues if iOS wasn’t at the latest supported version (e.g., v26.2 right now). Apple really wants to buy newer hardwares even batteries. [sighs]
Hi @dianed143 I don’t intend to stir anyone up, just to put them on their guard. Ask before turning the device in, see it in writing that they will not touch your OS etc. if that is what you want.
I appreciate the heads up! I’ll make sure to talk to them before they take the phone back. You’d think that would take them way more time if they have to keep updating machines while working on them.
Comparing these three models, the dimensions are:
It’s not a big difference, but it is significant.
I hung onto the “perfect” 13 mini until it came time to upgrade Mac and iPads, both woefully (>10 years) old and cranky (some might say just like me🤣). Since new devices would come with latest OSs, and figuring future iPhones would only get bigger (no interest in a foldable), I decided to go all in and upgrade everything so that all devices can run current apps, etc. The worn and beaten mini is still my most-used (extension) phone ringing through from the 17. Yes, the 17 is a bit larger and heavier, and I was fully prepared to return the 17 if it proved too unwieldy. But the adjustment to it was/is much easier than I expected. It still fits in shirt pocket, coat pockets, all my regular iphone spots. The increased screen and much better camera are very nice. And, it will accept OS updates, whereas mini is at a dead end. I opted for one big learning curve (heartburn) now (Mac, iPad pro, iPhone, OS26) rather than incremental heartburn in the future when aging brain and patience might not be so receptive.
I am over paying more than an actual computer… for a phone. I also bought a M4 Mini a few months ago so I’ve already had the new OS shock! ;)
I know what you mean . . . but you do realize that your new phone is literally a supercomputer compared to the creme de la creme of workstations twenty years ago?
Yeah, it’s kinda tiny and the screen is really tiny compared to a 27" monitor and the keyboard is irritating but it’s really kind of neat isn’t it? Pull it out of your pocket in Zagreb and it tells you where you are, where the nearest restaurants are, how to get to your hotel, when the next flight to Copenhagen leaves and what’s the best price for it, call your friend from the middle of the street and discover their house is two doors down and not 2 blocks down, and will run a Fourier transform on that data you were wondering about while you paw about for actual cash money in your pocket for that coffee?
When I have serious things to do there is no substitute for a real, big-screen, workstation. I could do with an old flip-phone for the day to day but traveling? OMG Smartphones are the best!
Dave
I wonder how accurate iOS 26.2.1 Update: Fixing Battery Drain, Lag, and More! - Geeky Gadgets is. Will v26.2.1 and v26.3 really fix this issue? Hmm! Anyone here using v26.3 beta 2?
Travelers with Smartphones, please be cautious in usage, aware of your surroundings, set the screen to lock quickly, back up to a home computer, know what to do if/when it goes missing etc. A friend of ours was traveling and his phone disappeared from his back pocket while on a crowded subway. Quite a lot of cost and inconvenience in recovering from the theft.
Oh, and on the topic, carry a charger and or charging cable/plug adapter…
I did both! Bought an iPhone 16, and replaced the battery on my old iPhone 12 mini. Why? I use the iPhone 12 for lot things like listening to podcasts on walks, where its small size is very convenient. Another bonus is that if it gets stolen or damaged that’s not a big problem. I also take it along on trips, especially international, as a backup in case my 16 gets stolen (of course there’s no cellular connectivity but these days you can almost always get wifi).
In October I upgraded my beloved 12 mini to a 17. The battery life was terrible and I was interested in newer, better cameras, especially macro photography. I got $100 trade in, a military discount, and paid with Apple Card so the cost was $640. About $300 more than I prefer. It took a while to get used to the size but I’m good with it now. I hate big phones. My husband still has his 13 mini which has a much better battery.
I have a 13 mini, and it has Face ID and Magsafe charging!
I’m keeping my mini until the wheels fall off, due to its perfect size.
I know. I love my 13 mini and will use it also until legs fall off. I use the new 17 only as a call-forwarding device for now at home, and as my “travel/going to town etc” phone. I was upgrading everything, so went all in to include 17 pro mostly for camera and as a hedge against future iphone size increases. And to be able to keep all devices on future OSs, with same USBC connections. The 13 won’t go beyond 26. It was a splurge, but now I’m set for another decade.