Apple discontinued the iPhone XR after the launch of the latest iPhone 13 series, which is understandable given that it’s a three-year-old phone. The smartphone had been the go-to budget iPhone since 2018, and it is still a competitive device in 2021, according to Digital Trends writer Michael Allison, who just spent a week testing a refurbished one.
Now, Apple is offering it as a loaner smartphone while it repairs your broken iPhone, according to an internal memo obtained by MacRumors, which states that the iPhone XR will be offered as a loaner starting November 4. This won’t be a universal program, though. Only Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers will be able to offer the iPhone XR as a loaner device to consumers during lengthier repairs in the U.S. and other regions.
The option for a loaner will also only be available if the Apple Store determines that your iPhone must be mailed off to an Apple repair center to be serviced. Notably, you must return the loaner iPhone within 14 days after the date that Apple notifies you that your repaired iPhone is ready for pickup.
For reference, as of now, Apple offers the aging iPhone 8 if your iPhone takes longer than usual to repair. The company is now shifting to the iPhone XR, which came out a year after the iPhone 8. It comes with major upgrades over the iPhone 8, including features like Face ID with a broad notch at the top of the display. It is also powered by the capable A12 Bionic chip, has 3GB RAM, and a 2,942mAh battery. It’s not the most powerful iPhone anymore, but it should be more than enough to tide you over for a week or two, plus it supports iOS 15 with no serious problems reported.
Are you tired of paying for streaming services you never watch just to get a phone plan feature you actually want? T-Mobile has good news for you! The carrier is rolling out new plans, called T-Mix, in early November to replace its old Experience lineup with a build-your-own perks system called Picks.
The benefits you choose vary from streaming and gaming to food delivery, AI, satellite service, and phone discounts. But if you are satisfied with your existing plan, you can keep it.
Merely days after the iPhone Duo hit the shelves, images of broken screens on the phone started popping up across social media. Until now, it’s been unclear what’s causing the line of defective pixels that appears vertically along the crease, as well as horizontally, on the phone’s inner display.
Apple has finally acknowledged the issue, which has shown up on iPhone Duo units owned by customers as well as demo units in stores. In a statement shared with Bloomberg, Apple says that not all iPhone Duo units are affected and that those that are tend to show the display fault early on. The company added that users who experience problems with their iPhone Duo display should contact AppleCare for a replacement.
Not long ago, Apple treated independent repair like an act of outright hostility. The Cupertino giant locked down parts with serial-number pairing, while repair tools remained firmly out of reach of anyone outside its authorized repair network. More importantly, the company waged a legal and lobbying battle against right-to-repair legislation.
I've covered enough of these fights over the years to know what a shift looks like. That's why what happened in October 2026 genuinely caught me off guard. The day the iPhone Duo went on sale, what may be the most mechanically complex iPhone to date, Apple pulled off a surprising about-face. It published teardown-style repair manuals for a handful of major components.