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As iPhone and Android users, we sometimes think that repairing a smartphone is always simple and easy. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. For many issues, there just simply isn’t a feasible DIY way to complete the fix without risking permanent damage or voiding your warranty. There are important components that must be properly maintained and repaired when necessary. The hardware and software of every smartphone can be highly sensitive, so asking the help of professionals is a good decision to make.

Why Choose a Professional Instead of Trying it Yourself?

Fast Service 

Certified technicians are all well-versed in the current technology that we have today. They can quickly repair mobile devices running on both iOS and Android operating systems. Free diagnostics can be provided too. Customers should understand that every repair shop has a standard turnaround time, but in general, the process will be faster than trying out a repair at home without the proper tools.

Accurate Diagnostics 

In the tech repair industry, most professionals who are working for many years acquired new skill sets as technology continues to change. They provide accurate diagnostics to quickly determine the cause of problems and ensure that these won’t happen again. Certified techs use reliable tools to have consistency in every repair service provided. 

Technical Expertise 

Every licensed technician has technical expertise depending on the industry. Electronics repair focuses on resolving power failure, hardware/software compatibility issues, and more. Professionals know their way around with simple and complex issues day by day. In a repair shop,  they follow certain support boundaries and there are escalation procedures as well. It’s a good decision to choose experienced professionals.  

Tech professionals are also exposed to different applications that work on either iOS or Android operating systems. They’ve used highly technical skills to navigate complex platforms and developed interpersonal skills when speaking to non-technical people. Professionals in this field can explain complex data to customers using easy-to-understand words. 

Minimizes Risks 

Reducing risks is one of the reasons why customers look for the right repair shop. But, people just can’t trust every store they visit. A tech professional can repair every smartphone at reasonable costs. Data management, battery replacement, water damage, and cracked screen repair are services provided at the electronics shop. If you’re not careful, then things can get worse. 

Visiting one of the leading shops in the area gives you a chance to meet licensed technicians who are experts in mobile technology. Doing this gives you peace of mind because everything saved on your smartphone is secured. At the end of the day, customers are happy because a tech problem is resolved using the right tools. Nowadays, it can be easy for others to say that they know how to fix a smartphone but proving it is another story. The best way to minimize risks is to choose a professional who can do what’s best for your device. 

Hardware and Software 

Generally, all smartphones have similarities especially when it comes to hardware and software. For Apple and Android phones, downloadable apps can be found in one place like the Google Playstore and Apple Store. Smartphones have reliable operating systems and motherboards. Your devices won’t work without these two important components. Tech professionals have the skills to repair, analyze, and replace parts when needed.  

OS Recovery 

You might experience technical problems with your smartphone, and repairing the device yourself may damage some parts instead of fixing them. A corrupted system can be considered a complex tech problem on an iPhone and Android phone. Power outages, viruses, and wrong system updates can be some of the causes. The best solution is to drop by a repair shop near you so professionals can look into it. 

Back-up Data 

Loss of data is one common concern in mobile technology. Before system recovery, it is recommended to backup data especially the ones that are important to you. Certified technicians can safely store information and it will be available as soon as the task is complete. 

Data Recovery 

When data becomes inaccessible on your mobile phone, most people simply give up. In this day and age, tech professionals are using reliable tools to provide data recovery services. Whether you lost photos, files, or folders, leave them all to the experts. 

Motherboard Maintenance and Repair 

First things first, it is not expected for end-users to repair motherboards on their own. A brand new phone can cost you a lot of money, so if something goes wrong, it’s important to choose licensed techs who can take care of your smartphone seriously. 

Here are some causes of motherboard problems: 

1. Spilled water 
2. Dust accumulation 
3. Physical damage 
4. Manufacturing defects 
5. Poor maintenance 

If you are getting a blank screen and error messages more often, start looking for a tech professional. 

Here are a few services that can be provided: 

1. Micro soldering is a process of repairing small components that can’t be seen by our eyes. The tiny parts can only be visible by the use of a microscope. Imagine this: A motherboard consists of microchips and capacitors that work together to support the functionality of your smartphone. Licensed techs understand this whole process. 

2. Assembling and disassembling motherboards. 

3. A motherboard replacement is another option if it happens to be unrepairable. Rest assured that other parts won’t get damaged during the repair.  

In the electronics repair industry, licensed technicians are aware of the steps on how to properly maintain a smartphone. That said, we’ve decided to compile a list of things you can also do below.

1. Never use the phone in the rain. Water accumulation can cause damage to the internal parts. 

2. If you’re not knowledgeable enough about the smartphone’s hardware, do not attempt to remove the motherboard. Leave it to a tech professional. 

3. Do not place the mobile phone under extreme weather conditions as this may negatively impact its performance.  

4. Avoid overcharging your phone. Overcharged smartphones won’t only affect battery life, it can also damage the motherboard. 

5. Never use applications that might cause the smartphone to overheat. 

6. Avoid dropping the smartphone too often as this may cause physical damage. Use a shockproof cover to protect its parts. 

Malware Protection  

The iOS platform has a sandbox that provides a high level of security, so restrictions can always be seen during the installation of apps on your iPhone. It’s also the best way to prevent Malware attacks from happening. However, jailbroken Apple phones can be vulnerable to viruses since it bypasses certain restrictions. 

Android phones on the other hand have an open system that gives users more opportunities to install applications even outside the Google Playstore. In this case, there are potential risks of getting the Malware into the system. 

If you’re confused, that’s OK. Spyware and malware protection is something our techs specialize in. We’re happy to help answer basic questions about virus protection. 

Certified Tech vs. Non-Certified Tech 

When it comes to mobile phone repair, customers always want nothing but the best. Others say that a smartphone is an extension of yourself. What if something’s already wrong with it? Who do you talk to? 

A certified technician is a person who has undergone intensive training and passed all the requirements of becoming an expert in his field. He has received certification for it.

On the other hand, a non-certified tech is someone who only has relevant experience in the industry. Some states don’t require certifications. 

Customers always have the discretion to choose whether or not licensed techs are good for them. It depends on experience, technical, and customer service skills. 

When to look for a tech professional? 

When you buy an iPhone and Android device, everything seems to work just fine. Typically, a new gadget still has superior performance until it reaches its lifespan. When this happens, every smartphone may not be working at its full capacity. 

Here are some warning signs: 

1. Slow speed. 
2. Error messages 
3. Distorted images upon restart. 
4. Blurry videos and photos. 
5. Power failure. 
6. Touchscreen problems 
7. Unclear audio
8. Charging port issues 

These are common problems when a smartphone starts to age. Do not ignore the signs and seek the help of a tech professional near you. 

Costs 

It’s practical to get Apple and Samsung phones fixed these days. Certified techs follow standard pricing set by repair shops. Buying a brand new one now might cost you a lot. So, get your smartphone repaired today! 

Years of Experience

When looking for a tech professional, it is important to consider years of electronics repair experience. Most shops today already expanded support boundaries to further support new and existing customers. Our technology continues to evolve at a faster rate and so is the repair service. Users depend on both iOS and Android operating systems, so look for people who are already good at these platforms. 

Follow-Up 

Licensed technicians work at repair shops near your area. It’s easier to follow up on the condition of the device right after repair. You can call, text, email, and check the status online. Walk-ins are usually encouraged when customers have urgent requests.  

Store Policy  

Every repair shop has a policy that protects business owners, employees, and customers. Tech professionals already spent time understanding store policies that cater to the needs of every walk-in customer. Warranty and refund are usually included in the shop’s terms and conditions, as well as COVID-19 safety restrictions. 

Does Your Smartphone need to be Fixed?

Want to schedule a visit? Give us a call, stop in our shop, or you can also request a free quote online.

The adage “nothing lasts forever” applies to many things, especially to today’s smartphones. 

Drops in performance are typically direct results of how you’re using and maintaining your phone. While we all know it’s completely natural for our smartphones’ battery health to degrade over time, we’re still pretty much puzzled about performance drops — especially dramatic ones.

What makes a phone “slow”?

While the answers to what makes a phone slow are subjective based on the user experiencing the phone’s performance, we all have a few answers that resonate with us all. From animation delays to app launching, here are the things that scream your phone’s performance level is going down:

Animation delays

Without being a smartphone expert, you’ll notice delays in visual movements and seconds of waiting time before one movement, such as swiping to the next page of apps.

Time delays in opening apps

We all know this — we bought our phones and were very impressed by how it opens and closes different applications. Months or years after, we’re starting to get annoyed by the seconds we have to wait just to open our Instagram app.

In the ideal world, launching any type of application should take you less than a second. If you still have the time to get a bag of chips after tapping on your Netflix app and turning back to your phone while it struggles to load stuff up, you’re bound to give it a good reset or get a new one.

You’re starting to get storage warnings

One of the main culprits of decreasing smartphone performance is storage. Many users tend to unknowingly fill their phones up with storage-hogging files, such as high-quality videos and photos, big applications, and many others.

You don’t have to be a tech expert to know that when your phone’s storage is full, your phone slows down and you won’t be able to miss the performance drop. Some users are probably used to the wait, but for ones who aren’t these signs can be annoying.

How do I make a smartphone faster?

Some people would say the solution is to drop that slow phone and buy a new one, but not everyone can do that at a moment’s notice. That’s why we compiled a list of useful tips that’ll help you improve your phone’s performance. Yes, this applies to both Android and iOS phones.

1. Restart

In almost every gadget out there, the first order of business when things aren’t going right is to restart. This applies to your phone as well. If you’re experiencing performance issues such as lagging or getting stuck somewhere, restart your phone. This should fix temporary performance issues.

2. Update

Some people might say you shouldn’t download and install updates right away when they come out, but that should be taken with a grain of salt. Updates come with bug fixes and security enhancements that keep your phone running and your information protected.

If you go through update notes like no one ever does, you’ll find fixes to issues reported by users. These fixes could mend the performance drop you’re experiencing. Take it from us and keep your smartphone updated.

3. Uninstall apps you don’t need

Applications take storage space and take a chunk off your memory — giving your phone less juice to work with. Less juice means it’ll struggle to perform other tasks. Remember that when an app isn’t useful to you, get rid of it. Completely. Do this to all apps you don’t use anymore and you’ll be surprised by how much it helps your phone’s speed.

4. Reduce animations

Remember when we said delays in animation mean your phone is slow? We’ve got a direct solution for that. In most smartphones, users are given the option to reduce animations. The reduction will result in less than pleasing movements on your screen, but you get a little performance boost in return. You can find this under the “settings” option.

5. Factory Reset

Factory resetting your phone is a great way to clear everything and boot your phone up as if it were brand new. Different phones have different factory reset options. Some allow you to select what you want to reset — which beats the purpose — while some only let you do a 100 percent reset. Meaning everything goes.

A factory reset can make all the changes you need or not at all. This should be your last resort, especially when you’re at risk of losing important data you don’t have backups for.

What if I need help?

If you are experiencing a slow phone and none of the above tips are helping, give us a call. There could be another issue that a professional can diagnose and fix at a fraction of the cost of buying a new phone. We will give you a free quote, so don’t hesitate to give us a call, visit us directly, or fill out an instant quote form by clicking here.

We’ve been working within the confines of our humble abodes for over a year now. Even if you don’t notice or admit it, it’s kind of draining when the line between personal and work time gets blurry. With an identical place for both work and play, getting a break can be quite a task. A year into working from home isn’t enough to adjust to, coming from years with a dedicated place, such as office buildings for work.

As we teach ourselves to work outside our homes again, it’s essential to take things one step at a time. You can start working on your porch, garden, or any other part of your home that isn’t indoors. But how can you make sure you enjoy and get things done while working outdoors?

We’ve got you covered with three tips:

1. Optimize Your Laptop’s Battery Life

With a portable computer coming hand in hand with working from home or outside of it, you know how essential it is to keep your laptop charged all the time. But the traditional way we all go is staying plugged into a wall socket. You can’t just find wall sockets anywhere you go, right? A short laptop battery life will keep you indoors.

That’s why you must know the necessary system tweaks that will make your laptop’s battery last longer when you’re headed outside for a change of scenery. 

Turn On Battery Saving Mode

Laptops powered by macOS and Windows come with their battery saver modes. You can hover over the battery icon in the taskbar and just turn on battery saver mode. There might be a slight performance loss, but it’s worth it considering the extended battery juice.

Lower Your Brightness

Your display brightness is one of your laptop’s biggest battery drainers. The bigger and brighter your screen is, the heavier work it puts on your battery, making it last for less than the ideal time.

Turn Off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth When Not Needed

If you’re just typing down a few things without online reference, help your battery by turning off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. You’ll be surprised by how much battery life you’ll save by making this a habit.

2. Get A Portable Laptop Charger

When system tweaks don’t make the cut because your laptop’s battery isn’t as good as it used to be, you’re left with one choice. That’s to get yourself a portable laptop charger. They aren’t as handy as the power banks we use for our phones, but they function the same way.

You can charge your smartphone and other work devices along with your laptop! Since you won’t always have a wall socket near you, it’s good to have one of these portable chargers handy.

Such chargers are powerful and pack a lot of juice. They can be heavy, so prepare to carry them to your new outdoor working spot. Here’s a list of portable laptop chargers you should check out.

3. Avoid Crowds

Certain places  just aren’t made for productivity. The beach, a restaurant, and the likes are places where you should expect flower productivity due to the number of people and commotion. Moreover, these places are designed for recreational activities, not preparing for your next managerial meeting.

Your home’s outdoor areas are good examples of productive spaces. If you live alone, you might more easily find new outdoor working spaces for getting things done. And if your laptop or phone does drop on the cement or get splashed by a sprinkler, don’t hesitate to call us! We’ll have you back to typing speed in no time.

r? How long would they use the iPad? Lastly, what’s your ideal price range?

If you’re aware of your grad’s device and gadget usage (favorite device? Favorite apps?), you’ll have an idea of which iPad model to buy them. If they’re finishing up high school using Microsoft Office for school work and communicating with their peers, you’re better off going with the iPad Air, both price- and comfort-wise.

But if the student is wrapping up a Bachelor’s degree – and perhaps playing with upper-level hobbies like graphic design or coding – they’re better off with the iPad Pro for its processing power and bigger screen size options. They can still work just fine with an iPad Air, but if they have application needs that are more than the power Microsoft Office requires, the iPad Pro is the ideal choice. For instance, most companies use a combination of office and productivity tools that do require a bit more juice – apps like Slack, Teams, Zoom, and Airtable come to mind.

Battery Life

We know battery life is a concern, so let’s jump in. All iPad Pro models can last up to 10 hours while a user surfs the web or streams videos on Wi-Fi, and up to 9 hours on a cellular data network. 

The iPad Air doesn’t sit far away from that range, lasting the same hours on both Wi-Fi and cellular data network for the same activities.

Apple Pencil Compatibility

While both the Pro and Air work with the Apple Pencil, the Pro fares better in terms of use. The iPad Pro allows the Pencil to charge by connecting to the iPad Pro. The same feature is non-existent in the iPad Air.

If your future graphic designer or product manager won’t be using the Apple Pencil enough to need it to remain juiced up, this isn’t much of an issue. But if they use apps that benefit from sustained Apple Pencil use, such as drawing and note-taking applications like Procreate, the iPad Pro’s compatibility with the Pencil is a good feature to consider.

Display Size

In terms of display sizes, the iPad Pro wins with its 12.9-inch model. This is also one of the good points about the Pro you should consider. Everyone would benefit from a bigger screen, but that would mean a heavier work unit to lug around on a work commute. If your grad is now in a #WFH career, this may be irrelevant!

If the person who’ll be using the iPad doesn’t mind the weight, they can go with the Pro, but if weight is a concern, the Air is a good choice in terms of mobility.

Final Thoughts

Both models are perfect for basic productivity needs for recent graduates in a variety of fields of work, but if you’re looking to use either model as a computer, be prepared to lower your expectations. Why? Because neither model is specifically engineered to be used as a computer. 

There’s just so much computers can do that iPads can’t. The closest iPad model to computers is the iPad Pro, but why not just get yourself a computer if that’s what you’re looking for in terms of performance? Considering the cost of Apple products, this may indeed be a better option.

The iPad Pro is the more powerful model, but that comes with a hefty price tag for some buyers. Consider your gift recipient – what will they be doing with it in their new career? You may just arrive with the Air as your pick. In terms of maximum productivity through the power of Apple’s iPads, the Pro is always the better choice. It’s the bulkier one in terms of processing power, screen size, and compatibility. The iPad Air comes at a cheaper price tag, but you shouldn’t expect the same features you’d get from the Pro.

So what’ll it be? That’s for you to decide – but we hope this breakdown helps you shop for your recent college graduate. And from us at iFixNSell to them, congratulations on making it through!