A new iPhone is coming – should you upgrade or fix your old one?

By improving sluggish performance or replacing a broken screen, it is easy to make your old iPhone feel like it is new again.

Apple's newest iPhone smartphones will come with a brighter screen. Picture: supplied

When the scent of pumpkin spice lattes starts to fill the air, I know it’s time for those texts from friends and family: “Should I get the new iPhone?”

My answer? Er, probably not. Temptation to upgrade will be high after Apple’s September 9 launch event. And there are very good reasons to buy the new model. But just because your oldie but goodie suffers from sluggish performance, short battery life or a cracked touch screen, it isn’t doomed to become e-waste.

By spending a little on repairs, you could save hundreds of dollars and extend your current iPhone’s life by a year or more. Plus, it’s worth waiting for the imminent iOS 26 software update, which will add new tricks to recent older hardware – at no additional cost.

Upgrade, update or repair?

That all depends on your model and its condition. Is your current iPhone …

More than six years old? Upgrade. Apple supports iPhones with new software updates for about seven years. The version of iOS expected next month doesn’t 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 These updates include crucial security fixes, and outdated software can put your data at risk so, yes, you’ll need new hardware.

A 2019 or newer model? Update – iOS 26 comes with a live translator, spam-call screener and other helpful new capabilities, though the “liquid glass” redesign will require some adjustment. A note: Even if your model is compatible with iOS 26, some tricks are available only 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 (including the 16e) and of course the iPhones Apple is about to announce.

Feeling slow, or short on battery life? Repair. A battery replacement can help with performance and battery life. As your iPhone’s battery ages, the device is designed to draw less power, which means occasional unexpected shutdowns.

Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. If capacity is below 80 per cent, you should replace the battery. That should cost $99 ($A150) or less, depending on the model. If your battery is above 80 per cent, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Deleting unused apps or uploading photos to the cloud can help with speed too.

Cracked? Repair. The cost depends on your model and the damage. Apple’s online tool can spit out an estimate for an Apple Store screen swap, which generally runs at $199 to $379. You typically make an appointment and then wait about 30 minutes.

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’t look as good and can cause rapid battery drain. If you’re given the option, go for a “soft” OLED screen for the best combination of sharpness and durability.

Broken back glass is trickier. Apple charges between $199 and $499 for this repair, and experts suggest it often requires swapping the whole external housing to preserve water-resistance. Cameras are one of the simplest repairs. You can replace two different camera lenses on an iPhone 12 Pro, and the raw materials only cost about $2. Through Apple, this repair costs $169 to $249. But you can have it repaired for about $50 using aftermarket parts.

Still not working properly? Repair or replace. 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’t have AppleCare, it might be better to buy one of the latest iPhones instead.

A local independent shop might have more creative solutions.

“For water damage, we’d tear down the entire phone, remove everything, and let it sit in a dehumidifier for a little while,” said Alex Hausfeld, a franchise consultant and former technician at uBreakiFix.

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.