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UK iPhone owners finally get DIY repairs to fix smashed screens

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3 years ago

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iPhone owners in the UK can now opt to repair their devices from the comfort of their own homes. Apple has just revealed that its Self Service Repair is now launching in Britain with it offering customers the chance to fix issues, such as broken screens, without taking a trip to their local store. This useful service was actually first announced all the way back in April but, at launch, it was only available to users in the USA.

Thankfully, that’s all changed with those in the UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Sweden now able to purchase genuine Apple parts and fit them themselves.

Along with getting the correct bits and pieces needed to fix a device, this service also offers the specific tools to get the job done as well as manuals to help guide owners through each step of a repair. There’s a total of 200 different parts that can be purchased with Apple also offering the option to rent the tools needed to fix things up.

The parts included in the programme are the same ones — at the same price — as those available to Apple’s network of authorised repair providers but you won’t pay for the technician’s time which makes things cheaper.

To start the Self Service Repair process, a customer will first review the repair manual for the product they want to repair by visiting support.apple.com/self-service-repair. Then, they can visit the Apple Self Service Repair Store and order the necessary parts and tools.

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Apple says that its new Self Service Repair is part of its efforts to further expand access to repairs and increase the repairability of products over time.

There’s no word on full UK pricing just yet but in the US a battery repair is around $70 (£55) whilst a new screen will set you back $267 (£210).

Customers can also send replaced parts back for refurbishment and recycling, and in many cases receive a credit off their purchase by doing so.

This is the first time that Apple has ever allowed users to mend their own devices. Until now, replacing a screen or battery has always needed to be done by an authorised firm which not only means a trip into town but also higher prices.

Along with the iPhone, the tech giant is also promising to make other parts available for devices that use the new M1 chip.

“We believe the best technology for our customers and for the planet is technology that lasts, which is why we design our products to be durable and rarely require maintenance or repair,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer.

“But when a repair is needed, we want customers to have many options for safe, reliable, and secure repair. That’s why we’re excited to launch Self Service Repair in Europe, giving our customers direct access to genuine Apple parts, tools, and manuals.”





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Google makes folding phones more affordable but I still wouldn’t buy one

CHANNEL TODAY BROADCASTING CORPORATION

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21 hours ago

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May 10, 2026

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Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is on sale. (Image: Google)

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Apple is rumoured to be debuting its first folding iPhone later this year, but Android phones have folded ever since the Galaxy Fold in 2019. Today, you can buy book-style and flip-style folding phones from Samsung, Honor, Oppo, Motorola and Google, with all of them sharing one thing in common: a sky high price.

That’s why it’s notable Google is currently offering £450 off its latest flagship folding phone, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which is on sale for £1,299 down from £1,749. It’s the same price on Amazon.

That’s a sizable discount, but it still leaves you needing to fork out the equivalent of a month’s rent or, indeed, nearly three times as much as the cost of the Pixel 10a, which is also on sale for a comparatively modest £449.

It got me thinking about folding phones and how despite being around for seven years, they haven’t got a lot cheaper, and at £1,299, I probably wouldn’t buy the Pixel 10 Pro Fold if I needed a new phone, even if I had the budget.

I would likely opt to spend the same amount on a phone with a much better camera, such as the £1,299 Xiaomi 17 Ultra, or £799 on the regular Pixel 10, a phone that actually has very similar triple cameras as the pricier 10 Pro Fold. Despite the ‘Pro’ name, the cameras you get on the Fold aren’t as good as the ones on the normal Pixel 10 Pro.

I’ve tested the Pixel 10 Pro Fold since its release in October 2025, and it’s a very accomplished device, don’t get me wrong. But the camera compromise along with the design drawbacks still make this phone a hard sell at its discounted rate.

For one, carrying the Pixel 10 Pro Fold around in my jeans pocket means I never forget to put a belt on. At 258g it’s a bit of a paperweight, and at 10.88 thick when closed, it’s chunky for a pocketable device.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold

Having a tablet in your pocket is undeniably useful. (Image: Google)

Much more svelte book-style foldables such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 (215g, 8.9mm) and Honor Magic V6 (219g, 8.8mm) prove the Pixel is lagging behind in 2026 when it comes to the ergonomics of a book-style folding phone.

The crease down the middle of the Pixel’s screen is also deep and obvious, and hard to ignore. Though it’s not available in the UK officially, the Oppo Find N6 has a virtually invisible crease, with a design that smooths out the screen so you don’t have a dip right in the middle.

One big thing that might sway me over to the 10 Pro Fold is the software. I love Google’s Pixel flavour of Android, and I miss it when I use other Android phones. For all Honor’s hardware prowess, its software is unpolished compared to Google’s, and though Samsung’s One UI is very slick, it’s currently stuffed with so much AI guff that I don’t want to use it.

Google’s software support is also great at seven years, which at least would guarantee I’d still be using the 10 Pro Fold till 2032 – if the folding screen didn’t break, that is.

Even at the sale price of £1,299, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold still makes too many compromises for me. That said, the rumoured folding iPhone is likely to push the £2,000 mark. We’ll have to wait and see if Apple is able to turn out a superior phone, and if Apple fanatics are willing to shell out.



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Watch out Samsung and LG, Sky just made its TVs look way more affordable

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Published

22 hours ago

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May 10, 2026

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Sky is offering a very cheap alternative to TVs from the likes of Samsung and LG. Sky Glass Gen 2 and Sky Glass Air were both launched last year and offer full access to live and on-demand content via a simple broadband connection. That means there’s no fussy installation or annoying dish needed to be drilled into walls. These connected screens were already pretty tempting, but things have just got even more enticing for homes wanting to make the switch.

Sky has just announced a 20 percent price cut ahead of the upcoming World Cup, with things now starting from just £4.50 per month. That low cost is for the Sky Glass Air telly which features a 4K HDR screen with Dolby Audio. Those wanting the improved Glass Gen 2 with a pixel-packed 4K Quantum Dot screen and in-built Dolby Atmos soundbar will need to pay £11 per month.

SEE THE DEALS BELOW

Sky Glass Air
NOW £4.50
CONTRACT: 48 months
UPFRONT FEE: £20
SEE THE DEAL HERE

Sky Glass Gen 2
NOW £4.50
CONTRACT: 48 months
UPFRONT FEE: £20
SEE THE DEAL HERE

Now, before you get too excited, there is one big caveat. Those low prices do not include any premium content to watch. That has to be added on separately via additional bundles. For example, you can add the Sky Essential TV pack from £15 a month, which includes over 100 channels as well as Netflix and Discovery+.

Then there’s the Sky Ultimate TV Pack, which includes Sky channels, HBO Max, Disney+, Netflix and Hayu (coming in July) for £24 a month.

Basically, the more you add, the more you’ll pay. As a quick guide, a home buying Sky Glass Air and adding the Sky Ultimate TV Pack, along with Cinema and Sports access, will find they get a monthly bill of around £60 per month.

Other things to note are that all of Sky’s TVs come in different screen sizes, including 43, 55 and 65-inch. They can also be purchased without a contract, with things now starting from just £237.

As we mentioned earlier, Sky Glass is powered by the internet, so some fairly decent speeds are required for the best experience. Express.co.uk recommends homes have at least 50Mbps available.

Want to know more? Read our full Sky Glass Gen 2 review here. We have also tested Sky Glass Air, and a full review is available here.

If this all sounds like a lot of money. Don’t forget that there is now a cheaper option for those who want to stream TV. Freely now comes baked into TVs and offers the ability to watch over 50 channels without needing a subscription. Currys and Argos are selling Freely-powered tellies for just £109.



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Press one button on your Wi-Fi router to get instant free broadband speed boost

CHANNEL TODAY BROADCASTING CORPORATION

Published

22 hours ago

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May 10, 2026

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It may sound ludicrously simple, but anyone suffering from dismal broadband speeds might want to press the power button on the rear of their Wi-Fi router. Yes, the old trick of switching things off and back on again can work wonders, and it only takes a matter of minutes. This latest tip comes via Virgin Media, who recently posted an update about Wi-Fi issues and broadband speeds.

“In most cases, you can make a few quick adjustments to improve the WiFi speed on your device,” the telecoms firm said.

“A quick reboot can clear temporary issues, refresh the connection, and help resolve slow speeds or dropouts.”

Routers can become clogged with digital data, and resetting these devices can ensure they are back up to full speed again. Think of it a bit like a phone or laptop, when these gadgets start playing up, most people restart them to try and fix any gremlins, and routers are no different.

Just remember that a full reboot can take up to 5 minutes, so make sure no one in the home is waiting to make a video call to the office or is in the middle of an important download.

Restarting the router isn’t the only option if you aren’t getting decent download speeds. Other top tips include moving closer to router when wanting the best speeds.

“Walls, furniture, and distance can weaken your WiFi signal,” Virgin explained.

“Sitting closer to the router often results in a faster and more stable connection.”

Other things to try include updating the WiFi drivers on your PC as outdated software can cause performance problems or connection issues. Virgin says it’s also a good idea to close unnecessary apps and background downloads.

Finally, disconnect unused devices such as phones, tablets and smart TVs that can be competing for bandwidth.

“These small tweaks take just a few minutes but can make a real difference to speed, reliability, and overall performance,” Virgin added.



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