14 DAY TRIAL // Apple customers whose iPhones require lengthier repairs performed by Authorized Service Providers are typically provided with a loaner device, so they’re not left without a smartphone until their unit is back up and running.
Until now, Apple’s loaner device was the old-school iPhone 8, though it goes without saying, not everybody was very pleased with this choice.
So for example, if you had to repair your iPhone 12 at the Apple Store, you were provided with an iPhone 8 while your smartphone was being serviced. Of course, this means you lost not only the larger screen, but also features like Face ID and the better camera.
Apple knows the iPhone 8 was kind of old to offer as a loaner device, so the company has recently updated this program to provide customers with an iPhone XR.
An internal memo obtained by MacRumors reveals that the iPhone XR will replace the iPhone 8 at all Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers in the United States and other regions.
The iPhone XR
While the iPhone XR itself is a rather old device, people familiar with the matter previously suggested this model could be used to create a new-generation iPhone SE.
This made perfect sense, especially if Apple wanted to switch to a larger form factor that would bring Face ID to the iPhone SE.
But more recent reports on the matter indicated the Cupertino-based tech giant could actually stick with the iPhone 8 design for the next-generation iPhone SE, which means there’s a chance Touch ID would stick around for a little longer. And as a result, the smallest iPhone in Apple’s lineup still wouldn’t get Face ID, which is nothing but bad news for those who planned to get the latest-generation hardware at a lower price point.