News

Personal Focus on iPhone explained: what it is, how it filters notifications, and how to turn it on or off in just a few simple steps. Read more...

If you’ve come across the term “haptics” on your iPhone, it’s not immediately obvious what it means. In simple terms, haptics are the small vibrations your iPhone makes in response to touch or actions on the screen. They’re designed to give you physical feedback, making your phone feel more responsive and intuitive to use. You’ll notice haptics in everyday interactions — like typing on the keyboard, switching settings, or receiving notifications. What Are Haptics on iPhone? Haptics on iPhone refer to tactile feedback delivered through subtle vibrations when you interact... Read more...

What does SOS mean on iPhone? Learn why it appears, what it means, and how to fix SOS or SOS Only so you can restore your signal quickly. Read more...

Every September, Apple releases a new iOS version alongside its latest iPhones, ushering in fresh features and performance boosts. For users, these updates aren’t just about convenience—they’re a key measure of how long an iPhone will remain secure and compatible. Once your iPhone stops receiving major iOS updates, it begins to fall behind on app features and security. But that doesn’t mean it immediately becomes obsolete. Most models continue to get minor patches and app support for at least another year or two after their final iOS version. So if... Read more...

Let’s face it: the newest smartphone pretty much does the same thing as last year’s, only slightly better. Yet despite the lack of major innovations, prices get higher every year. That’s why it’s not surprising that more Canadians are turning to used phones to get the same tech at a much more reasonable price. And used phones have other benefits: they’re better for the environment, there’s more variety to choose from, and you can easily switch carriers to get the best deal on a plan.  But buying used can be... Read more...

What are iOS upgrades and why do they matter? Every September, Apple rolls out a major update to the software that powers your iPhone. Each release comes with a new number — iOS 16, iOS 17, iOS 18, and most recently iOS 26 in September 2025.  These major releases contain new features designed to make your phone easier and more enjoyable to use. They also offer new functionality for app developers to make their apps more capable. On top of the cool new features, each new release brings key performance... Read more...

Apple just released iOS 26, the newest version of the software that powers your iPhone. But here’s the catch: if you’re using an older device, you might already be stuck on iOS 12 (or earlier). For 5S owners, iOS 16 was the last major update available—meaning lots of apps have now stopped working for you altogether. We maintain a database of more than 500 apps (and we’re adding new ones every day), from which we’ve compiled a clear, up-to-date list of the apps that are no longer compatible with iOS... Read more...

Every September Apple releases a major iOS update. This year, Apple released iOS 26, the newest version of the software that powers your iPhone.  But here’s the catch: if you’re still on an older device, you might be running iOS 13. In that case, we strongly recommend updating to iOS 15. Since every device that supports iOS 13 also supports iOS 15, upgrading will ensure access to more security updates and more apps. We maintain a database of more than 500 apps (and we’re adding new ones every day), from... Read more...

Every September Apple releases a major iOS update. This year, Apple released iOS 26, the newest version of the software that powers your iPhone.  But here’s the catch: if you’re still on an older device, you might be running iOS 14. In that case, we strongly recommend updating to iOS 15. Since every device that supports iOS 14 also supports iOS 15, upgrading will ensure access to more security updates and more apps. We maintain a database of more than 500 apps (and we’re adding new ones every day), from... Read more...

Apple just released iOS 26, the newest version of the software that powers your iPhone. But here’s the catch: if you’re using an older device, you might already be stuck on iOS 15 (or earlier). For iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone SE 1st Gen owners, iOS 15 was the last major update available—meaning some apps have now stopped working for you altogether. We maintain a database of more than 500 apps (and we’re adding new ones every day), from which we’ve compiled a... Read more...

Apple just released iOS 26, the newest version of the software that powers your iPhone. But here’s the catch: if you’re using an older device, you might be running on iOS 17 (if this is the case, we actually recommend updating your software to iOS 18 - in a rare move Apple made iOS 18 available to all iOS 17 compatible device).  We maintain a database of more than 500 apps (and we’re adding new ones every day), from which we’ve compiled a clear, up-to-date list of the apps that... Read more...

Apple just released iOS 26, the newest version of the software that powers your iPhone. But here’s the catch: if you’re using an older device, you might already be stuck on iOS 16 (or earlier). For iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X owners, iOS 16 was the last major update available—meaning some apps have now stopped working for you altogether. We maintain a database of more than 500 apps (and we’re adding new ones every day), from which we’ve compiled a clear, up-to-date list of the apps that... Read more...

Is it really worth it to buy the iPhone 14 in 2026? Today we’ll look carefully at the iPhone 14’s camera, battery, performance and longevity to help you decide if it’s worth buying.  Read more...

Wireless contracts lock customers in for a set term – but your life (hopefully) doesn’t revolve around when your contract expires. Maybe you’re moving out of the country, or just want to take advantage of a competing carrier’s offer – whatever your reason, sometimes you need to break your contract before the time is officially up. Since the CRTC’s Wireless Code came into effect in December 2013, the process to get out of your mobile contract has become more transparent, if not easier. As of June 2015, any and all cancellation fees –... Read more...

Every year or so, a flurry of articles come out with data showing that bad battery life is the #1 concern for smartphone owners. Looking through Orchard’s customer support data, we’re not surprised— about 1/4 of the questions we get from prospective buyers mention battery life as a concern when buying a used iPhone. These worries haven’t gone unheard by phone manufacturers, who have long been investing in ways to increase battery capacity or make charging more effortless. The big problem is that battery technology isn’t improving at the same... Read more...

  Thinking about purchasing an iPhone 8? Recently dropped your iPhone 8 in the… um, sink? In either of those cases, you may be wondering: is iPhone 8 waterproof?  This article will quickly and clearly cover everything you need to know about the iPhone 8’s waterproof rating. Is the iPhone 8 Waterproof or Water Resistant? First, let’s clarify the difference between the terms waterproof and water resistant. (For context as you’re reading these definitions, the iPhone 8 is water resistant, not waterproof.) “Waterproof” means that a device is 100% sealed off from liquid... Read more...

  Whether you’re thinking about buying an iPhone X or concerned about potential water damage on your current device, this article will quickly answer the question: is iPhone X waterproof?   If you’re in a rush, here’s a super quick answer for you: the iPhone X is resistant to water but not completely waterproof. So, if you get a splash of water on your iPhone X it should be okay — but we wouldn’t recommend going swimming with your iPhone X!  Read on for more specific details and practical tips on how to prevent... Read more...

  It’s no secret that Canadians pay amongst the highest phone-plan rates anywhere in the developed world. A government report found that the average Canadian paid $45 per month for wireless service in 2023. Filter out all the noise and it boils down to two arguments, one from the carriers, and one from, well, everyone else: Carriers: “Canada has a large and geographically dispersed population base, therefore, the cost of building the network infrastructure is prohibitive, and Canadians must pay more” Everyone else: “With 4 national wireless carriers, there isn’t enough... Read more...

The release of the iPhone 6 (and 6 Plus) was a big moment in Apple’s conquest of the high-end smartphone market. Released in September 2014, these phones were Apple’s response to repeated calls for larger screens, which at the time were only available on Android phones. The iPhone 6 came with a 4.7” retina display (5.5” on the 6 Plus), which was a big jump over the 4” screen on the iPhone 5S. In the first 3 months, Apple sold 74 million devices, more than 40% more than the iPhone 5S! That’s enough to... Read more...

You have probably heard plenty of horror stories about Craigslist and Kijiji. They all seem to be variations on a theme: wade through a tonne of listings, feel generally overwhelmed by the amount of repetition and diversity, and, after a series of missed connections, finally meet your buyer or seller at a mutually inconvenient subway station. To parrot the old infomercial adage: there has got to be a better way. At Orchard, we are on a mission to improve your experience buying and selling iPhones. We are that better way. If you’ve... Read more...