No we cannot fix dropped, water damaged or broken devices. We recommend seeking your manufacturers process for fixing such devices. If it's under warranty, approach the place you bought it from for help. Some 3rd party support services exist in Wellington such as Service Plus and OOBE (Apple Authorised Repairers).

For smart phones checkout FoneBits, Device Repair Guy or CellCity. Unfortunately we are unsure who the authorised repairers are in Kapiti (if any) but please check with us as this is regularly changing. 

Everyone has their own opinion on what's best however we personally think there's a lot of value outside Samsung vs Apple which is the two major players in New Zealand. 

Take the OPPO Find X7 Pro for example - a much better phone than the Samsung S25 but we rarely see clients using this. Further for tablets, there's many other reputable brands that perform just as well as iPhone and Samsung Galaxy tab such as Lenovo, Amazon etc.

Personally for tablets we like the iPad!

There are several ways to improve your phone’s performance:

Restart your device: A simple reboot can free up memory and close background processes.

Clear cache and temporary files: Go to Settings > Storage and clear cached data for apps.

Uninstall unused apps: Too many apps can slow down performance. Remove any that you no longer need.

Check for software updates: Updates often contain performance improvements and bug fixes along with security patches critical for your security. Go to Settings > Software Update.

Reduce animations: On Android, enable Developer Options and reduce animation scales. On iPhones, go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion > Reduce Motion.

Get an IT tech to have a look: Kapiti IT team can help you to identify the root cause of the slowness. It could be a lack of hard drive space, not enough RAM, a problematic app or something else. 

Factory reset (if needed): If none of the above work, a factory reset (after backing up your data) can restore performance.

Unfortunately batteries drain the more they are charged and similar to an electric vehicle will need to be replaced or upgraded (i.e. buying a new phone). For example it's well known that most manufacturers recommend the average lifespan of a device is 1000 charges. So after you charge your phone 1000 times, it's likely to quickly drain and require a lot more charging - even twice a day, the only option is to buy a new battery which can be difficult and expensive to install so most people usually put that money towards a new device. 

From a device perspective, follow these steps to extend battery life:

Reduce screen brightness and timeout: Lower brightness or enable auto-brightness. Set the screen timeout to a shorter duration.

Close background apps: Check battery usage in Settings and close apps using too much power. Some apps can use considerable power such as having 50 Chrome tabs open. Close these and only use 1 or 2 at a time. 

Disable background processes: On Android, go to Settings > Battery > Background Usage Limits. On iOS, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.

Turn off unnecessary features: Disable Bluetooth, location services, and 5G when not needed. GPS is definitely a major drain and is normally on by default on iPhones and less convenient to turn on and off vs Android.

Check for rogue apps: A faulty app can drain the battery. Uninstall recent apps to see if battery life improves.

Update software: Updates often include battery optimisations.

If you’ve forgotten your passcode, you’ll need to reset the device:

For iPhones:

1. Put the phone into recovery mode by pressing and holding the power button and the volume down button (for iPhones with Face ID) or the Home button (for older models).
2. Connect it to a computer with iTunes or Finder.
3. Select "Restore" to erase the device and reset the passcode.
4. Restore from a backup if available.

For Android phones:

1. If Google’s Find My Device is enabled, visit Google Find My Device, select the device, and choose "Erase Device."
2. Some brands have their own recovery methods, like Samsung’s Find My Mobile.

If your device has been exposed to water, follow these steps immediately to increase the chances of recovery:

1. Turn it off immediately – Do not attempt to use the device, as powering it on can cause a short circuit.
2. Remove accessories – Take out the SIM card, memory card, and any connected accessories.
3. Dry the exterior – Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe off any visible water.
4. Avoid shaking or blowing into ports – This can push water deeper into the device.
5. Do not use heat sources – Avoid using a hairdryer, oven, or radiator, as excessive heat can damage internal components. Allow device to air dry. 
6. Use silica gel or dry rice (as a last resort - some techs recommend not to do this) – Place the device in a sealed container with silica gel packets (better than rice) for at least 24-48 hours to absorb moisture.
7. Wait before turning it on – After drying for at least 48 hours, try turning it on. If it doesn’t work, the internal components may have been damaged.
8. Seek the services of a mobile or tablet repair company. 

Important Note: Water damage is often irreversible, and corrosion can set in over time. If the device doesn’t power on or behaves abnormally, professional repair or replacement may be necessary. Since we don’t handle physical damage, we recommend contacting a specialised repair service.

Phones can overheat due to excessive use, background processes, or environmental factors. Try the following:

1. Close unnecessary apps: Apps running in the background can generate heat.
2. Remove the case: Some cases trap heat, making the phone hotter.
3. Avoid direct sunlight: Heat from the sun can quickly overheat the device. This can happen if you're using your phone in a car hands-free cradle on the windscreen - effectively in direct sunlight and likely also powered by the USB port in your car, temperatures can reach 50-60 degrees easily. Place in the shade instead.
4. Disable high-performance features: Turn off 5G, GPS, mobile data, and high refresh rate screens when not needed.
5. Check for rogue apps: Some apps may be consuming too much processing power. Uninstall recent apps to see if the issue resolves.