In April 2025, I bought my last iPhone, a 16 Pro. As a convinced iOS user since 2010 (yes, that doesn’t make me any younger…), the idea of leaving Apple had never really crossed my mind. I had occasionally used Android for work or troubleshooting, but I had never paid much attention to its evolution. After all, iOS suited me perfectly.

First signs of trouble

Everything changed in February-March 2026. My iPhone started exhibiting strange behavior: the cellular network would disappear and reappear randomly. Sometimes the carrier network would work, then cut out for a few seconds before returning (see the photo).

At first, I didn’t pay much attention, thinking it was a coincidence or isolated incidents. But the problems became more and more obvious, and the outages more frequent.

The quest for solutions: carriers, warranty, and disillusionment

At the time, I was with the carrier Galaxus (which uses the Sunrise network). So, I contacted them to see if the issue was on their end. Their response? Sunrise was indeed experiencing some disruptions, but they couldn’t tell me when they would be resolved.

Without waiting too long, I switched to Lyca (Salt network), thinking I had found the solution. But barely fifteen minutes after the switch, my phone started acting up again. I admit I was pretty annoyed to have changed carriers for nothing… although, at least, I saved a few francs per month.

Hardware and software tests

Given my profession (I do work in IT, after all), I decided to run a hardware test to check for any issues. I launched a Self Service Repair (diagnostic mode), but all tests passed without detecting any problems. I also updated iOS, reset the network settings, and the carrier settings. Nothing changed.

Warranty: An obstacle course

The phone was less than two years old, so the minimum legal warranty still applied. But warranty also meant I wouldn’t have a phone for a while. To "survive" this period (yes, it’s complicated to go without a phone, especially with ubiquitous 2FA), I went to digitec.ch and bought a low-end, cheap but functional smartphone: a Telekom T Phone 3 (running Android), which I received the next day.

Since the iPhone had been purchased from Digitec, I opened a case with them, scheduled a Post pick-at-home service, did a final iCloud backup, and erased the device. Two days later, I received an email confirming that Digitec had received the phone. The next day, the Post informed me that a package was waiting for me to sign for.

At that moment, I thought the story was taking a turn for the better, and that I would receive a new phone, or at least have it repaired. Not at all! Upon reading the paper accompanying the package, I discovered that no defect had been detected, and that I needed to reset the device without restoring the iCloud backup. I tried the operation… but the problem persisted.

The ordeal continues

The phone was still under Apple warranty. So, I went to Art Computer for a test and left my phone with them. In less than two hours, I received an email informing me that I could come pick up my phone… and that nothing had been detected. The seller advised me to reset the device or contact my carrier. I explained that I had already done all of that, but he just shrugged. So, I left with my defective phone. And guess what? As soon as I stepped out of the store, the network started acting up again.

I decided to send the device back to Digitec a second time, hoping they would finally understand that I wasn’t making things up. After all, I just wanted to use the warranty, and I was within my rights.

A few days later, the phone was returned by mail, with the same conclusion: the iPhone passed all tests, and I shouldn’t restore the iCloud backup. Worse, they added that this problem could occur with certain applications… even though I had completely erased the phone, without restoring the backup, and without installing any apps.

Last resort: Apple

Finally, I called Apple directly. Very professional, they performed all possible remote tests (I had even placed my SIM card in another phone to contact them). Result: after an hour of various tests and remote access to my iPhone, nothing was detected. They then scheduled an appointment for me at the nearest official Apple reseller, which turned out to be… Art Computer.

So, I went back there once again, and this time, I didn’t mince my words, and I didn’t let it go. I made it clear that I wouldn’t leave with that phone and that I didn’t want it anymore. Luckily, the problem was reproduced in front of the saleswoman, who handed my device to the technician. After several tests, he finally noticed the malfunction!

The turning point: Toward /e/OS and the Fairphone 6

Long story short: a motherboard replacement was scheduled for my iPhone. In the meantime, I took the plunge and opted for a Fairphone 6 with /e/OS (a "de-Googled" Android). Apple isn’t going to go bankrupt over this, that’s for sure, but they’ve lost a customer. On my end, I’ve freed myself from their closed ecosystem… and from an American company, whether in terms of hardware, software, or cloud.

This whole ordeal lasted nearly two months, and the iPhone was sold. Frankly, I’m relieved it’s over, as it was both draining and time-consuming…

Epilogue

For your information, a new article will be published soon to share my full review of the Fairphone 6 with /e/OS. So, stay tuned!