PHONEDOCTOR GLOSSARY
iPhone-Specific Repair Terms
Apple uses its own terminology. Here’s what each term means for your repair.
SECURITY SYSTEM
Face ID
Apple’s 3D face recognition on iPhones from X onwards. Cryptographically paired to the logic board — damage to the TrueDepth camera array means permanent Face ID loss at third-party shops.
Read definition →DISPLAY FEATURE
True Tone
Adjusts screen colour temperature to match ambient lighting. After a screen repair, True Tone is only preserved if OEM Apple panels are used with proper software pairing — something PhoneDoctor supports.
Read definition →CHARGING CONNECTOR
Lightning Port
Apple’s proprietary connector used on iPhone 14 and earlier. Replaced by USB-C from iPhone 15 onwards. Lint impaction and bent pins are the most common failure causes.
Read definition →RESTORE STATE
DFU Mode
Device Firmware Update mode — the deepest restore state on an iPhone. Bypasses the bootloader entirely. Used when Recovery Mode fails and the phone is stuck in a boot loop.
Read definition →SECURITY FEATURE
Activation Lock
Tied to an Apple ID — prevents use of any iPhone without the original owner’s credentials. Cannot be bypassed at any third-party shop. Always verify before buying second-hand.
Read definition →DISPLAY FEATURE
ProMotion (120Hz)
Apple’s adaptive 1–120Hz refresh rate on iPhone 13 Pro and later. ProMotion panels cost more to replace — cheap replacement screens revert to 60Hz and lose the smooth scrolling entirely.
Read definition →SECURITY SYSTEM
Touch ID
Apple’s fingerprint sensor on iPhones up to iPhone SE (3rd gen). The Home button is paired to the logic board at the factory — a third-party replacement permanently disables Touch ID.
Read definition →CORE COMPONENT
Logic Board
Apple’s term for the iPhone’s main circuit board. Houses the A-series chip, RAM, and storage. Damage is the most expensive iPhone repair — often requiring chip-level micro-soldering.
Read definition →iPhone acting up?
PhoneDoctor repairs all iPhone models — iPhone 6 to iPhone 16 Pro Max. Screen from $80, battery from $60. 45-minute service.