iPhone 16 Earns Highest Repairability Score Yet
- iFixit just gave the iPhone 16 the highest repairability score Apple’s ever seen.
- A new battery design and easier adhesive removal make repairs way safer and faster.
- Opening the iPhone 16 from the front and back? Yep, that’s a thing now.
- Apple’s Repair Assistant just leveled up—perfect for anyone fixing their own phone.
The iPhone 16 series has been lauded for its groundbreaking changes in repairability. In a detailed teardown, iFixit, a popular repair site, awarded the new iPhone lineup the highest repairability score in Apple’s history, citing three major design changes. This provisional score represents a significant improvement over past models, particularly due to Apple’s redesigned battery and enhanced internal accessibility.
Here’s a breakdown of the key improvements:
1. Reinforced Battery Casing
The iPhone 16’s battery is now encased in hard steel, a departure from the traditional soft pouch design seen in earlier models. This update has drastically reduced the risk of puncturing the battery during repairs, a common concern in previous iPhones. According to iFixit:
Hard cell batteries won’t get accidentally punctured by a slip of a screwdriver, making them much less likely to catch fire.— iFixit
This is a massive safety improvement for repair professionals and DIYers alike.
Photo via iFixit // iFixit's teardown reveals the inner workings of Apple’s iPhone 16.
2. New Adhesive Technology
Apple has introduced an innovative adhesive for securing the battery, which can be removed more easily by applying a small electrical current. The adhesive’s "debonding" process is triggered by running current through two leads, simplifying battery replacement. In its blog, iFixit highlighted this as a significant leap, stating:
The debonding process now takes around 90 seconds using a standard 9v battery.— iFixit
This not only reduces the risk of damaging surrounding components but also speeds up the entire repair process.
3. Dual-Sided Access for Easier Repairs
The iPhone 16 Pro models can now be opened from both the front and back, a feature first seen on the iPhone 14 base model. This change significantly improves the accessibility of internal components, allowing technicians to target specific repairs without the risk of damaging the screen. The flexibility to approach repairs from either side means faster repairs and fewer replacement parts. iFixit has dubbed these updates “big leaps for repairkind.”
Photo via iFixit // The iPhone 16’s reinforced battery casing is a game changer for repair safety.
Repair Assistant: A Game Changer
A standout feature in iOS 18 is Apple’s Repair Assistant, designed to calibrate and verify both new and harvested OEM parts. Initially tested on the iPhone 15, the feature worked impressively well on the iPhone 16, according to iFixit’s testing:
It worked impressively smoothly on our vanilla iPhone 16: one click to pair and calibrate all components at once, and no bugs to be found.— iFixit
This is a step forward for DIY repair enthusiasts and authorized repair providers alike, streamlining the repair process and ensuring accurate part pairing.
However, Repair Assistant may face limitations when it comes to third-party components. The software has yet to demonstrate full compatibility with non-Apple parts, which could pose challenges for users attempting to repair their devices with non-OEM components. Additionally, iFixit warned that Repair Assistant may become a nuisance for buyers of secondhand iPhones unaware of prior repairs, particularly if third-party parts were used.
iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 15: Repairability Scores
iFixit upgraded the iPhone 16’s repairability score to an impressive 7 out of 10, a marked improvement over the iPhone 15’s score of 4 out of 10.
These improvements highlight Apple’s commitment to making its devices more repairable, a move that aligns with growing pressure from consumers and regulators to extend the lifespan of consumer electronics.
Final Thoughts
As smartphones become more expensive and central to daily life, the ability to repair devices easily is crucial for both consumers and the environment. The iPhone 16’s changes will likely reduce repair costs and extend the overall life of the devices.
With repairability now more important than ever, Apple’s recent design decisions show the company is paying attention to a growing trend towards user-accessible repairs. While the new features won’t necessarily make headlines in mainstream tech coverage, they are a massive win for users who want to keep their devices running longer without shelling out for costly replacements.
As iFixit’s teardown concludes:
These changes make the iPhone 16 the most repair-friendly Apple device we've ever tested.— iFixit
This will likely bring relief to many iPhone owners, knowing they can get their devices fixed more easily if something goes wrong. The iPhone 16 series, while visually similar to its predecessor, proves that innovation still happens under the surface.
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Thank you for visiting Apple Scoop! As a dedicated independent news organization, we strive to deliver the latest updates and in-depth journalism on everything Apple. Have insights or thoughts to share? Drop a comment below—our team actively engages with and responds to our community. Return to the home page.Published to Apple Scoop on 23rd September, 2024.
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