Apple says iPhone 16 models are much easier to repair
Apple has significantly improved the repairability of its devices with the iPhone 16, and fixed many of the issues found in the iPhone 15.
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Apple has been working towards making its devices easier to repair for several years now and the iPhone 16 is their latest step in that direction. According to a report by Endgadget, last year’s iPhone 15 wasn’t very impressive in terms of repairability, getting only a 4/10 score from iFixit, but now Apple has made some major improvements with the iPhone 16.
One of the biggest complaints about the iPhone 15 was how difficult it was to remove the battery, but Apple has now introduced an all-new method for the iPhone 16. Instead of using tricky adhesive strips, Apple has created a way to run a low-voltage current through the battery, making it easier and safer to remove. This new system is meant to make repairs faster and less complicated, which is good news for those who like to fix their devices themselves.
Another improvement is with the Face ID sensor. Previously, only Apple technicians could replace it as it was tied to security features like unlocking your phone. Now, you can swap out Face ID hardware between phones without worrying about security risks. This means you no longer have to rely solely on Apple for certain repairs.
Apple has also introduced a new feature called Repair Assistant, which addresses the “parts pairing” problem. Previously, if you replaced a part like a LiDAR sensor, you had to contact Apple to make sure everything was working correctly. With Repair Assistant, you can now configure parts on your device, whether you’re using new or used Apple parts. This is a big step forward for independent repair shops and people who want to fix their devices at home.
Another new feature is on-device diagnostics, which is coming with iOS 18. Instead of needing a separate device to figure out which parts need to be replaced, the phone will tell you directly. Apple has also made changes so that third-party parts work better. If a third-party part can’t be calibrated online through Apple’s servers, the iPhone will still attempt to activate it and get it running at full capacity.
Overall, Apple has made some significant progress with the iPhone 16, especially in terms of making repairs easier and more accessible for everyday users. These changes could lead to better repairability scores from iFixit and make owning an iPhone less stressful if something goes wrong.