The new iPhone 16 just got best repairability score everthanks to a series of innovations that make it easier to access internal components. According to the famous repair site iFixitthe new line of Apple smartphones introduces significant changes that make repairs easier and increase safety during interventions.
The three key innovations
The repairability score, provisional pending the official release of replacement parts by Apple, was assigned based on three main changes identified during the teardown of the device. One of these concerns the new hard case for the battery of the Pro model. The rumors were well-founded: Apple has really replaced the traditional “pouch” batteries with rigid steel batteries, which drastically reduce the risk of accidental puncture and consequent fires.
This type of battery is not only more durable, but it also makes repairs safer. As iFixit reports: “Rigid batteries are less likely to puncture, reducing the risk of damage during repairs.”
New battery sticker
The second innovation concerns a new type of sticker used to secure the battery inside the device. This adhesive – present only on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus – can be easily “melted” by passing a small electrical current through it, making it much easier to remove the battery. The process can be done by connecting two wires to a simple 9-volt battery, as illustrated in Apple’s repair manual for authorized repairers.
Front and rear access for repairs
Finally, Apple has extended the possibility of disassemble the iPhone from both the front and backmaking it easier to access components for repair. This feature was first introduced with the base iPhone 14, but has now been extended to the iPhone 16 Pro models. This change makes repairs easier and reduces the risk of accidental damage during disassembly.
The iFixit teardown also revealed a few surprises about the new Camera Control Activator of the iPhone 16, a feature about which there is still little official information.
A big step forward for repairs
iFixit called these changes “a major leap forward for the repair world,” allowing for a more standardized and replicable process. The adoption of hard batteries and electrically deactivatable adhesives represents a huge advance in ease and safety of repair.
Another new development that has received praise is Apple’s new program called “Repair Assistant”This feature, included in iOS 18, allows technicians (both professionals and amateurs) to properly calibrate and pair original components when repairing an Apple device.
According to iFixit, when they tested Repair Assistant with the iPhone 15 series, there were still some minor issues. However, with the iPhone 16, everything seems to work smoothly and without a hitch, with a simple click pairing and calibrating all the components. Note that this feature may not be fully compatible with compliant third-party parts, which could be a problem for those who purchase used iPhones without knowledge of previous repairs or the use of non-original parts.
With these new findings, iFixit has updated the iPhone 16’s repairability score to 7 are 10a clear improvement over the 4 are 10 dell’iPhone 15.
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Source: www.iphoneitalia.com
