The right-to-repair movement has been gaining remarkable momentum, prompting certain companies to take significant strides in ensuring enhanced repairability of their products. Among these companies, Apple stands out, as it introduced the Self Service Repair program last year.
With the iPhone 14, Apple made commendable improvements to enhance its overall repairability. The company facilitated easier disassembly and allowed for a much simpler replacement of the back glass. According to Mark Gurman, who shared his insights in the Power On newsletter, Apple is set to extend this approach to the iPhone 15 Pro, where redesigned internals will further support repairability.
Apple’s endeavors to make the iPhone 15 Pro more repairable encompass a complete revamp of its cheaper iPhone 14’s design. Interestingly, there was no mention of the Pro models receiving similar changes last year. However, this year brings a pleasant surprise, as Apple plans to apply these positive alterations across its entire lineup of top-tier iPhones.
When the iPhone 15 hits the market in September, consumers can expect a redesigned iPhone 15 Pro that prioritizes repairability. Gurman elaborated on this, stating, “The inside of the iPhone 15 Pro is redesigned to match the revamped aluminum chassis from the regular iPhone 14 (iFixit has a rundown of the changes). That overhaul makes the phone easier to repair.”
iFixit, a well-known source for teardowns and repairs, has already highlighted the modifications in the iPhone 14’s frame. This included a three-layer design, which significantly improved access during repair procedures.
iFixit referred to this setup as a beautiful butterfly, with “a midframe in the middle, accessible screen on the left, and removable rear glass on the right.” Apple’s ground-up redesign of the iPhone 14 not only boosted repairability but also enhanced the phone’s resistance to external elements.
These improvements will be carried over to the frame of the iPhone 15 Pro, without any noticeable changes on the exterior.
The engineering behind this upgrade has been seamless, ensuring that users will still enjoy the same sleek and stylish design. Nevertheless, it’s reassuring to know that the upcoming iPhone models will boast better repairability across the board.