I'm new to fixing iPhones. It's amazingly simple, fun and money saving

I've had my iPhone 4 since it was released and never felt compelled to upgrade even though I'm a fanboi and have been using Macs for eons. (Maybe that's not a good thing or sign). The only phone I bought was when SJ was around.

In the past year or so my phone has become slow due to newer intensive apps and my battery got so spent I literally had to keep the cable plugged in about 20/7. Eventually the battery wouldn't charge and I wanted to retrieve some data so I decided to watch a couple of youtube vids and swap my battery just for the hell of it. I bought the same battery on amazon for $8 and the pentalobe and Phillips 00 screwdrivers and went to town.

I discovered that the new battery, obviously pulled from a toasted iPhone, was already half charged so it booted up and my iPhone was resurrected. I don't think many people realise how awesome a new battery is. My phone was on half for a couple of days. Quite amazing.

As I'm using my reborn iPhone I realise that I'm not hearing the charging sound when I connect the charger and I'm like oh snap, it was never the battery, it was the dock connector! Well the battery needed changing badly but it wasn't the reason for my dead phone. So I ordered the dock connector for $5 and performed surgery again. Bingo.

So now I have a newly refurbished iPhone 4 that I can use until Sept when the iPhone 6 comes out.

I was surprised by how easily it was to repair an iPhone. I think as long as it stays this accessible there's no need to have a removable battery as long as it's for the sake of design and not an intentional $ grab.

Considering my iPhone is pretty much the same as new and I've had it for 4 years abusing it and using it 20/7 the build quality is excellent. Dropped countless times without a case and hardly any scratches. I had one bad drop and the top right corner of the LCD? turned black so I can't see the battery indicator.

I'll purchase a new display and replace that too.

Anyway, I know many of you are pros. I just thought it was cool to try out repairing my iPhone myself instead of paying Apple or someone else much more or being forced to upgrade. Or at least be able to hold out until the iPhone 6.

I can't imagine how fast and large the iPhone 6 is going to be compared to my iPhone 4.

I will say that after being forced to use my iPad for weeks coming back to the iPhone was brutal. Waaaay too small. If the iPhone 6 isn't 5" I'll seriously be looking at another phone or iPad Mini. I could function with just an iPad mini because with all the wifi around I haven't needed a cellular capable device.

Charadis said:

I think it's about the same. Here's a phone I'm currently working with, below, and I already have access to the battery after removing the screen.

OP, good job. I think you'll find it a very rewarding experience. Sent from my iPhone 5.

Click to expand...

thanks.

So access is the same just front instead of back right? Any other differences?

Btw, do you need to be an "authorised" repair shop to be able to order parts cheap enough to make a profit? Can anyone order parts from Apple? Better off on eBay buying quantity?

And I just created another thread but do iPads use the same repair tools? Pentalobe, Phillips 00, flat head etc?

Are you a hobbyist or is repair your gig?

Do people ever repair JUST the digitizer or is it just as cost effective to replace glass and cover at same time?