Apple Says These Five Changes Make iPhone 16 Models Easier to Repair

[MacRumors]

Apple has informed publications including Tom's Guide and Engadget about some repair-friendly design and policy changes pertaining to the iPhone 16 series.

In addition to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus having an easier electrically-induced battery removal process, Apple outlined the following changes:

• On-device configuration is now available for Face ID's TrueDepth camera on the iPhone 12 series and newer, eliminating the need to use a Mac
• TrueDepth camera can be swapped between any iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models
• Apple can now repair the LiDAR Scanner on iPhone 16 Pro models while servicing the rear camera module
• iPhone 16 Pro models have internal design changes that provide "simplified access" to unspecified components

All four iPhone 16 models launch on Friday, and teardowns should surface shortly afterwards for a closer look inside of the devices.

Article Link: Apple Says These Five Changes Make iPhone 16 Models Easier to Repair

 

[max2]

Really cool and nice of Apple!

 

[adrianjagielak]

Does it mean that any 12 or newer with swapped non-working Face ID camera now has a chance to finally work?

 

[vertsix]

 

[nathan_reilly]

Does it mean that any 12 or newer with swapped non-working Face ID camera now has a chance to finally work?

its in the title though??

 

[CalMin]

Anything that improves repairability is a thumbs up in my book.

I have a cracked screen iPad Pro from 2018 which works fully but is uneconomical to repair. Apple trade in sees it as e-waste which is too bad because it has years of life in it.

 

[timborama]

Really cool and nice of Apple!

Ya Apple did those things because they’re “nice and cool”. LOL

 

[lanomds1]

And yet they charge more to replace the battery.

 

[kiranmk2]

And yet they charge more to replace the battery.

Came here to say the same thing!

 

[HJM.NL]

Really cool and nice of Apple!

Thank the EU for demanding repair ability. Also it’s better for the environment something Apple likes to propagate 😎

 

[HJM.NL]

And yet they charge more to replace the battery.

It’s Apple, when Timmy sees the smallest possibility to increase price, he’ll use it 🤑

 

[HJM.NL]

Ya Apple did those things because they’re “nice and cool”. LOL

🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑

 

[HJM.NL]

Anything that improves repairability is a thumbs up in my book.

I have a cracked screen iPad Pro from 2018 which works fully but is uneconomical to repair. Apple trade in sees it as e-waste which is too bad because it has years of life in it.

And somehow Apple manages to convince people they have environmental issues high on their agenda. Why is all their hardware glued/soldered so it’s no easy task to repair? Apple Watch screen broken, it almost cost the amount of a new watch. Same for the iPad.

Come on Apple… put where your mouth is or stop vending you care that much for the environment. Typical case of greenwashing.

 

[lkrupp]

Does it mean that any 12 or newer with swapped non-working Face ID camera now has a chance to finally work?

No. As mentioned, only iPhone 16s can swap the camera.

 

[mrsebsin]

Pardon my skepticism, but there is no way Apple did this out of altruism. It either benefits them in some way or they were or will be forced to do this legally anyway.

 

[Jumpthesnark]

And yet they charge more to replace the battery.

And yet it's a different battery - which means production required a new factory line, R&D, engineering, etc. So apples and oranges.

 

[Razorpit]

And yet they charge more to replace the battery.

Well, when you pay someone $20 to flip burgers at McDonald‘s, you’re going to have to pay people who do this technical work more. Now add global inflation on materials, and there you have it.

 

[BelgianChoklit]

And yet they charge more to replace the battery.

They need cash to fill the hole project TITAN-ic caused

 

[sw1tcher]

And yet they charge more to replace the battery.

Most people won't need to have an iPhone 16 battery replaced until after 2 or 3 years if not longer. Apple raised the price for 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max batteries to account for inflation and higher wages down the line.

 

[HJM.NL]

Well, when you pay someone $20 to flip burgers at McDonald‘s, you’re going to have to pay people who do this technical work more. Now add global inflation on materials, and there you have it.

Batteries 🪫 got cheaper. Look at the cost of batteries for EV’s. But I understand that Apple charges for inflation. When inflation goes up by 1% it gives Timmy the chance to charge 10% 😎

 

[cjsuk]

Batteries 🪫 got cheaper. Look at the cost of batteries for EV’s. But I understand that Apple charges for inflation. When inflation goes up by 1% it gives Timmy the chance to charge 10% 😎

The battery isn't the expensive bit. It's the:

1. Supply chain
2. Managing stock in stores
3. Distribution and maintenance of equipment required to change the battery.
4. Staff training
5. Staff salaries on site

It really annoys me that a friend of mine pays £1500 for their Mercedes to be serviced regularly at a dealer which seems to require absolutely no parts at all yet complains that apple are screwing them because their iPhone 12 finally needs a battery.

 

[sw1tcher]

Well, when you pay someone $20 to flip burgers at McDonald‘s, you’re going to have to pay people who do this technical work more.

Not every fast food worker across the U.S. is getting paid $20

Now add global inflation on materials, and there you have it.

Lithium and lithium-ion battery prices are down across the board.

Lithium Prices in Free Fall: Implications for Clean Energy Transition in the Private Sector

www.bradley.com

In the past year, the global lithium market has been characterized by a significant shift in dynamics, with prices falling precipitously. Despite spot prices reaching over $80,000 per ton in December 2022, they sit at just over $13,000 per ton as of Jan. 30, a decline of over 80%. Oversupply and softening demand leading to falling prices for the critical mineral raise concerns about the potential impact on various industries, particularly those reliant on lithium-ion batteries, such as electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy storage, and consumer electronics.


Lithium prices are now around $10,000 per ton

Lithium - Price - Chart - Historical Data - News

Lithium decreased 17,450 CNY/T or 18.08% since the beginning of 2024, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Lithium - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on November of 2024.

tradingeconomics.com

Lithium carbonate prices steadied near the CNY 72,500 per tonne mark in September, the lowest in over three years, due to persistent concerns about an oversupplied market. Lithium miners and producers in China continued to expand capacity and hunt for new reserves, with market players expecting global supply to soar by nearly 50% this year. This magnified the current supply surplus amid the fallout of the battery glut due to government subsidies for firms across the supply chain

Battery price per kwh 2023 | Statista

The cost of lithium-ion batteries per kWh decreased by 14 percent between 2022 and 2023. Lithium-ion battery price was about 139 U.S. dollars per kWh in 2023.

www.statista.com

 

[HJM.NL]

The battery isn't the expensive bit. It's the:

1. Supply chain
2. Managing stock in stores
3. Distribution and maintenance of equipment required to change the battery.
4. Staff training
5. Staff salaries on site

It really annoys me that a friend of mine pays £1500 for their Mercedes to be serviced regularly at a dealer which seems to require absolutely no parts at all yet complains that apple are screwing them because their iPhone 12 finally needs a battery.

So my guess is that comparing to other brands, Mercedes is overcharging compared for same services at others. It’s the same for Apple.

 

[Razorpit]

Not every fast food worker across the U.S. is getting paid $20


Lithium and lithium-ion battery prices are down across the board.

No, but Apple has one rate in the U.S. for battery replacement. Unfortunately the labor that is a component in that rate is based on the most expensive rates in the country. Apple is going to protect their bottom line. They are not a charity.

@cjsuk gave an excellent breakdown of the other cost considerations. And even that is at a very high level. There are floor space considerations, disposal/recycle costs, etc.

 

[citysnaps]

The battery isn't the expensive bit. It's the:

1. Supply chain
2. Managing stock in stores
3. Distribution and maintenance of equipment required to change the battery.
4. Staff training
5. Staff salaries on site

Spot-on...

I'd also add the huge overhead costs Apple endures. Apparently many here believe Apple employees should not be entitled to yearly salary and benefit increases.

Or that the costs for managing 160,000+ employees, with loads of buildings (many leased at rates that increase over time), maintenance, insurance, and all sorts of supporting costs that don't stay static from year to year.