iPhone 13 Does anyone else think this might be the reason you can't repair your iPhone yourself or from third parties?

[Jayson A]

I was thinking about how locked down the iPhone 12 and 13 are in regards to repairs, like the camera not working, or Face ID not working, etc, and it dawned on me...

Maybe the reason is for security/liability?

Like, some third party can't install a malicious part into the iPhone that will spy on you or something, or sell you an inferior part so when your iPhone doesn't work correctly, you can't blame it on Apple and get a replacement iPhone.

I can just see someone putting a cheap part in their iPhone, and then when issues arise, blame Apple, and not the place that installed the aftermarket part.

It's probably more of a security/liability thing than anti-consumer. Apple probably realized that people were damaging their devices, then asking for a new one, or putting cheap parts in and also the security risk of having non-Apple parts in the device.

Thoughts?

 

[PeteBurgh]

Security is a factor in Apple not permitting the use of third party components, especially for things like the FaceID sensor. However, I don't think it's really the main issue. The lack of repairability is - for better or for worse - a choice to prioritise certain design elements (thin and light, the best possibility cameras, nice feeling materials like glass, dust/waterproofing, etc) over serviceability.

Although Apple does make some frustrating decisions about repairability, in broad strokes they aren't really outliers. With some variations, almost all modern smartphones make similar trade-offs.

 

[ericwn]

The truth is likely a mix of different factors. On the one hand service is a business that can bring in a profit if you do it right.
Then there is the liability part. Someone with a device previously fixed or broken by a third party technician might show up and Apple is reliable at the moment when they then service the device themselves.
Then there is the issue with cheap spare parts not being up to the same quality or maybe even dangerous - which ultimately can damage the brand.