iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus Feature Removable Back Glass for Easier Repairs

[MacRumors]

iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models are equipped with a removable back glass panel for easier repairs, according to TechCrunch and CNET. This makes these iPhone models the first that can be easily opened from the back side of the device since the iPhone 4S.

To replace the back glass on iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models, Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers need to open the device from the display side, disassemble components, and install an "iPhone Rear System" part, which is an iPhone enclosure with all components except the display and rear camera. This part gets affixed to the customer's original display and rear camera, so long as those parts are not damaged too.

For the iPhone 11 and older models with cracked back glass, Apple-authorized technicians simply replace the entire device. The new method for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus will be less expensive for Apple and more environmentally friendly.

Early teardowns of the iPhone 14 show that the device can still be opened from the display side as well, so screen repairs should not be impacted by this change. Reviews did not make any mention of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max having an easily removable back glass panel, suggesting that the change is limited to the standard models.

In the United States, Apple Stores will charge $169 and $199 to replace damaged back glass on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, respectively, for both parts and labor. If the customer has AppleCare+ coverage for the iPhone, the fee is reduced to $29 for both models. These fees may vary at Apple Authorized Service Providers.

iPhone 14 orders will begin arriving to customers this Friday, while the iPhone 14 Plus will be available starting October 7.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1570361247731961856

Article Link: iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus Feature Removable Back Glass for Easier Repairs

 

[sorgo †]

And the Pros? 😃

 

[Sebosz]

This isn't you, Tim!

 

[iZac]

A red one with a black (aftermarket) back panel would look pretty cool

 

[Crossmax]

So obviously the repair cost will be much, much lower, right?

(yeah, right)

 

[Gamewave]

This is interesting along with confusing. As someone that has repaired tens of thousands of iPhones, is it now like the 4/4s where you start from the back and take everything out to get to the front? Or can you take off the back and the front easily and leave the internals intact in the middle of the sandwich? Is this just on the standard and not the pro models? Strange if they only offered this on 2 of the 4.

I know they want to make reparability easier. Very interesting.

 

[thadoggfather]

So obviously the repair cost will be much, much lower, right?

(yeah, right)

yeah this is good for Apple not the consumer cost wise.

But knockoff parts will be commonplace and there will probably be some nice obvious third party custom designs to come from this!

I had an aluminum back on my iPhone 4 in the day, and I think a white plate before the all white OEM one became a thing.

 

[Sasparilla]

Nice, they've gradually been making things easier to fix (to keep their repair costs down), but we'll take them.

 

[Spock]

Anxious to see an actual teardown of these devices.

 

[ipedro]

And just like that, an aftermarket custom back glass cottage industry is sprouting up as we speak.

I'm skipping this year, but I'd leverage this to add my condo's access fob to the inside of the glass if it has 1mm to spare. I did this with my iPhone 4, and tapped my phone to get into my building, years before ApplePay or Wallet were a twinkle in Apple's eye.

 

[Graham Caracas]

As overall quality decreases, access to repair will increase proportionally.

 

[alpi123]

This is interesting along with confusing. As someone that has repaired tens of thousands of iPhones, is it now like the 4/4s where you start from the back and take everything out to get to the front? Or can you take off the back and the front easily and leave the internals intact in the middle of the sandwich? Is this just on the standard and not the pro models? Strange if they only offered this on 2 of the 4.

I know they want to make reparability easier. Very interesting.

You can still remove the display first. But now you have the option to remove the glass too. So they didn't compromise anything.

 

[NT1440]

How long until iFixit “complains” that there aren’t enough access screws?

 

[CWallace]

This isn't you, Tim!

One could argue it is Tim because it will likely make warranty repair costs cheaper due to not needing to replace as many components as compared to when everything is all glued together and has to be replaced en masse.

 

[Menel]

So obviously the repair cost will be much, much lower, right?

(yeah, right)

Yes, it will be less expensive/time... for Apple.

 

[MGGN]

This is pretty cool. I remember buying an aftermarket white rear glass for my black iPhone 4 (or maybe it was 4S?) They had announced white at launch but it was long delayed.

 

[polyphenol]

This makes these iPhone models the first that can be easily opened from the back side of the device since the iPhone 4S.

Great if you want to give your phone an enema.

 

[performa_6400]

This is probably why Apple only offered me a recycle option when trying to trade in my iPhone 12 Pro. Screen and buttons worked perfectly, but back glass had small cracks.

AT&T however is offering me a free upgrade to the iPhone 14 Pro.

 

[Populus]

ABOUT DAMN TIME

Still, at 170$, I find it a bit expensive.

 

[Danoc]

.

 

[Apleeseed84]

Does the glass come off with the MagSafe or is it separate? 🤔🤔. They are probably tired of all the 2 hour repairs per iPhone for a back glass probably 😀

 

[DarthDon]

And the Pros? 😃

a app will release the backdoor with gas pressure dampers 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

 

[aPple nErd]

Hmm, maybe I can get an actual black backplate for my pro. Sick of all these lighter shades of grey.

 

[TMRJIJ]

This is excellent news. Had so many customers try to avoid back glass repair because they didn't have recent backups for new Rear Systems or whole unit replacement

 

[notabadname]

Complaint for years: It needs to me more repairable and accessible!!!!

iPhone becomes more repairable a accessible.

Complaint: there’s an evil ulterior motive: they are only doing this to reduce warranty work, or, they are using inferior parts and know they will have to access more, or . . . . . . . . . Darn you Apple and Tim!!

It seems there is truly no reasonable way to satisfy the consumer