Over the years, Apple has done a lot to make iPhones easier to repair. Recently, the giant launched a new ‘Repair Assistant’ tool with iOS 18 that allows iPhone users to configure replacement parts after a repair. Also, Apple introduced some major repairability improvements in the new iPhones. The iPhone 16 had a huge internal redesign with a highly repairable battery and improved thermal management. One of the most impressive things is the new battery removal process for the base iPhone 16. Apple has ditched the usual pull tabs in favor of an adhesive that debonds in response to a low electrical current. As per Apple’s iPhone 16 battery replacement guide, it only takes about 1 minute and 30 seconds to remove the iPhone 16 battery.
A teardown by iFixit shows the iPhone 16 battery removal process in action, and it surely looks easier and safer than ever. The repair site iFixit has given the iPhone 16, a 7/10 on iFixit’s repairability scale, which is the highest repairability score for any iPhone. This is because the three key changes in the iPhone 16 design and innards make it easier to access the internal components. As a result, the iPhone 16 becomes the most repairable iPhone ever.
Three Factors Earned Apple a Repairability Win with iPhone 16
Adhesives in iPhone 16 & 16 Plus battery
In the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, the battery is secured by an adhesive that can debond when you pass an electrical current through it. Therefore, you no longer have to rely on those brittle and finicky adhesive strips.
Apple’s iPhone 16 repair guide states that debonding can be done in about 90 seconds using two leads from a 9v battery. Whereas, iFixit used a 12v battery, and they were able to debond the battery in 60 seconds. The complete iFixit teardown also revealed that the lower speaker and Taptic Engine are easily removable after removing the back glass. Also, once you remove all the screws holding the USB-C ribbon cable, it’s easy to peel off the USB-C port from the frame.
Hard Steel Case on iPhone 16 Pro Battery
Before the iPhone 16 launch, there were strong rumors that Apple would encase the iPhone 16 Pro battery in a hard steel case, and they have turned out to be true. The iPhone 16 Pro battery has a hard steel case rather than a soft pouch, which won’t get accidentally punctured by a slip of a screwdriver. Hence, they are less likely to catch fire which reduces the risk of battery damage and makes the battery removal process safer. It’s worth knowing that there are no battery improvements on the flagship iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Ability to Disassemble iPhone from Front or Back
You can disassemble the iPhone 16 from the front or the back, which makes it easier to get through the specific components that need repairing. This was first introduced in the base iPhone 14, but Apple has now expanded this design choice to the high-end Pro models as well.
iFixit referred to these changes as ‘big leaps in repairkind’ which allows for a more easily-repeatable repair process.
That’s not all. The selfie and the main camera modules are now more accessible than before, which makes potential repairs much easier. iFixit gave a repairability score of 7 (out of 10) to the iPhone 16 line. In comparison, the iPhone 15 managed to score only a four out of 10.
What do you think about these easier battery replacements on iPhone 16? Don’t forget to share your views in the comments below.
