Here’s why the iPhone 16 series might be easier to repair

The iPhone 16 series may reportedly be easier to repair than previous-generation Apple smartphones. The Cupertino-based tech giant unveiled the series, which includes the base model, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max, at its “It’s Glowtime” event earlier this month. While the company mentioned the new hardware upgrades, it didn’t highlight the behind-the-scenes changes it implemented to make the devices easier to repair. However, here are three ways Apple made the iPhone 16 series the most repairable series in the company’s history.

The iPhone 16 series may be easier to repair

There are several reasons why it was previously impossible to repair an iPhone at a third-party repair shop or at home. Apple has a strict policy on part replacements, so they must be ordered directly from Apple. In addition, the battery is glued to the casing with adhesive, which is difficult to remove.

However, a report from Engadget claims that the adhesive issue is no longer a problem now as the tech giant has changed the design of the adhesive to use a material that will break off when a low-voltage current is passed through it. Repair professionals can simply use a 9V battery (a common battery available at retailers and used in a variety of electrical appliances) to remove the battery from the casing.

The iPhone 16 series will reportedly get another improvement to its Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scanner, which is used for FaceID. Previously, it couldn’t be repaired outside of an Apple service center due to security issues with the operating system. But now, the new TrueDepth camera can reportedly be swapped from one unit to another without any problems.

The third change is also important. Apple introduced the Repair Assistant in iOS 18 to solve the problem of parts pairing. As mentioned above, due to Apple’s strict policies, parts pairing is difficult. However, the company now allows users to configure and calibrate new and old parts directly on the device.

Overall, these changes will likely make it easier for experienced users to fix minor issues and replace parts at home, while everyone else will have to go to a third-party shop for repairs.