The CMF Phone 1, known for its unconventional design, was expected to be easily repairable. However, a recent teardown by PBKreviews suggests otherwise. Although the phone features a unique back cover that can be easily removed, repairing the actual device is more complicated than expected.
The back cover has four flathead screws and an “Accessory Point” knob, which avoids the typical adhesive approach. Removing these screws pops off the plastic back, but reaching the battery requires additional steps that could void the warranty.
There’s a thin protective layer that must be peeled back to expose the battery, a step explicitly discouraged by PBKreviews as it compromises the warranty.
Next, there are twelve Phillips screws, each with tamper stickers, that need to be removed. These stickers serve as another warranty-voiding measure, underscoring the phone’s less-than-ideal repairability. The top half of the back cover houses the camera lenses and antennas.
Finally, the motherboard, which integrates the front and back cameras, chipset, RAM, storage, and sensors, becomes accessible. However, the battery remains difficult to reach due to a hidden screw located beneath the Accessory Point. Only after removing this hidden screw can the battery be pulled out using dedicated pull tabs.
PBKreviews concludes by awarding the CMF Phone 1 a middling repairability score of 6.5 out of 10. The hidden battery screw and the use of tamper stickers on easily accessible screws create unnecessary hurdles for repairs. Additionally, the plastic covers over the motherboard and speaker assembly are more challenging to remove compared to other phones.
The takeaway? The CMF Phone 1 takes a small step towards repairability with its accessible back cover screws. However, hidden elements and warranty-voiding steps mean independent repairs remain a challenging endeavor.
Comments