Among the various changes Apple brought to the new “budget” iPhone 16e model, there have also been upgrades in terms of its overall repairability as well. These updates to the design arrive from a teardown video shared by iFixit. So here are all the details.

Apple iPhone 16e improves on repairability

The Cupertino based giant’s products were known for their difficulties in repair. Apple had been notorious for cracking down on third party and self repairs in the past. It has made strides in this regard with its recent models, especially in the iPhones. Now, the iPhone 16e is continuing to improve with hardware design elements like an “electrically released adhesive”. This was first seen on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.

In other words, the technology helps make battery replacement easier than before. iFixit demonstrated this by using its VoltClip at 12V, freeing the battery in just 5 seconds. This is also a lot better than the stretch release adhesives that can break off when prying the battery off. In the teardown video, iFixit also noted that they didn’t face any issues with parts pairing, meaning that Apple has loosened software restrictions as well. This is clear progress in the Right to Repair.

To recall, the iPhone 16e also debuted the brand’s C1 model which was also revealed in this teardown video. Apart from this, iFixit gave the device a repairability score of 7 out of 10. They stated that the repairability matches the other iPhone 16 series models as well. Although, iFixit said it’s hard to justify it as an upgrade owing to its price hike and suggests buying refurbished.

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After two years of launching the Samsung Repair Hub in collaboration with the company, iFixit is now ending the partnership. Starting next month, they will no longer be Samsung’s designated third-party parts and tools distributor.

In the words of iFixit, “We aimed to set the gold standard for repair documentation and empower local independent repair businesses with the tools and parts they needed to thrive, all while keeping Galaxy devices running.”

Samsung reportedly didn’t want to help local repair shops

However, iFixit has not been able to execute what they aimed. According to them, the prices of the repair parts and tools are high enough to convince users to replace their devices entirely instead of repairing them. Samsung didn’t want to allow them to help local repair shops. In addition, Samsung hasn’t provided official parts for its new models since Galaxy S22.

As a result, iFixit is ending its partnership with Samsung after all its efforts in the last two years. According to them, Samsung’s approach to repairability didn’t align with them. The result will be the following:

• Starting June 2024, iFixit will no longer be Samsung’s designated third-party parts and tools distributor.
• Also starting next month, we will no longer have a quantity limit of seven Samsung parts per repair shop per quarter.
• No existing information will be removed from iFixit, but we will not collaborate directly with Samsung to develop new manuals.
• We will continue to sell parts and repair fix kits for Samsung devices, sourcing OEM parts when available and clearly indicating whether parts are original or aftermarket. Just like we do for Apple repair parts.

Samsung has responded to a request for comment on the matter, essentially indicating that they want to maintain control over the process.

Here’s what they said: “Samsung is committed to providing quality, accessible device care to our customers with flexible options to suit their needs, including walk-in, mail-in, and “We Come to You” services. For people who would like to take advantage of our self-repair program, we offer Samsung-certified parts, tools, and information for our qualified products in one easy place: SamsungParts.com, powered by Encompass. We’re proud of the work we’ve done together with iFixit. We can’t comment further on partnership details at this time.”

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With phone manufacturers making their phones more “fixable”, Google and iFixit have extended their collaboration to include original components for Google‘s Pixel tablet, released just this June. This expansion adds another layer to a booming culture of DIY tech repairs, all while making a powerful statement about the electronics industry’s direction.

A new screen can cost about $200, and the toolkit is an additional $6

Originally teaming up for Pixel phones, the collaboration has expanded its horizon. Now, original Pixel tablet parts, including the rear case complete with three microphones, antennas, and other bells and whistles, are up for grabs for a cool $200. While a back camera, speaker, and USB-C port replacements are more budget-friendly at $25 each, a new tablet battery will cost you $67. Those in need of a new screen can expect to shell out $200, and if you’re a DIY novice, a toolkit is available for an additional $6.

However, it’s not just about the parts. iFixit offers step-by-step guides on its portal, ensuring even the most inexperienced tech enthusiasts can navigate repairs with relative ease.

This partnership also sets a precedent for other brands to follow. iFixit had previously partnered with Samsung, offering repair options for Galaxy devices. But Google extending its commitment to tablet repairs marks another milestone in encouraging DIY repairs and sustainability in the tech world.

Through this collaboration, Google and iFixit are not just marketing spare parts; they are selling self-sufficiency, knowledge, and a more circular economy, right in the palms of our hands.

This is a game-changer. And not just for Pixel tablet owners, but for an industry wrestling with issues like planned obsolescence and electronic waste. The message is clear: our devices don’t have to be disposable; they can be fixable, and by us. So next time your Pixel tablet encounters a glitch, remember—you have the power to fix it. Literally.

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We already know that Google has partnered up with iFixit to offer DIY self repair services for its existing Pixel series of smartphones. Now, it appears that the collaboration will expand to include the new Pixel Fold model as well.

iFixit offers parts, tools, and manuals for Google Pixel Fold repairs

According to a 9To5Google report, a Google spokesperson has confirmed that Pixel Fold will be a part of the self repair program. In other words, the Search Engine giant’s Pixel Fold owners can now receive OEM repair tools, parts, manuals, and guides to perform DIY repairs on the foldable smartphone. The self repair program will offer parts for screen assembly, battery replacement, and charging port replacements as well.

Interestingly enough, this makes the Google Pixel Fold the first ever foldable smartphone to support a self repair program. At the moment, all of the other brands only offer official in-house repairs for their flexible handsets. But apart from the iFixit repair options, users can also opt for Pixel Fold repairs from their official services and mail-in repair options as well. Furthermore, the company will also offer an extended warranty for what it’s calling the Preferred Care option.

This service will basically cover mechanical breakdowns and repairs after any accidental damages to the device after its warranty ends. This new extended warranty option will be offered on a per-month basis or a one time payment option. With this, users can expect a repair service or a full replacement based on the situation.

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Last month, Logitech partnered with iFixit to make repairs easier and more sustainable for devices. Now Redmond-based Microsoft has partnered with iFixit to sell replacement components on its own store. This makes it easier for DIY enthusiasts to perform self-repair on their Surface devices. Read on to know more details below. 

Microsoft now sells Surface replacement parts on its Store

Technically inclined customers whose Surface devices are out-of-warranty can perform a self-repair The replacement components will be available on the Microsoft Store. These include kickstand parts, fingerprint sensors, replacement display units, batteries, SSD doors, WiFi modules, and more. You can find the full list of replacement parts here. 

Tim McGuiggan, VP, of Device Services and Product Engineering at Microsoft says that when purchasing a replacement component, customers will receive the part and relevant collateral components such as screws. However, the tools required to repair the Surface devices are sold separately by iFixit. 

Microsoft’s Surface replacement components will first be available for customers in the United States, Canada, and France through the company’s official Store. In other markets, certified Microsoft Resellers will handle the distribution. The company says that it will update when it plans to expand the availability of these parts to other markets in the future.

The list of devices eligible for replacement components includes Surface Pro 7, Pro 8, Pro 9, Surface Laptop (Gen 3, 4, and 5), Surface Laptop Go 2, Surface Laptop Studio, and the Surface Studio 2+ all-in-one computer. Pricing for the parts will vary depending on the device. 

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Technology is becoming more and more expensive. The more features you want, the more you have to pay. That’s why flagship phones, premium mouse, and high-end graphics cards are so expensive. And with the global economic crisis and increasing costs, prices are only going to go up. Logitech is aware of this situation, and they’re trying to do something about it. They’re partnering with iFixit to advance circularity goals, which will allow users to pay less for their technology. Here are the details…

Logitech Partners with iFixit to Advance Circularity Goals

Logitech and iFixit, a leading provider of repair tools and guides, have announced a new partnership to make it easier and more sustainable to repair Logitech products. The partnership will allow customers to repair their own Logitech products, rather than having to send them back to Logitech for repair or replacement.

This will help to reduce the amount of electronic waste that is generated each year. The partnership is part of Logitech’s commitment to sustainability. The company has set a goal of reducing its environmental impact by 50% by 2030. Making repairs easier and more accessible is one way that Logitech is working to achieve this goal.

As part of the partnership, Logitech will make genuine replacement parts and repair guides available for select products through iFixit’s online repair marketplace. This will empower customers to repair their own devices and keep them in use for longer. The partnership between Logitech and iFixit is a significant step forward in the effort to make electronics more sustainable. By making repairs easier and more accessible, the partnership will help to reduce the amount of electronic waste that is generated each year.

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Samsung has come out on top as the most repair-friendly smartphone brand in 2022, beating Apple by a large margin, according to a study by the Electronics Hub. The study aggregated data from iFixit to determine which smartphones were easiest and most difficult to repair at home, based on average repair times and the difficulty of repair guide instructions found online.

Study finds Samsung phones most DIY-repair friendly of 2022

Samsung’s Galaxy phones released in 2022 were found to be the easiest to repair, with the Galaxy S22 Ultra ranked third in terms of DIY repair-friendliness after the Galaxy A40 (2019) and the Moto G7 launched the same year. The Galaxy A40 has an average repair time of 32.6 minutes per fix, with 42.9% of repairs considered easy. While Galaxy S22 Ultra has an average repair time of 48.1 minutes, with a notable 33.3% of repairs being easy to execute.

Meanwhile, the most difficult smartphone to repair was found to be the Google Pixel 7 (2022), with an average home repair time of 60.3 minutes. The Galaxy Note 10 was also labeled as not DIY-repair-friendly, with an average repair time of 58.4 minutes and repair instructions labeled as difficult to follow.

Interestingly, Samsung was also the top brand in terms of home repair friendliness in 2013 and 2014, after which it lost the lead to other brands such as Google, Motorola, Apple, and Xiaomi. However, in 2022, Samsung regained its position as the most repairable smartphone brand in the world.

Samsung’s focus on repairability can be seen in its latest phones, including the 2023 Galaxy S23 series, which now come with battery pouches that greatly simplify battery replacements. This move is likely to further enhance Samsung’s position as the most repair-friendly smartphone brand in the market.

Overall, the study highlights the importance of repairability as a key factor for consumers when choosing a smartphone. With Samsung leading the way in this regard, other brands may need to follow suit and prioritize repairability to remain competitive in the ever-evolving smartphone market.

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Purchasing an Apple product can be expensive these days. It is important for users to conduct thorough research and consider factors beyond just the product’s features before making a substantial investment. One aspect to consider is the upgradability and repairability of the product. To assist users with this issue, iFixit, a company dedicated to helping users, disassembled the new MacBook Pro and evaluated Apple’s official repair guides. Here are the details…

iFixit tear down the new MacBook Pro and test Apple’s official repair guides

iFixit, which took apart Apple’s new MacBook models, didn’t uncover any big surprises. Continuing to use the interior design that’s familiar to many, Apple managed to achieve an engineering feat with this model as well. iFixit’s main focus in this video was Apple’s official repair guides, which provide users with the tools needed to repair their own devices.

The program covers most recent iPhone models and the entire M1 Mac lineup. However, since the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros have the same design as the previous generation, iFixit used the repair guides for the 2021 MacBook Pro models. At the end of the day, it was as expected. Apple’s manual is reportedly “quite comprehensive and easy to follow,” but there’s one intriguing aspect: the instruction to drape the MacBook’s screen over the edge of a table so the user doesn’t touch the battery during repair.

The repairability score of the new MacBook Pro was 5 out of 10, which is not a high score. This is because many critical parts, such as RAM and processor, are soldered to the Logic Board.

This raises the issue of upgradability, as the chances of replacing parts on newer MacBook models are low. When purchasing, it’s important to consider your needs and make a decision accordingly.

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Samsung is working with iFixit, the top online repair community, to launch its self-repair service. The company’s commitment to giving customers sustainable solutions that will enable them to support a more circular economy by extending the lifetimes of their devices is reinforced by this program, which complements Samsung’s continuous consumer-friendly repair expansions.

Genuine Samsung parts for the Galaxy Tab S7+, Galaxy S20, and Galaxy S21 series are now offered on iFixit. iFixit.com now sells replacement screens, rear glass, and charging ports as standalone components or as part of Fix Kits that come with everything you need to fix a compatible Galaxy device. The new display kits will include a return label to ship used parts back to Samsung – at no cost to the consumer. This makes it even easier for customers to send back their used components for ethical recycling.

Samsung also provides Customer-First Care Options in addition to this.

• Same-day service in person: More than 80% of the US population is attended to on the same day. Access mobile product repair services at more than 2,000 locations with an average response time of two hours or less.
• Samsung also has more than 550 “We Come To You” vans that provide in-person service within a 30- to 60-minute trip.
• Mail-In Service: For all mobile customers who choose to use the mail-in service, Samsung provides nationwide coverage throughout all 50 states.
• Independent Service Providers (ISP): Samsung’s ISP network provides out-of-warranty services, same-day service, WISE-certified facilities, qualified technicians, and genuine parts.

Availability

Genuine Samsung Galaxy components are presently only available in the US as of August 2. According to iFixit, “We’re attempting to grow our product portfolio and offer more comprehensive components. Furthermore, the original device components and useful, easy-to-use repair tools available through iFixit and Samsung retail and service facilities in the US areas are identical parts, including the prices provided to our affiliated repair providers.”

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Earlier this month, Samsung teamed up with repair experts iFixit to make DIY repairs easier for its phones and tablets. Now, a new report from BusinessKorea states that Samsung is considering using recycled parts for repairs.

As we know, Samsung announced its partnership with iFixit to make DIY repairs easier for its users. The company will soon start providing authentic parts, repair tools, and repair guides to customers who want to repair their own Galaxy products. Through iFixit, Samsung will soon be selling parts like display assemblies, back glass, and charging ports for the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S21, and Galaxy Tab S7+.

Under the “Self Service Repair” program, users will also be able to return the used parts to Samsung for responsible recycling which the South Korean company might be able to reuse as it is said to be considering introducing a recycled parts program in the first half of 2022.

Under the new recycled parts program, the repair cost of a display is said to be half of what it is right now. For instance, if you drop and crack the screen of an $800 Galaxy S22, it will cost you around $200 to get the screen replaced. The report also states that the quality and performance of the recycled components will be about as good as those of new parts.

With the low cost introduced by the recycled parts program, getting a device fixed will be more appealing than getting a new one altogether. The move will also have a good effect on the environment as there will be fewer spare parts and smartphones going into landfills.

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Last week was not the busiest in the consumer technology world. However, we did witness multiple product launches in different markets though some of them had already gone official earlier.

The most notable events were hosted by OnePlus and Black Shark for the OnePlus 10 series and the Black Shark 5 series respectively. Then, there was also a Xiaomi conference at which the company introduced two more Redmi Note 11s.

Finally, as far as non-launches are concerned, we have selected two articles to complete our list. These are regarding Samsung’s self-repair program and Chrome v100.

With that out of the day, let’s take a look at the aforementioned stories one by one.

Top Stories from Last Week

OnePlus 10 Pro debuts globally

The OnePlus 10 Pro finally made its global debut on March 31. The smartphone was also accompanied by the OnePlus Bullets wireless Z2 neckband-style wireless earphones.

The handset has the exact same set of features as the original Chinese model, except for a couple of changes. The North American version is limited to 65W fast wired charging. Further, the T-Mobile variant has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Interestingly, the device comes in a single 8GB + 128GB memory configuration in North America. While the rest of the world gets the handset in 8GB + 128GB as well as 12GB + 256GB memory versions.

The phone starts at $899/₹66,999/€899/£799, while the earphones are priced at ₹1,999.

Black Shark 5 series goes official offering 4 chipset options

The Black Shark 5 series was unveiled last week consisting of three models. Customers can select from four different chipset options and slightly varying specs.

The vanilla model is powered by Snapdragon 870, whereas the Pro model houses the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Then, there’s an RS model, which comes in Snapdragon 888 and Snapdragon 888+ variants.

The RS version looks identical to the Black Shark 4/4S series. On the other hand, the other two models sport a new design. Apart from the cameras, the rest of the specs are more or less the same on all three.

As far as pricing is concerned, the Black Shark 5, 5 Pro, 5 RS start at ¥2,799 ($440), ¥4,199 ($660), and ¥3,299 ($518) respectively in China.

Two new Redmi Note 11s and Redmi 10s

Xiaomi launched two new Redmi Note 11s called Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G and Redmi Note 11S for select international markets. The former is the same as the model sold in China, whereas the latter is a rebranded Redmi Note 11 5G from China and it also goes by the name of POCO M4 Pro 5G in some regions. Additionally, the vanilla Redmi Note 11 got a Xiaomi Fan Festival Special Edition.

The company also unveiled a device called Redmi 10 5G for global markets. This phone is called Redmi Note 11E 5G in China. 

Last but not least, Xiaomi also took wraps off the Redmi 10A in China. It is nothing but a refreshed Redmi 9A with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor and a different rear design.

Samsung partners with iFixit for a self-repair program

In November 2021, Apple announced a self-repair program for its iPhones. Following the trendsetter, last week, Samsung launched its version of the self-repair program in collaboration with iFixit.

The South Korean electronics giant’s initiative is currently limited to the Galaxy S20 series, Galaxy S21 series, and Galaxy Tab S7+. The program provides authentic parts, repair tools, and repair guides to the customers.

We expect more companies to introduce their self-repair program as part of the ‘right to repair.’

Chrome v100 is here

Last week, the world’s popular internet browser, Google Chrome, hit version 100 on all the platforms — Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux, At the same time, Chrome OS also got updated to version 100 since it is based on Chrome browser.

Talking about changes, the latest version of the browser arrives with new iconography,  multi-screen window placement API, and no more ‘Lite Mode’ on Android as well as iOS.

On the other hand, Chrome OS gets a new launcher, search improvements, ability to edit text using voice, option to make GIFs using camera, and granular options for screenshots and screen recordings.

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Samsung has just recently announced a new partnership with iFixit. With this collaboration, the company plans on offering a self repair options from iFixit to its users for its Galaxy devices.

The South Korean tech giant made the announcement earlier this week. In the partnership, the company will be providing authentic parts, repair tools, and repair guides to customers who want to repair their own Galaxy products. Samsung’s new repair program is basically a self repair program, which is similar to the one Apple launched last year. The “Self Service Repair” program from the Cupertino based giant is planned to launch in early 2022 and is designed to allow users to do their own repairs by sourcing parts and repair manuals from Apple.

As of right now, the brand’s self repair program limited to the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 at launch. Similarly, Samsung’s own repair option is also limited at the moment. As of right now, Samsung and iFixit will be providing repair parts for the Galaxy S20, the Galaxy S21, and the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus. Unfortunately, the newly launched Galaxy S22 series smartphone is not supported in the program.

Now, Samsung customers that join the self repair program will be provided with a step by step repair guide. These will help them in replacing display assemblies, back glass, and charging ports with used parts returned to Samsung for recycling. According to company SVP of customer care Ramon Gregory, the brand is “creating more ways for consumers to extend the lifespan of [its] products with premium care experiences.”

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Apple had recently announced two new products, namely the Mac Studio and Studio Display. And now, iFixit has released a new tear down video that revealed the internals of the two gadgets.

Looking at the video, we can see the M1 Max powered Mac Studio. In the YouTube, iFixit stated that “If Apple squeezed a Mac Pro into a Mac mini, you’d get something that looks a lot like the new (Mac Studio). Based on a previous teardown, we already know that the Mac Studio’s SSD is not soldered and can be removed. So while iFixit confirmed this, it is still unknown if upgrades are possible. iFixit did find a spare slot on the logic board and put an SSD from another Mac Studio, but that did not work.

On the other hand, RAM is built in and can not upgraded once the user purchases a particular configuration. Another notable aspect noted during the teardown was the massive heatsink. The cooling system relies on a dual fan assembly and the fans are “so much more massive than other Mac fans.” Similarly, they also found that the heatsink “positively dwarfs the M1.” Apart from this, the internals of the Mac Studio are complex, comprising of various brackets, connectors, and torx screws, which impacts repairability (scored 6 out of 10 on repairs) and user accessibility. Although, it was praised for its heat management system.

Arriving at the Studio Display, iFixit also tore apart the Cupertino based giant’s latest productivity based display. In the video, we get a short look of the Studio Display’s internals that looks quite similar to an iMac. The webcam in the Studio Display is similar to the camera on the iPhone 11. Although, this was just a general observation and not a proper breakdown analysis, which will be arriving in the near future.

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With the right-to-repair movement gaining popularity in the US, the companies might have begun to see the writing on the wall as tech giant Microsoft has made the first move to bring its customers more repairability options with their partnership with iFixit.

Earlier today, iFixit announced its partnership with Microsoft to produce and sell Microsoft-designed tools to repair their Surface laptops. For those unaware, iFixit is an American e-commerce and how-to website which sells repair parts and publishes free online repair guides for consumer electronics and gadgets.

The move garners a positive reception by Microsoft’s Surface customers as it provides them with more repairability options and convenience for a device that has been considered rather difficult to repair.

But you can’t go DIY on your Surface Laptops yet as the parts are only being sold to select partners under the free-of-cost iFixit Pro program, including independent repairers, Microsoft Authorized Service Providers, Microsoft Experience Centers, and Microsoft Commercial customers. iFixit has not given any timeline as to when the tools will be available for sale to the general public, but they hope it will happen sooner rather than later.

iFixit explained that the program is launching with three tools, namely the Surface Display Bonding Frame, Surface Battery Cover, Surface Display Debonding Tools, as well as weights and accessories, all designed by Microsoft and manufactured by iFixit. The tools will enable precision debonding and rebonding of adhesive for select Microsoft Surface models and will undergo the same rigorous quality testing and attention to detail that they give to all of our products.

These tools are, unfortunately, only for newer Surface devices like the Surface Laptop 3 (2019) and newer, the Surface Pro X (2019), the business / education-oriented Surface Pro 7 plus (2021), and Surface Pro 8 (2021), but its a start and we can hope that more support will be offered down the line for a wider range of devices.

If you are a laptop repair business owner looking to fix Microsoft surface devices, you can avail these tools by applying for iFixit’s Pro program by filling out a form. Once completed and approved, the new iFixit Microsoft Service Tools for Surface laptops can be purchased for use worldwide.

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Apple has just recently launched its 2021 MacBook Pro laptops. And now, iFixit has just released its teardown of the company’s latest laptops. One of the highlighting aspect found during this teardown was the redesigned internals, which allowed for a “DIY-friendly” batter replacement process.

In a recent report iFixit noted that the new MacBook Pro models offers the “first reasonably DIY-friendly battery replacement procedure since 2012.” Furthermore, iFixit added that the Cupertino based giant had traditionally glued the battery of the MacBook Pro to the top case of the notebook. This practice had started with the first Retina MacBook Pro that was launched back in 2012. But in major shift in design, the iPhone maker has now included a battery pull tabs to make the process of replacing batteries easier.

The report stated that usually one would have to get to the battery last as it was difficult to remove. However, this has changed with the latest 14 inch and 16 inch MacBook Pro models. The changes in design doesn’t just stop there as now, the battery pack isn’t stuck under the logic board either. In other words, disassembling the MacBook Pro and having to replace its battery won’t have one go through the process of tearing down the laptop’s primary components. According to iFixit, this is by far one the more “reasonable and do-it-yourself friendly as well internal design that Apple has offered with its MacBook Pro.

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iFixit has just shared the first part of its two part series in which in tears down the new Apple AirTag smart tracker. In the teardown, iFixit noted that the product has an impressive internal design decision that helped it achieve a compact form factor.

As per the teadown from iFixit, the Cupertino based giant’s smart tracker offering is the smallest in size in comparison to its rivals the Tile Mate and the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag. The iPhone maker achieved this feat through an ‘impressively compact’ design despite the battery taking up the most internal space in the housing. Although, one major difference with the AirTag and other trackers is the lack of a keyring hole, which iFixit stated as one of Apple’s move of “turning essential functions into premium, add-on accessories.”

An x-ray of the three trackers together showcases that the AirTag wasted no internal space for its item tracker, while the Tile Mate and Galaxy SmartTag had been “sprawling” with internal space. Notably, despite both the Tile Mate and Galaxy SmartTag having a large body overall, neither of them offer ultra wideband technology like AirTags. Although, it is worth noting that Samsung has recently launched an ultra widband variant of its Galaxy SmartTag.

Under the hood, all three trackers feature a coin cell replaceable batteries, with the AirTag and the Galaxy SmartTag housing a .66Wh CR2032 battery, while the Tile Mate uses a smaller .39Wh CR1632 battery. iFixit also noted that Apple showcased “surprising restraint in sealing the AirTag,” with replacing the battery being the furthest a customer will be able to reach without proper tooling.

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iFixit has just shared a new teardown video of a smartphone. The new video is for the OnePlus 9 Pro, which apparently could be difficult to repair and receives a 4 out of 10 score on the repairability scale.

In the video, iFixit details the breakdown process that was quite similar to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, which also did not offer an outstanding repairability process. Just to get to the battery, the expert had to deal with various cables before they could disconnect the battery. The rear panel is also glued on with an adhesive to make it air tight.

Although, the device does have a slight edge over the Galaxy S21 Ultra as it offers two handy pull tabs on its two batteries, which makes them easier to remove. Furthermore, the OnePlus 9 Pro’s quad camera system can only be removed when the batteries are taken out. Thus, for the most part, the device’s repairability does not change in comparison to its predecessor the OnePlus 8 Pro.

iFixit concluded the teardown by saying that “Its easily removable battery and relatively modular construction are always great to see, but its glued-on rear panel is a barrier to entry and repair making matters worse. Its display requires a lot of disassembly to access and will be a pain to remove if it breaks, thanks to tenacious adhesive and curved edges.” Hence, the latest flagship from the Chinese tech giant has received a score of 4 out of 10 on the YouTuber’s repairability list, which is one point higher than the Galaxy S21 Ultra and on par with the base Galaxy S21.

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iFixit has recently took apart a new device. It was the Samsung Galaxy S21, which received a repairability rating of 4 out of 10. Despite such a modest result, the flagship was still better than its predecessor the Galaxy S20.

While iFixit never officially posted an official rating for the Galaxy S20, the South Korean tech giant’s latest flagship is clearly more easier to repair, as per a GSMArena report. Looking at the video, it can be observed that the plastic back is easier to remove than a glass panel. Furthermore, the flat display is also easier to remove as well, which is also now made to be detachable. The reasons for the relatively low score is the difficulty in removing the battery and the display.

Samsung also glues the batteries in the Galaxy S21, rather than having a pull tab that makes it easier. The tear down also offers interesting side by side shots of the new fingerprint scanner as well. We can observe that the Galaxy S20 Ultra featured a much larger a sensor that covered more surface area under the hood.

In recent times, premium grade handsets have been seen having complex internal configurations that have made it harder for the device to be repaired. Although, not great, Samsung has still made a few improvements in this regard. You can check out the video above to see the tear down from iFixit.

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Apple recently launched the AirPods Max headphones in the market, expanding the portfolio of its audio offerings under the popular AirPods lineup. Now, weeks after the device getting launched, iFixit has completed its teardown.

In the teardown overview report, iFixit discovered some interesting details. However, the most surprising thing is the repairability score of six out of ten. This is the only AirPods product has doesn’t have a repairability score of zero.

So, why is that? The report reveals that a lot of internal components in the AirPods Max are held together through screws instead of glue, making it easier to swap them out. Also, the ear cushions are attached through magnetics. So, after wear-and-tear, if you want to replace them, that can be done quite easily.

Another thing that impressed the team of iFixit is the headband hinge mechanism which connects the band and the ear cups. It can be detached with just a SIM card removal tool without the need to open the ear cup.

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However, not everything is easy and straightforward, as you expect from Apple. Although several components are tied up with screws, there are many different types involved. So, you need to be equipped with several screwdriver heads if you want to open it.

Also, for opening the AirPods Max, you will have to deal with adhesives which isn’t an easy job for everyone and pose a risk of breaking things down when attempting to do so. However, it notes that compared to popular offerings in this space — Sony WH-1000XM4 and Bose NC 700, the AirPods Max from Apple fares well.

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It is a well known fact that companies prefer that customers only reach out to them or their authorized partners for repairs of their smartphones. Apple takes an aggressive approach to this philosophy with near impossible third party repairs. Now, it seems that Huawei might have also unintentionally made repairs of the Huawei Mate 40 Pro impossible as well after a recent iFixit teardown revealed a mess of its components on the inside.

Generally, smartphones with glass on the front and back are usually more likely to face more visible damage from hard drops. However, this also makes it harder for repairs as well, since trying to pry off the glass panels might cause them to break. iFixit tried to remove the Mate 40 Pro’s back panel by heating, prying and even slicing, although, the screen wasn’t as easy. This already makes the repairs for the most commonly broken part of Huawei flagship’s quite difficult and even expensive.

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The issues with repairs don’t just stop there as the teardown discovered that the layout of the internal components also makes repairs hard. Due to the messy placements of certain parts, like the hidden flex cable that iFixit experts accidently cut off due to its close proximity to the power button. While OEMs sometimes focusing on packing the components neatly like art, it seems like Huawei just dumped the internal components into the housing and crammed everything in, as per a SlashGear report.

Notably, iFixit didn’t just find negative aspects for repairs, with many parts being modular and easier for replacing in case of damage. Even the top speaker and the periscopic telephoto camera are also modular. So, switching out damaged components is easier, although, that depends on if one can get this deep enough for repairs without breaking anything in the first place. iFixit gave the Huawei Mate 40 Pro a 4 out of 10 in terms of repairability, which is even below the Apple iPhone 12 series.

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iFixit recently published a new teardown article of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra. In the article, we see a detailed look into the internals of the South Korean tech giant’s latest flagship series, with a surprising discovery that explains why the device’s run hot during intensive tasks.

iFixit discovered that both the Ultra and base variants are missing the vaper chamber and copper heat pipes for cooling, which the company did equip in its predecessors to offer good thermal management during extended gaming sessions. As a replacement, Samsung added a multi layered graphite thermal pad inside both smartphones, which was also found by JerryRigEverything.

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However, this is a bit confusing considering at least one Galaxy Note 20 Ultra arrives with the copper heat pipe and vapor chamber cooling, as seen previously in a South Korean model which you can see here. At the moment, it is unknown why the cooling mechanism differs in the same model and if it is based on the region of availability. However, it might be a cause for concern for some, since reviews have shown the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra running hot, regardless of the intensity of usage. So, it is advised to find out which cooling variant of the Galaxy Note 20 series if one is planning on buying the latest flagship.

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The newly launched OnePlus Nord made its way to iFixit, which recently uploaded a teardown video of the affordable 5G smartphone. The YouTube video had the handset be disassembled, revealing cut corners that have made it easier to repair.

At the moment, OnePlus Nord is one of the most affordable 5G smartphones in the market. But with the non-premium price tag comes a few areas that had to be downgraded. While most OnePlus smartphone models in the past couple of years sport a glass on metal rear cover, the Nord features a cheaper glass on plastic panel. However, this makes it easier to pry open, rather than requiring dangerous levels of heat application to loosen the adhesive.

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After removing the rear pane, iFixit found a good number of screws, which were all the same size, length, and kind. In other words, they required only a single Philips screwdriver to remove. Furthermore, the expert also noted that everything is modular and easy to replace, with even the battery pack having an easy to use pull tab. Interestingly, the teardown revealed a generous use of rubber gaskets around connectors for waterproofing. This means that OnePlus did offer some protection against water despite the device not having an official IP rating, which the company previously stated to be expensive.

iFixit gave the device an overall score of 6 out of 10, with the main drawback being the display which is still glued down hard and a rather bothersome method of removing the battery. Although, apart from these issues, the OnePlus Nord still received a positive review in the YouTube video, which you can check out above.

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Touted as Motorola’s first foldable phone, the Razr is quite intriguing in every aspect. It boasts mid-range specifications, coupled with a steep price tag, but details about what’s inside the device have been few and far between. Thanks to iFixit’s teardown experts, we now have our best look yet at its sophisticated mechanical hinging mechanism.

On February 13th, iFixit shared a comprehensive teardown of the Motorola Razr. Raving the “numerous feats of engineering” that the Chicago-based multinational telecommunications company managed to pull off in terms of design, iFixit said that the intricacy made the Razr the “most complicated phone-based contraption” it has ever disassembled.

The Razr is not one of those handsets that can be taken apart and put back together by DIY repair enthusiasts. First off, opening the device is quite a backbreaking task as Motorola has used a lot of glue to keep it in place. Moreover, the device is teeming with easy-to-snap flex cables that are nothing short of booby traps if you are an amateur repairer.

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Considering the arduous process of even opening the Razr, iFixit says it is surprising that Motorola charges just $299 for screen repairs. The Motorola Razr garnered iFixit’s lowered repairability score of just 1; however, it admitted in its writeup that it isn’t easy to perfectly repair the first-generation handset.

Repairability remains one of the biggest woes when it comes to foldable devices, given that the folding display and hinge mechanisms’ reliability is yet to be proven. When folded in half, the Razr has a noticeable gap right between its hinge and display on either side.

It can be recalled that Samsung‘s initial attempt at the Galaxy Fold was plagued with problems associated with a similar gap as it was widely-believed that debris could get collected in this gap and cause all sorts of problems. Furthermore, the burning question on popping inside everyone’s head at the moment is whether or not these foldable devices can stand the test of time. In short, can these devices endure regular use?

CNET’s recently conducted folding test suggests the hinge is likely to break in less than 12 months, but Motorola claims it is built to last relatively longer than that. To know whether or not the company’s claim is true, we will need to wait for two or more years until consumers have used these foldable devices in the real world.

Are you surprised by the low repairability score of the Razr? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

UP NEXT: Huawei Mate 30 Pro scores pretty well in iFixit’s repairability teardown

(Source)

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Back in 2016, Apple launched its iPhone 7 series flagship smartphone. While many were excited about the upgrades and new features, one particular function went under most headlines. With iOS 7 the Cupertino-based company shipped smartphones with Activation Lock which made iPhone a lot more secure than before. This small function was a welcomed feature that discouraged thievery against Apple smartphones. Unfortunately, it is also why thousands of iPhones end up in junk and being scrapped for parts.

Although the new feature functions as a great way to secure one’s iPhone it is also the primary reason why a lot of iPhones end up being useless and in the junkyard. Ideally, the function works best when owners use the Find My app which immediately locks the iPhone. The lock can only be disabled once the Apple ID and password of the owner has been input; failing this, the device is nothing more than a fancy paperweight.

According to the renowned hardware repair specialist iFixit, thousands of perfectly functioning iPhones have to be shredded and scrapped for parts every month instead of being refurbished. Many iPhone users are unaware of disabling the Activation Lock and properly wiping their Find My app details on their handsets. So when they upgrade to a new smartphone or just getting rid of their older iPhone, the device becomes useless as it is inaccessible since Find My app is a permanent lock if the iPhone is not wiped clean and reset.

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Peter Schindler, founder and owner of the Wireless Alliance, a Colarado based electronics recycler and refurbisher, stated that he receives anywhere 4000 to 6000 locked iPhones every month. These devices can still be easily refurbished and put back into circulation but “have to get parted out or scrapped” due to the anti-theft feature.

Notably, Schindler stated to iFixit that Apple should implement a bypass that “would allow certified recyclers and refurbishers to unlock donated devices if they’re not reported lost or stolen.” This would be great for many reasons, the foremost being environmental impacts since Apple is the third most popular smartphone brand currently in the market.

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(Via)

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Over the past few years, smartphone designs have become more and more complicated making it tricky to open and replace parts inside. So it’s no surprise that top-end flagship phones like the Galaxy Note series have traditionally not fared well in iFixit’s repairability teardowns. However, it looks like the Mate 30 Pro does pretty well in repairability as iFixit gives it a decent 5/10 score in its most recent teardown.

The waterfall glass on the Huawei Mate 30 Pro was always going to be the biggest hurdle in repairing the device. However, it’s not as bad as we would have thought as the display can be removed without removing the battery inside. But you’ll have to be really careful though. The waterfall display leaves zero margin between the display and the frame, making it quite hard to pry it open. Also, unlike most smartphones of 2019 which have separate plugs for digitizer and screen, Huawei Mate 30 Pro’s display connects to the board via a single small-sized connector.

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The Mate 30 Pro manages to scores decently in the teardown because almost every component inside the device is modular and can be replaced independently. Plus, standard Phillips screws ensure you don’t have to carry multiple tools or remove a lot of glue inside the device. iFixit also added that the display is connected via a single connector, unlike the traditional two cable design where one is for the digitizer and another one for the screen.

iFixit concludes the teardown saying that the Mate 30 Pro features a lot of cutting edge tech and modular components. They even go on to say that they understand why the phone didn’t have room for a 3.5mm jack. So the 5/10 repairability score is pretty decent for a 2019 flagship.

In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus got a repairability score of just 3/5. The Pixel 4 XL got a score of 4/10, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max did surprisingly well by scoring a solid 6/10 in repairability because of its design focus on battery and display repairs.

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(Source)

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Samsung announced the new flagship devices at Galaxy Unpacked event in February. Namely, Samsung debuted the Galaxy S10, S10+ and S10e at the event. Now, its pre-orders are live, and some users have also started receiving the devices. Although, if you’re planning to buy the new Galaxy S10 device then make sure to handle it carefully as the repairs will be costly. In a new teardown video, iFixit claimed that the Galaxy S10 and the Galaxy S10+ is hard to fix and its repair will be expensive. It will be among the most expensive Android devices to repair.

Our folks at iFixit disassembled all the three editions of the Galaxy S10. They have covered the teardown of both the Galaxy S10e and Galaxy S10 in photos while Galaxy S10+ has got a video of a disassembly.

As in the video below, we can see the Galaxy S10+ carrying a strong adhesive holding the different parts of the device. iFixit has found that all the major components for the device are hidden behind the handset’s glass backplate. The fragile backplate can break if the disassembly is not done accurately. It will obviously make you shell out soaring repair costs if damaged. Past the backplate, a strong adhesive is used to fix its different parts. You can see the teardown video of Galaxy S10+ below:

After, crossing the adhesive portion, all the other parts were quite easy to take off. iFixit used Phillips-head screwdriver to open the majority of the elements assembled on the motherboard. Furthermore, the USB-C charging port is soldered on the motherboard, which would increase the repair cost if got damaged. As the whole motherboard would be changed at that time. Similarly, the battery is also glued making it difficult to replace. Even though, a full display repair would be needed if anything happened to the Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.

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Overall, iFixit has given Galaxy S10+ a disappointing score of three out of ten. Last year, Galaxy S9 earned four points along with its siblings such as Galaxy Note 8 and S8 also in the same boat. Pixel 3 and Huawei Mate 20 Pro are also in the same line with four points out of ten. Essential Phone has received the lowest rating of one out of ten until now.

(Source)

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After Mate 20 Pro teardown by ZOL, now it’s time for the iFixit teardown. Huawei’s latest flagship device is available across all regions around the Globe. It was launched last month along with Huawei Mate 20, Mate 20 X and a Porsche edition. It carries high-end specs including Kirin 980 SoC with AI capabilities. Yesterday, Huawei announced special waterproof case for the Mate 20 pro to extend its usability for underwater shooting. Now, in a Mate 20 Pro teardown by iFixit, we’ve got to know that the device is quite difficult to repair. There are many other details about its cameras and other features that have been revealed by iFixit teardown.

Huawei Mate 20 Pro is the latest device that has been torn down by iFixit. The DIY authority has found that due to excessive glue on the back and front side, it is quite challenging to repair the device.

While opening the device, iFixit found it difficult to open from the back due to excessive glue usage on either side. Though, there are chances that consumer might break their device while opening it from the back. Even, the screen repair is not as easy as it has also been glued tightly. Moreover, damaging a screen means, you have also lost its on-screen fingerprint also. Although, it is easy to replace the battery if you have managed to open the back panel of Mate 20 Pro.

On the mid-board, housed between the glass and battery carries NFC antenna, wireless charging coil, dual LED flash. The whole part is attached to the body with the help of a flex connector and eight screws. Huawei has added a relatively small main board which carries Kirin 980, 8GB RAM module, Wifi adapter and 2×2 MIMO port. Further, you can see the modules of 3D unlock hardware, triple camera and a few other things. The main board is held by 9 flex cables.

Further, its front camera sits inside the cutouts with mainboard comprising of the 24-megapixel sensor, rangefinder, proximity sensor, flood illuminator, ambient light sensor, and IR camera.

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Further, Huawei has used Phillips screws rather than standard screws with a large amount of adhesive. There are more chances that user damage the smartphone while getting it repaired. The new device from Huawei has managed to get four points out of 10 in terms of repairability easiness. Though Mate 20 Pro is not alone in this league, Galaxy Note 9, LG G7 and Mate 10 Pro also scored similarly in terms of ease to repair.

(Source)

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In a new announcement, Motorola has partnered with iFixit for OEM repair kits. Under the iFixit #righttorepair campaign, Lenovo owned Motorola has made a stand to offer its customers OEM repair kits to fix their Motorola devices. iFixit is a company which provides repair parts for various consumer electronic products. It helps consumers to repair their devices themselves by selling the repairing kits. It also offers dedicated video courses for fixing.

iFixit always tries to convince OEMs to let users repair their devices themselves, rather than shooting to the service centers. Some companies have already partnered with iFixit on this take, and Motorola is the latest OEM who has joined the club.

Speaking on the occasion of partnership, iFixit says, “Motorola is setting an example for major manufacturers to embrace a more open attitude towards repair. If you’re a Motorola customer, you can now either send in your broken device directly to Motorola for repair—or you can fix it yourself with the highest quality parts and tools, plus a free step-by-step guide, all included in our official Motorola OEM Fix Kits.”

Currently, there are two types of kits that iFixit has made available on their website. iFixit is providing a particular battery replacement kit and an LCD screen replacement kit. About 70-80% repair for a mobile device is regarding its battery or display. So in order to make the most of the deal, iFixit has made available only battery and display replacement kits.

Along with the genuine replacement parts, iFixit has also added tools that you need while doing the repair of Motorola devices. Both the kits include screwdrivers, bits, tweezers, spudger, opening tool and much more.

iFixit has made available these kits for the devices such as Moto X, Moto X Pure, Moto G4/G4 Plus, Moto Z/Moto Z Play/Z Force Droid, Moto G5 Plus and Droid Turbo 2. We hope in the upcoming times, iFixit will add new Motorola devices’ repair kits in the store.

• Read More: Google Pixel 3 devices using Samsung AMOLED confirms iFixit teardown

It would be interesting to know, how Motorola users repair their devices in future times. Is it going to help Motorola users or not?

(Source)

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Guys at iFixit have started exploring the recently launched Google Pixel 3. Google announced the Pixel 3 with a 5.5-inch OLED display having a resolution of 1080×2160 pixels with a pixel density of 439ppi. In a recent teardown by iFixit, it came across that the new Google Pixel 3 holds OLED display developed by Samsung. Further, it is revealed that Google is using the same SR3HX Titan M security chip as used in Pixel 2XL.

Major opening over here is that Google has ditched the LG’s displays over the Samsung’s to better compete against its competitors. Last year after various complaints and comparisons, users found that Pixel 2 displays are not as par with the competition due to various issues. Pixel 2 users complained about various issues like unsaturated colors at few points, darker colors and crosshatch colors on display.

So, in a bid to overcome these complaints, Google seems to have decided to hire the Korean giant for Pixel 3 display. Further, in the Pixel 3 teardown process, iFixit guys find that Google has applied a lot of glue for the rear glass panel. While opening all the parts, iFixit broke a few components. A ribbon cable and a speaker got damaged while opening the device.

Pixel 3 XL overall internal structure is same as that of Pixel 3. Everything is mapped at the same position as like of its predecessor. There’s a little change which includes a big wireless charging coil and a new speaker arrangement for better sound.

• Read More: Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL launched: Bigger Display, Wireless Charging & Better Cameras

Due to lots of glue, full glass panel and display at the bottom, reparability task is hampered. It needs extra precision and excellent skills to repair the Pixel 3 device. Ultimately, you can’t fix its parts manually. Instead, you have to buy the whole module if anything breaks in your device. Overall, Google Pixel 3 has received an unsatisfactory score of 4 out of 10 to repair it.

(Source)

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For the past two years, it has become kind of a tradition for flagships to go through a teardown, revealing whats exactly inside the device and how well has the company fitted components. We have seen a large number of teardowns from iFixit alone, and today, the OnePlus 2 flagship killer got the teardown treatment revealing the inner components of the smartphone.

The teardown reveals that OnePlus has done a great job with its new flagship model, making it much easier to repair as compared to the previous generation. iFixit gave OnePlus 2 a score of 7 out of 10 for its ease of repair. This means that if for some reason your OnePlus 2 needs repair, it won’t cost you a fortune.

There are a number of reasons for this. First of all, the company has used a non-proprietary screw heads which decreases the cost of tools. Also, most of the components inside are modular which means they can be replaced easily. Even the USB Type-C port which is attached used a flex cable can be easily replaced. The only problem you will encounter is while replacing the LCD and digitizer glass. They are fused together as one unit, so you will have to replace both of them.

So, in short, the OnePlus 2 can be repaired easily and without costing you much. This seems to be good news for its customers as nobody likes a phone which will cost you a fortune in repairs.

You can head over to iFixit for the detailed OnePlus 2 teardown

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