Apple has loosened its grip on iPhone repairability in recent years. The company already offers self-repair options for several models, including the iPhone 15 series. However, a hobbyist willing to take matters into their own hands still needs technical knowledge and special toolkits to rent from Apple.
One area where Apple is trying to make some improvements is the battery department. Apple is reportedly working to make the battery removal process a little easier, though it will still require the user to disassemble the device first.
In the current setup, tweezers are used to pull out adhesive strips before removing the battery. A machine and tray are used to install the new battery. Apple is testing a process called electrically induced debonding, where the battery is wrapped in metal instead of foil. This allows the battery to quickly disconnect from the chassis by applying voltage.
the information (Through Apple Insider) has learned from five people involved in the production process that the proposed change may arrive this year, with at least one iPhone 16 model. This could trickle down to the iPhone 17 series if all goes well.
While this may not match the ease of snap-opening decade-old phones, it’s a step towards a relatively easy-to-repair iPhone battery. Last year, the European Union issued new rules requiring all smartphones to have user-replaceable batteries by 2027.
iPhones are among the most waterproof smartphones out there and undergo extensive testing to make sure there is no water ingress, a common problem during the iPhone’s early days. Apple said it had improved the devices over the years to minimize these glitches, which came at the cost of repairability.
According to the company, “you can really do the math” and understand a threshold between durability and repairability. However, Apple seems to be making things easier, not just for the iPhone but for other products as well. During teardown of the M4 iPad Pro, iFixit found that the device’s battery can be removed without removing any major components.