A new smartphone is supposed to work for several years, but technology tends to disappoint us and even brand new devices can break down within a short period of time. It’s not something you expect, but if it is, it’s a problem to deal with. The extent of these problems, however, depends greatly on the brand of smartphone you own.
According to the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Failing the Fix report, Apple smartphones are considered the least repairable phones you can get. Out of 105 different devices tested, Apple’s iPhone had the lowest score among the listed phone developers in terms of repairability. Having received a D-, Apple is considered the least repairable smartphone you can buy. The reason for such a low score is Apple’s parts matching and software restrictions that can make repairs much more difficult. While websites like iFixit make DIY repairs easy with repair guides and easily accessible parts, repairing an iPhone remains a challenge.
What’s wrong with repairing iPhones?
Repairing an iPhone yourself can be a more difficult task than other smartphones. Although it is not impossible to repair an iPhone, they are considered the least repairable due to the difficulty required to begin repairs. Apple includes guides on how to repair its phones, but limits the use of cheaper third-party parts for some repairs such as Face ID. Additionally, using third-party parts may result in error messages or loss of some functionality. Cost is another factor that makes iPhones less repairable. Many users on Reddit suggest using a service like iFixit rather than Apple’s Genius Bar because it may be cheaper and includes the necessary parts.
PIRG gave Apple a dismal grade of D- based on the European Union’s European Product Register for Energy Labeling (EPREL). EPREL follows its ecodesign criteria required for phones to meet high repairability criteria. These include dismantling and repair rules according to which state manufacturers must make spare parts available within 5 to 10 working days and seven years after the end of sales of a product.
Some Apple phones are better than others
A device is considered repairable if it meets certain requirements such as its ability to be disassembled, availability of parts, and accessibility to instructions provided or recommended by the manufacturer. IFixit, on the other hand, found that Apple smartphones may not be that difficult to repair, but agrees that they can be difficult to take apart, which is essentially the first step in the repair process.
Several Apple smartphones, including the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 16e, had the same disassembly issues. The main problem was that all Apple phones were considered complicated to take apart because they had four or even up to five types of screw heads and the use of adhesives made access to the components difficult. If you want to access the interior, you will need a few different sized screwdrivers. This is not only annoying, but it can also mean you have to spend more on tools to even complete the repairs in the first place.
Apple smartphones may be difficult to open, but the second least repairable phone was Samsung. The company is widely considered the best Android phone brand in terms of customer satisfaction, but repairing one can be a real chore. Although Apple and Samsung are two of the most well-known smartphone manufacturers, they can cost you more in repairs if they break.
