Easy iPhone 16 repair: Apple is implementing it (too) thanks to the EU

When repair shops or (soon) hobbyists take a look at the iPhone 16, they will see that Apple has made some optimizations in repairability. The company confirmed this to the US media this week. That’s about it “The most repairable iPhone ever”Writes Tom’s Guide, with whom Apple shares innovations.

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Five areas optimized

The TrueDepth camera modules used for Face ID facial recognition can now be exchanged with each other – no matter which iPhone 16 model it is. You can now calibrate or configure the unit directly on the iPhone without the need for a Mac computer. On the two iPhone 16 Pro models (Pro and Pro Max), you can now repair the LIDAR scanner installed on the back without replacing the entire module.

According to Apple, this has “made access to components easier”; opening the device and reaching certain points in the system (which, however, were not explicitly mentioned) should now be associated with less stress. The last optimization concerns the battery in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus: it is now held in place by a special adhesive that can be detached using voltage (a 9-volt battery is sufficient). The group previously used so-called pull taps here, which have to be replaced after removal.

The EU is partly “to blame”

The easy removal of the battery may have something to do with the fact that the EU decided in the summer Replacing the battery in your smartphone just got easier Force majeure. The regulation introduces labelling and information requirements, including with regard to battery components and recycled materials, Heise Online wrote about this in the summer. In addition, there is also a digital battery pass in the form of a QR code for high-performance batteries.

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However, this hasn’t become law; it probably won’t be until 2027. Still, it seems Apple is already preparing for it, at least for its standard iPhones. The EU goes even further than the company: it demands that users be able to “easily remove and replace” the battery themselves. Electrically induced removal may be only the first step.

(B.Sc.)