iFixit, the renowned repairability website, has conducted an extensive teardown of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, revealing a blend of positive and negative aspects that have captured attention. Amidst the detailed analysis, the key point of contention remains Apple’s stringent “parts pairing” requirement, which continues to pose challenges for local repair shops. This requirement mandates that official components be ordered directly from Apple, and a phone call to a company representative is necessary before iOS accepts individual part replacements.
On the upside, iFixit commended Apple for reintroducing the “dual-entry” removable glass back cover in the iPhone 15 Pro models. This feature, initially introduced with the standard iPhone 14 line the previous year, has significant implications for consumers. “This marks a significant win for consumers as the cost of repairing the back glass on high-end models had previously reached exorbitant levels, sometimes amounting to as much as $550,” noted iFixit in its comprehensive teardown video.
However, the inspection of the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s titanium frame did not garner as much praise. While acknowledging that titanium production is less eco-friendly compared to stainless steel and aluminum, iFixit pointed out that this material is susceptible to easy scratching. In a somewhat tongue-in-cheek manner, the teardown video remarked, “Regrettably for the cool factor, we observed that the titanium shell’s color is prone to scratching, a phenomenon that only becomes apparent under the magnifying lens of a microscope. One could seemingly scratch this surface endlessly.”
In further exploration, iFixit discovered that the logic board in the iPhone 15 Pro Max appeared identical to that of the iPhone 15 Pro. Interestingly, accessing the battery-removal tabs necessitates the removal of the speaker and Taptic Engine. Notably, iFixit drew attention to the main and wide camera sensors, which closely resembled those found in the iPhone 14 Pro Max. This suggests that the primary hardware-based camera update this year is the “Tetraprism” periscope lens, enabling 5x optical zoom. iFixit asserted, “Any enhancements in image quality are primarily attributable to the new A17 SoC (System on a Chip) rather than intrinsic changes to the camera hardware.”
Critiquing Apple’s parts pairing practice seems to be an enduring theme in iFixit’s teardown assessments. The repair advocacy website has identified this as a substantial issue, even going so far as to revise the repairability score of the iPhone 14 from 7 out of 10 to a mere 4 out of 10 nearly a year after its launch due to this problem. The teardown video underlined the significance of this issue, stating, “Each year, new parts pairing challenges and bugs emerge. This year’s concern centers around the LiDAR sensor, which now triggers malfunctions if replaced. Whether it’s a calibration issue or not, these problems demand resolution; otherwise, these components might as well be permanently linked to the logic board with a small Apple warning stating, ‘This phone is the property of Apple.'”
Owing to the persisting parts pairing requirement, iFixit assigned the iPhone 15 Pro Max a meager repairability score of 4 out of 10. The verdict was clear: “This phone does not accommodate salvaged parts, complicates DIY repairs, and poses a significant challenge for local repair technicians,” cautioned the website.
The Ongoing Repairability Debate
The teardown of the iPhone 15 Pro Max illuminates the ongoing clash between consumer demand for repairability and the practices of tech giants like Apple. While consumers celebrate the return of the dual-entry glass back cover and the potential for more affordable repairs, the parts pairing hurdle remains a formidable roadblock.
The broader implications of this debate resonate far beyond the iPhone 15 Pro Max. It underscores the growing need for transparency and accessibility in the technology industry, as consumers and advocates alike call for the preservation of the right to repair. As devices become increasingly complex, the clash between innovation, sustainability, and consumer empowerment intensifies.
