While the latest generation of iPhones are aesthetically similar to the previous year’s model, tech repair experts iFixit have revealed the internal build is designed to make repairs a lot easier.

Interestingly, this is only apparent in the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus – the Pro models still have the previous hard-to-fix architecture.

“The back glass is simply secured with two screws and a single connector,” iFixit explains.

“Apple has seemingly used a slightly less aggressive adhesive, making opening it up a tad easier than screens of yore. And as a bonus, removing the exact same screws as the back glass gets you access to the screen. Just two screws, and both screen and back glass are immediately accessible. Incredible.”

This compares favorably with repairs on the iPhone X and subsequent models, which iFixit describes as “murder”.

“The easy part is removing every single component from the phone …The adhesive holding the back glass down is so powerful that none of our usual techniques of prying, heat, or chemicals budge it. Repair shops deploy a variety of aggressive shattering and scraping techniques to remove the glass while carefully working around the welded camera bezels. The “easiest” way uses a laser to systematically raster-vaporize the adhesive before then shattering and scraping the glass shards off with razor blades and cutting tools. At the very least, heavy duty gloves are required equipment if you don’t want to slice your hands open.”

Apple released its own Self Service Repair Kit in April, after increased pressure from various sustainability groups. These kits, with tools, and replacement parts, have been available to third-party repair stores since 2019, but never to consumers.

The kits are priced prohibitively, with official Apple repairs also expensive. These changes will open up the third-party repair market.

“Everyone was just living with phones with tape on the back,” iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens told Reuters.

“This gives people a shot at getting them fixed. It also creates opportunities for local repair shops.”

Interestingly, Apple is yet to mention this change in architecture.

Given the emphasis around environmental friendly practices in the tech world, you would think they’d be shouting this from the rooftops.

Perhaps Apple doesn’t wish to shine a light on the fact its Pro models remain frustratingly hard to repair.

Level 1, 275 Alfred Street North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia