Ifixit gives the iPhone 16 Pro series an unusually high repairability rating

Ifixit recently put a screwdriver into the iPhone 16 and was able to point out that Apple's latest smartphone is extraordinarily easy to repair. Now too Pro models have been dismantled.

Particular praise was given to the ability to access components such as the battery, speakers and cameras without having to take the awkward turn across the screen. In iPhone 16 Pro models, these parts can now be accessed by opening the back of the phone. Additionally, the USB-C port should be easier to repair than before, and the lidar module can be replaced separately.

Another new discovery is that the iPhone 16 Pro battery is encased in an aluminum casing, likely to improve heat dissipation and provide protection during repairs. This design change is liked by Ifixit, because it reduces the risk of damage that could lead to a short circuit or fire. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro models don't get the same simplified battery separation system as the iPhone 16, where the glue holding the battery in place can be melted by an electric current.

Ifixit gives the iPhone 16 Pro models a score of 7 out of 10 for repairability, which is the same as the iPhone 16, and higher than what Apple phones typically get. Last year, for example, the entire iPhone 15 family received a rating of 4 out of 10.

The need for special tools drags down the iPhone 16 Pro's final score, and Ifixit points out that, after all, the phones in their current form are unlikely to live up to EU requirements for replaceable batteries, which come into effect in 2027.