Is This the End of the Repairable iPhone? (ifixit.com) 76
iFixit: After exhaustive testing, comparing notes with multiple repair technicians, and reviewing leaked Apple training documents, we've found that the iPhone 12 camera is entirely unreliable when swapped between iPhones. This latest fault, along with indications from Apple's repair guides, makes it more clear than ever: Apple, by design or neglect or both, is making it extremely hard to repair an iPhone without their blessing. This may be a bug that Apple eventually fixes. There is even precedent for iPhone parts misbehaving when swapped between phones.
But it is also possible that Apple is planning on locking out all unauthorized iPhone camera and screen repairs. Apple's internal training guides tell authorized technicians that, starting with the 12 and its variants, they will need to run Apple's proprietary, cloud-linked System Configuration app to fully repair cameras and screens. We are very concerned about this possibility.
But it is also possible that Apple is planning on locking out all unauthorized iPhone camera and screen repairs. Apple's internal training guides tell authorized technicians that, starting with the 12 and its variants, they will need to run Apple's proprietary, cloud-linked System Configuration app to fully repair cameras and screens. We are very concerned about this possibility.
For the environment (Score:5, Insightful)
This to me points to the fact that they really don't care about the environment. All that talk about not including a charger for the environment is just made up garbage to get people to spend more on accessories.
This level of locking stuff down should be illegal. There is no valid reason to now allow swapping camera modules or other components between phones. If there's some kind of hardware in the camera that is really important for security that they have to verify it, then that component should be moved to the other end of the cable and placed on the logic board so that parts can be easily exchanged.
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This level of locking stuff down should be illegal.
Why? It's up to you to decide whether or not you want to buy the phone. What should be mandatory is informing you prior to your purchase that you can't repair the phone yourself, or have it serviced by a non-Apple technician.
There is no valid reason to now allow swapping camera modules or other components between phones.
There is. Go read some books about cold-war era spy tricks. The CIA, KGB, Stasi, and Mossad, were all masters in hiding microphones and cameras. In today's world, it's possible to redesign a small component, such as an iphone camera, with a microphone or perhaps a tracking device. What'
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since 99% of ppl are shortsighted, snobby and only tickled by instant gratification.
However you feel about Apple's customerbase, however true or false that may be, is irrelevant.
In the end, it's the customer's choice.
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>purchases endorse practices
No they don't. I have no idea where my food or clothes or such come from. I have no idea what labor practices were behind them. If I oppose scummy practices and want help from your invisible magic hand it requires informed consumers. Or did you skip that part of the definition?
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Weird. Look closely at your clothes. Literally every item you wear (excepting socks, I guess) will have a label saying clearly stating where it is made. It is a requirement of US customs and it will be visible in the store (even for socks, where it's on the packaging).
Genuinely surprised that you never noticed this.
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Because it is not up to you!
That is the whole point!
How do you not get parametrized monopolism? Like parametrized by location or vendor lock-in or other situations where you do not *actually* have a choice, or soon won't, if things are left to run their course.
Can you really not see where this is headed?
Or are you in denial because you can't accept it?
I'm sorry: Business is an asshole contest.
Go ahead. Try to buy a phone that has a battery that can be quickly swapped for a full one on the go. Or a keyboard.
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Because it is not up to you!
If you don't like it, don't buy it.
How do you not get parametrized monopolism? Like parametrized by location or vendor lock-in or other situations where you do not *actually* have a choice, or soon won't, if things are left to run their course.
Nobody forces you to buy Apple products. In fact, there is an article on the same frontpage that says that Apple is not even the market leader in smartphones.
The EU will kill this bullshit soon.
Ah yes, the good old EUSSR again. At some point, they will realize that American companies are sick and tired of being prescribed the law by the very same folks that needed our assets to save their asses from Adolf.
Imagine what would happen if Apple decides to halt sales in Europe because it does not need the unelec
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Ah yes, the good old EUSSR again. At some point, they will realize that American companies are sick and tired of being prescribed the law by the very same folks that needed our assets to save their asses from Adolf.
Yeah, the EU has all sorts of business-killing regulations, like the ones that say you have to honor warranties, the ones that say your product has to do what the advertising says it does, etc. We used to have those in the USA too, until the Reaganites decided that just 'running the government like a business' wasn't enough, it was better to sell the government to business. So much better having business write the laws they want and send them to Congress for the rubber stamp. You want to safety-inspect yo
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like the ones that say you have to honor warranties, the ones that say your product has to do what the advertising says it does, etc. We used to have those in the USA too,
How your flamebait got modded up goes beyond me. The FTC is quite strong when it comes to both things your mentioning.
You want to safety-inspect your own airplanes?
Happens in the EUSSR as well. Certified AMEs perform the inspection. Hell, I'm a pilot and I do a safety inspection before every flight myself.
The marketing of bullshit products that don't work, happens in the EUSSR as well. I lived there for 34 years.
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The FTC is quite strong when it comes to both things your mentioning.
It really isn't.
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At some point, they will realize that American companies are sick and tired of being prescribed the law
Good for the goose is sauce for the gander. Nobody is forcing Apple do any business at all in the EU. I guess they must like the deal they get there well enough.
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You could really use some ex-lax.
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What you are describing - the free market solution to the non-repairable phone problem - would only work if the environmental costs of the phone were paid by the phone buyer. That $1000 phone should maybe cost $1200 when you factor environmental costs in. At this point, a competitive $1100 repairable phone might sound attractive but it wasn't before.
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Probably cost more than that factoring in the environmental costs of production as well, raw material mining, carbon output from energy used in production in uncivilized countries where that sort of thing isn't regulated, etc.
Apple can primarily exist and sell their mediocre products at a premium in the USA (as opposed to, say, the EU) only because the USA, like the rest of the Third World, is big on unresolved externalities.
It also helps that the USA population is a throwaway culture very interested in pla
Normally, I'd agree with you, but (Score:4, Insightful)
Apple, and likely many of their employees and fans, routinely back public policy proposals that FORCE average people to move in more supposedly eco-friendly directions.
The same people who support/love the environmentally-hostile apple products and policies are commonly found supporting bans on plastic shopping bags, plastic water bottles, plastic straws, calling for an end to gas-powered cars, pushing mass transit, turning down thermostats in the winter, fussing about storm drain runoff, opposing logging, etc - ALL of it nearly always backed-up by some form of government FORCE.
When Apple and its supporters have well-established track records of supporting eco-friendly policies being imposed by government order on everybody else, the previous poster can hardly be seen as abusive to suggest FORCE be applied to make Apple more eco-friendly. Apple behaves like a monarch here ("laws for thee, but not for me").
It's a matter of consistency for me. I'd really prefer a whole lot less force in all directions, and more encouragement for everybody to simply voluntarily do better. Note: US carbon emissions have been improving in the ABSENSE of the Paris Accords - sometimes new tech and the free market and simple good will combine to outperform dictats and force.
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And of course, the vast majority of iPhone owning hipsters are in imminent danger of being spied on by the CIA, KGB, Stasi, and Mossad, probably Xenu as well.
Re:For the environment (Score:4, Informative)
There are plenty of valid reasons for making a peripheral component untrusted if it cannot prove itself to the device it is connected to, most of which are self-evident, like a replacement camera that steals your personal data in some manner.
The other side of the equation, is why would you want to swap the camera on the latest iPhone that has only been on sale for a few days? If it goes wrong, take it back to Apple, and if you are really worried, get AppleCare for 3 years which will likely be not far off the cost of a non-Apple new camera plus labour, etc. If you smashed it to bits, claim on the insurance. By 2024 when it is out of cover there will be a workaround and/or official repairs will likely be pretty cheap. iFixit clickbait if you ask me.
If they really did not want it to be repairable, they would fill it full of glue like some of their devices in the past...
good for consumers to know (Score:4, Insightful)
why would you want to swap the camera on the latest iPhone that has only been on sale for a few days?
To test if the phone is possible to repair with leftover parts from broken phones. Which is a nice piece of information for consumers to know when buying, even if the phones are under warranty now. Price and availability of repair will be affected if such schemes are used. It's also quite anti-competitive, of course.
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Nobody bitches because they have to take their BMW to the dealer to get their new car battery registered so the 12 volt system isn't damaged.
I'm sorry, but I'd be rather pissed off if I had to take a car to a dealership and shell out instead of you know, buying a car battery and swapping it in myself.
Apple fanbois will love it! (Score:4, Interesting)
For those few who are still clueless about Apple's business model, this should give them another hint.
Don't know why anyone would buy into Apples closed HW and SW ecosystem. I guess the lure of looking "cool" is strong.
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Don't know why anyone would buy into Apples closed HW and SW ecosystem. I guess the lure of looking "cool" is strong.
iPhone: can't live with it, can't get laid without it.
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Oh dear, another Generation Z that won't know what to do without a phone.
You would have found my joke funnier if you knew both that I'm old enough to be your daddy and that I don't own any smartphone, let alone an iPhone.
Viva la Résistance!
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Very insightful, no one has ever slagged iPhones on /. before. (BTW, I own the cheapest Samsung phone I can get away with and have no intention of buying an iPhone)
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Kind of hard to communicate with your group of friends when they're all on iMessage and you're stuck battling SMS limitations.
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There are other cross platform messaging apps that you and your friends could use.
I prefer friends... (Score:2)
Re:Apple fanbois will love it! (Score:5, Insightful)
Simple: Apple doesn't sell electronic.
They sell jewelry.
It's 100% vanity.
Ego compensation.
The feeling of looking cool and modern and clueful.
Obviously only to other like them, who think that is modern or clueful.
When really, it's only modern in the sense that it is the current equivalent of printing out your e-mail from the series of tubes.
Re:Apple fanbois will love it! (Score:4, Insightful)
Apple also sells security.
I buy and support hardware for several family members, none of which are all that technically inclined. I'm much more confident that I won't be cleaning off malware and helping them deal with stolen identities due to such malware from iPhones than Android phones. The potential time involved for that stuff is not negligible, and has value to me. For my kid, I'm certain he's not going to be able to install any crap without my say-so on his phone (5-year-old iPhone 6s hand-me-down that still works btw, and has current updated software). That's a really big deal once he starts taking the phone places without me.
This may not be for you. On the other hand, I love it. I really don't want this to go away - there's no comparable alternative available that has the breadth of capabilities and available software the iPhones and iPads provide.
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While I agree with you, when I got my first smartphone (had a dumb one and a nokia 770 mini tablet for a while first) I *really* wanted an Android, but the OS interface and operations Just Didn't Work for me.
I'm a weird one with phones tho. I use it mostly for ... a phone. Followed by texting, limited web browsing (like 4 or 5 sites, almost all text w/ minimal images etc), mp3 playing, and book reading. Pre-covid (and being at wireless 99% of the time) I would average 150mb of data per month. Everything
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Simple: Apple doesn't sell electronic.
They sell jewelry.
Except for the watch. Horridly ugly thing compared to Samsung etc, but more functional.
Quite the opposite of what you expect from Apple.
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I guess the lure of looking "cool" is strong.
You know, I hear this constantly from people online, but of the many people I know with iPhone smartphones, not a single one of them considers it a fashion accessory or signal of wealth -- including me.
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Apple makes exceptionally clean hardware and software. If only they weren't so evil...
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Don't know why anyone would buy into Apples closed HW and SW ecosystem.
Because the other options are selling your soul to Google (or using de-Googled Android where nearly nothing works properly), or using a dumbphone. If we lived in a perfect world, my car would run on unicorn farts, Impossible burger would cost the same as genuine dead cow, I'd have more than one choice of broadband providers, and Apple would have a competitor that produced smartphones with the same form factor, build quality, 3rd party app support, and respect for privacy.
But my car runs on gas, Impossible
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How many phone customers even faintly understand hardware and software?
Technology is magic to most people. Techies tend to forget we're a tiny percentage of the population.
Re: Apple fanbois will love it! (Score:2)
Apple counts on that ignorance. They claim the best everything and people believe it.
Hi Tech (Score:3, Insightful)
Maybe the manufacturing process for the phone simply doesn't account or allow for repairs. Before I defected to an Android phone last year, I had a new iPhone every year. I still have the original in a box. I never had a problem with any of them. In fact, I gave my old 5s to a friend when I updated to a six and he used it for three more years. My point is that most folks want to have the latest, most technologically advanced phone and there is probably very little concern for service because the devices are so reliable. Now if you can't replace the screen, that's another issue but a camera swap may be complicated if there is any sort of calibration or alignment required to make it work. As a manufacturer Apple has never been a fan of updates outside of their ecosystem. I am not defending or supporting them but the bottom line is that if you don't like Apple, don't buy their stuff.
Re: Hi Tech (Score:3, Informative)
Irrelevant to Apple customers who matter. (Score:3)
If you can afford expensive toys you can afford to destroy them. If the cost hurts don't buy them. If you make tech money the cost should be background noise.
I immediately resented Apples OS and hardware model decades ago and avoided them since but IDGAF if others prefer them and they should buy what they like. The faults of Android and in particular bundled shitware are what make Apple most attractive. Android vendors have no concept of software quality though they offer some very nice hardware.
Re:Irrelevant to Apple customers who matter. (Score:4, Informative)
If you can afford expensive toys you can afford to destroy them.
That's one of the problem with iPhones. Many people who can't afford them buy them anyways. Carriers pay on 24 months plans are in part to blame for that.
Apple digging their own grave. (Score:1)
Yeah well ... the way I see it, Apple is digging their own grave.
This won't go over well with the EU.
Maybe with the anarcho-libertarians that feed off of Trump right now.
But that won't help one bit on a global level. If China and Russia are done with them, they will dream back of how nice the EU treated them in comparison.
Even if only foreign competitors in foreign regions (with the help of foreign regulators) standing ready to push them into said grave.
Re:Apple digging their own grave. (Score:4, Funny)
Apple is digging their own grave.
With an approved iShovel, of course.
Post manufacturing calibration? (Score:5, Insightful)
Think about the color calibration of the screen, I would assume they also do the same with the camera sensors and pretty much every other sensor on the thing. Otherwise it's close to impossible to get uniform results on different iPhones.
This poses the question is what's the effect of swapping in a sensor when the calibration profiles don't match. I would definitely expect some issues unless you can transfer the profiles across phones (which likely requires some custom tooling).
Re: Post manufacturing calibration? (Score:2)
Cameras come with chips containing firmware. The calibration you're talking about happens by the camera module OEM (which is not apple) and is on the camera module itself, already done by the time apple gets the modules.
You assume too much (Score:5, Interesting)
Having worked in the digital multimedia industry, you're assuming too much.
In the first place, most LCDs are not adjustable at all - if you want to adjust the gamma or the drive levels of R, G, and B, you must do that with software - you control the backlight drive, and actually change the RGB values in the image you want to display. Or, in some cases, you program the video driver to do that for you.
With respect to cameras, I've never heard of factory-level adjustments. Typically, adjustment/calibration of the camera sensor is an ongoing, closed-loop process, done by software. While some more-expensive sensors may be able to adjust the analog gains, it is my belief Apple is likely using a very inexpensive sensor and marketing itself well. What is not generally known among the general public is that with raw access to the camera sensor itself (most of them, not necessarily Apple's), you can program the device for insane frame rates (500+ fps, albeit at lower resolution), or low light situations (night vision at 2-3 fps), or full resolution with oversampling (again, making a frame-rate tradeoff). Most consumer devices do not fully exploit the capabilities of the camera, because quite honestly, critics would a pan a night-vision camera for its slow frame rate; a 500 fps camera for its lack of resolution, and full resolution image for its inability to capture motion well. By constraining the camera to more "median" performance, they can avoid support questions, frustrated critics, and having to explain cool features to the marketing department in terms they can understand.
The consistency between screens and cameras is more likely an artifact of Apple's specifications and modern manufacturing than any calibration process done by Apple itself. Actually performing adjustments on an assembly line is going the way of the dodo - manufacturers do not want to spend even 30 seconds per device, if possible. The only electronics I've seen which still required manufacturing adjustments were old tube-type amplifiers and high end instrumentation (i.e. tens of thousands of dollars) devices. For at least the past two decades, consumer electronics engineers have been expected to produce designs that require no factory calibration or adjustment at all - no matter how trivial.
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I think. (Score:2)
This is why you should ignore their privacy BS (Score:2)
This is why you should ignore their privacy marketing BS. It's really intended for stuff like this: to lock you out of your own hardware, in the name of "protecting" you from nebulous outsiders who might want to bug your iPhone.
I guarantee that one of the reasons Apple gives for why you can't just move cameras is to ensure that someone doesn't "bug" your phone with a camera that phones home. Same with the display.
I've already seen this prevent Apple themselves from repairing a phone: my mom dropped her iPho
It'll sure drive a lot more leasing (Score:2)
Apple is copying the BMW or Mercedes model, which isn't shocking given how big the Venn diagram overlap is here. German cars are certainly still repairable outside a dealership, but there are enough single-source parts and expensive diagnostic tools to discourage it. They don't want you buying a new S-class Mercedes for 6 figures one time, they want you to pay thousands a month forever and just swap them out every 3 years. If you need a repair, just bring your leased car back to the dealer (like the Apple s
Bye Apple (Score:2)
It’s crap like this that has me and my family leaving the Apple ecosystem. The only smartphone I’ve ever owned is an iPhone. My next one will absolutely be an Android, probably a Pixel.
I mostly moved back to Windows for my desktop when my old Mac Pro tower stopped getting OS updates. The cylinder was lame and the new Mac Pro is crazy expensive compared to what Mac Pros used to be. I partially regret buying my last laptop as a MacBook Pro. The touch bar is utterly useless and the keyboard sucks a
End of the buyable I-phone (Score:2, Interesting)
Why anybody would waste their money on a phone from Apple is beyond me. Android phones offer so much more value, and they don't suck away IQ points like Apple products. Yet, this may be true: Apple has incorporated secret circuitry into their products that slowly transfer your IQ points into Apple's share price. That's how it works. Apple... if you don't want your brains sucked slowly away until you have nothing left but a walking organ bank and an empty bank account, then just say no. If you can still say
So how do they get around right to repair laws? (Score:2)
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The "right to repair" law only guarantees that something is repairable. It doesn't guarantee that your grandma should be able to repair it.
Now it's up to you to find someone who can. In this case, there is no one else other than Apple who can. If people cry about this, Apple is going to quote that the line between replacement and repair is arbitrary. For example, nobody "repairs" LCD screens, they are just replaced. Apple can claim that replacement = repair even when it comes to an entire phone.
This is why
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Yes, it's obvious that "repair" can include wholesale replacement of any malfunctioning components.
But replacing a screen != replacing an entire phone.
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The problem lies in the definition of component. Is the iPhone a single component. Or is it a composite of the screen, battery, processor etc. How far should replaceability go ? Individual phones, or their components, or the modules of components, individual capacitors and transistors ? Silicon atoms ?
I am not trying to be facetious. I am saying that it depends entirely on what your definition of a replaceable component is. Most people have a "reasonable" definition of it, but in the end, the definition is
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If the phone is composed of parts that are themselves individually available separate from the phone, and are only integrated into the phone as distinct steps during the phone's assembly, then no.
Examples of distinct components of a phone would typically be the main circuit board, the screen, the housing, the battery (unless specifically engineered to be waterpoof and requiring a watertight battery compartment), and any physical switches or connectors that are accessible f
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> If the phone is composed of parts that are themselves individually available separate from the phone, and are only integrated into the phone as distinct steps during the phone's assembly, then no.
Apple goes to some length to ensure that many individual components are not separately available.
>Examples of distinct components of a phone would typically be the main circuit board, the screen, the housing, the battery (unless specifically engineered to be waterpoof and requiring a watertight battery comp
... about this... (Score:2)
"possibility".
No! (Score:2)
It's not the end, it's against the law.
It's against Betteridge's law of headlines with a question mark.
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I don't want my phone to be repairable (Score:2)