iPhone 15 Pro Max teardown reveals a mixed bag for repairability

The teardown of the iPhone 15 Pro Max by iFixit has unveiled a rather complex picture when it comes to repairability. While there are both positive and negative aspects, the spotlight remains on the contentious issue of parts pairing, which continues to trouble local repair shops. This practice necessitates ordering official components directly from Apple and engaging in conversations with Apple employees just to get iOS to accept individual part replacements. It’s a bit like needing a secret handshake to fix your own device.

On a brighter note, iFixit commended Apple for reintroducing the “dual-entry” removable glass back cover with the iPhone 15 Pro models, a feature previously seen in the standard iPhone 14 line. This move is a victory for consumers, as repairing the back glass on high-end models used to be exorbitantly expensive, sometimes costing as much as $550. It’s almost as if Apple heard the collective sighs of relief from people who have accidentally shattered the back of their phones.

However, the praise ends when it comes to the phone’s titanium frame. While titanium might sound like something out of a superhero movie, iFixit found it to be less impressive. They noted that titanium is dirtier to produce than stainless steel and aluminum, taking a playful jab at Apple’s “Mother Nature” skit from its launch event. To add insult to injury, the site also pointed out that this material scratches easily. It’s almost as if they found a chink in the titanium armor, even if it’s only visible under a microscope. “I could scratch this thing up all day,” they quipped.

In other findings, iFixit revealed that the logic board of the iPhone 15 Pro Max appears to be identical to the one in the iPhone 15 Pro. To access the battery-removal tabs, you’ll need to remove the speaker and Taptic Engine. But here’s the kicker: the main and wide camera sensors on the iPhone 15 Pro Max seem identical to those on the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The only hardware-based camera update this year appears to be the “Tetraprism” periscope lens, enabling 5x optical zoom. So, any improvements in image quality might be more due to the new A17 SoC (System on a Chip) than the camera hardware itself.

However, the elephant in the teardown room remains parts pairing. iFixit seems determined to make this an ongoing focus of their Apple teardowns. They’ve been critical enough of this issue that they retroactively lowered the iPhone 14’s repairability score from 7 out of 10 to a dismal 4 out of 10 almost a year after its launch. And as per tradition, it seems each year brings new parts pairing problems and bugs. This time, it’s the LiDAR sensor that crashes if it’s swapped out. iFixit is sending a clear message: these issues need fixing; otherwise, iPhones might as well come with a tiny Apple warning saying, “Hey, this phone is property of Apple.”

Due to the vexing parts pairing requirement, iFixit has given the iPhone 15 Pro Max a paltry 4 out of 10 in terms of repairability. In their own words, this phone doesn’t play nice with salvaged parts, it makes at-home repairs a headache, and it’s no picnic for your local repair techs. In other words, it’s a tough nut to crack for anyone who dares to tinker with it. So, if you’re planning to take apart your iPhone 15 Pro Max anytime soon, be prepared for a challenging DIY adventure or a hefty repair bill.

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More about iPhone 15 Pro Max teardown

• iFixit’s iPhone 15 Pro Max teardown
• Apple’s parts pairing explanation
• iPhone 15 Pro Max features
• Titanium production and environmental impact
• A17 SoC and its role in iPhone performance
• iFixit’s stance on repairability