iFixit and JerryRigEverything have conducted teardowns on the iPhone 15 Pro.
Apple has made it easy to replace the glass back panel on the newer iPhones.
The structure of other internal components has remained complicated to repair, as per the teardowns.
Apple has started shipping orders for the iPhone 15 Series since September 22. The device has been all over the internet with Apple’s long-awaited switch to the USB Type-C port, along with the introduction of dynamic island on the base model iPhone 15.
iFixit has now conducted a teardown of the iPhone 15 Pro, along with other models in the iPhone 15 Series. The teardown reveals the repairability of the device, a segment where iPhones have always faced criticism for being hard-to-repair smartphones.
iPhone 15 Pro Teardown: You Still Can’t Fix It Easily
Apple has used a new rear mount technique in the iPhone 15 Series, to attach the glass back panel to the main frame. This makes it very easy to remove the glass back panel, without hampering the wireless charging pad and other components.
Previously, Apple used to glue the glass back panel directly on the rear components, making it very difficult to replace a cracked back panel. The company has finally addressed this concern, which is reflected in a cheaper repair cost for back glass replacement on the iPhone 15 Series.
Image: iFixit
Apple is using a three-layer design on the newer iPhones, which consists of the display, the main frame, and the rear glass panel. However, iFixit recommends that repairs should be conducted only by removing the glass back panel, as trying to remove the display can result in damaging the display panel.
On one side, Apple is trying the modular approach where each individual component can be removed and replaced separately, without changing other parts. This is evident from the new modular microphone module on the iPhone 15 Series.
Modular Microphone on iPhone 15 Pro (iFixit)
However, Apple has made it equally difficult to replace the USB Type-C port. In case your USB-C port needs a replacement, you will have to remove the battery, taptic engine, and all other components before you can even access the USB Type-C module.
USB-C Module on iPhone 15 Pro Max (JerryRigEverything)
The good thing is that Apple is not using serialized USB-C ports on the iPhone 15. This means that replacing the USB-C port on your iPhone will not affect the functionality of the port. For reference, Apple started using serialized Touch ID on the iPhone 6. If the Touch ID on your iPhone was replaced, you could no longer use biometric authentication on your iPhone.
Rivets attaching titanium frame to the aluminium chassis on iPhone 15 Pro Max (JerryRigEverything)
Furthermore, the teardown reveals that Apple is using a rivet design, along with an epoxy-based adhesive to attach the titanium frame to the aluminium chassis on the iPhone 15 Pro, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The Qualcomm X70 5G modem is clearly visible on the iPhone 15 Series. Although Apple has been trying to develop in-house modems for a while, the company will continue to source Qualcomm modems for its iPhones up to 2026.
Qualcomm X70 Modem on iPhone 15 Series (iFixit)
The camera teardown reveals the periscope lens on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which enables 5X optical zoom on the top model iPhone. Apple has continued to use sensor-shift OIS on the iPhone 15, as compared to lens-based OIS.
Periscope Lens on iPhone 15 Pro Max (JerryRigEverything)
iFixit also reports that Apple is using larger-sized screws for the camera module on the iPhone 15 Series. Here’s a size comparison for the camera screws between the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 15.
Camera screw size comparison between iPhone 15 (Top) and iPhone 14 (Bottom) – iFixit
It is worth noting Apple has continued to use serialized Face ID on the iPhone 15. If you damage the physical Face ID unit of your new iPhone, then you will be required to take it to the Apple Service Center and opt for a complete motherboard replacement.
Overall, the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max are extremely difficult to repair. Although Apple supports Self Service Repair, the internal structure of the iPhone 15 Series is so complicated, that it is recommended to visit an expert, rather than attempting the repair on your own.
The only good thing with the iPhone 15 Series is the easy-to-replace back panel. Otherwise, iPhones continue to be the hardest devices to repair, even for a basic battery replacement.
