The iPhone 14 gets a major redesign that seems to make it the easiest iPhone ever to fix.
According to the new teardown i fix itthe internal structure of the iPhone 14 has been upgraded, fundamentally changing the internal structure of the phone.
“Apple completely redesigned the internals of the iPhone 14 to make it easier to repair,” said iFixit writer Kyle Wiens. “It’s not visible at all from the outside, but it’s important. It’s the most significant design change in an iPhone in a long time.”
Can you spot the lonely logic board hole?thanks @CreativeElctrn, you can! RIP SIM card reader 😢
Check out the iPhone 14 Pro Max teardown: https://t.co/X6S6dtbemF pic.twitter.com/EY9RcQPEDY
— iFixit (@iFixit) September 21, 2022
The iPhone 14 was released just 4 days ago, on September 16, 2022, and it has so few new features and external changes that many are directly comparing it to the iPhone 13. Underneath the shell, however, is another story.
iPhone 14 now opens from the front and The back features a stylish midframe, accessible screen, and removable rear glass. It was this new midframe that required a complete redesign of the old iPhone architecture.
“Apple didn’t mention the secret redesign in their keynote,” Wiens said. “If reviewers disassemble the phone, they’ll find this out…it’s an upgrade so seamless that the best tech reviewers in the world don’t notice.”
Over the years, Apple has wobbled between front and rear openings, each with pros and cons. Easy front access makes screen replacement easier, but replacing the battery or other internal components is much more difficult. Rear access is the opposite – easier access to the interior at the expense of more complicated screen replacements.
A new midframe seems to be the solution. The iPhone 14 back glass is held in place using only 2 screws and a connector, and the glue used is much less strong, making it easier to disassemble the phone. The best part? The same two screws also remove the screen, so you only need to remove 2 screws to access the front and back.
In addition, new EMI contacts are connected to the contacts that separate the rear panel, continuing the grounding previously done by soldering. The iPhone 14 also adds an upgraded camera, satellite SOS, and other improvements. Unfortunately, the old “system configuration” hurdle remains.
Apple has long tried to control iPhone repairs by using software to limit the use of aftermarket parts. However, Apple recently opened self-service repair shops to make repairs more accessible.
However, the rear glass of the iPhone 14 requires activation after installation. It’s a hurdle that makes fixing the iPhone 14 that much more difficult — and it’s still a real shame considering the phone’s architecture is a major step forward.
Still, the iPhone 14 is now the easiest iPhone ever to fix…even if there’s still progress. Note, however: the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models still use the old architecture.
Want to learn more about the iPhone 14? Check out our comparison of the latest iPhone 14 models to see how the iPhone 14 lacks the sim card tray.
Ryan Leston is an entertainment reporter and film critic for IGN.you can follow him Twitter.
