At the end of April, Apple launched an opportunity iPhone self repair in the USA. This program is designed so that device owners can repair their smartphone without leaving home and without contacting service centers. You just need to order the necessary spare parts and tools from the manufacturer. Initially, the launch was expected to occur in early 2022, but slight delays in deliveries pushed it to the spring. The company plans to expand such an opportunity to other countries, but everything will depend on the possibility of logistics.
In Europe, the program is expected to be launched before the end of 2022, but no further plans have been heard yet. With a probability of 99.9% in Russia, it will not be launched in the near future.
Do-it-yourself iPhone repair
Although Apple initially stated that all equipment would be available for self-repair, it is possible at the start fix only iPhone and that’s not all. The following models are included in this program:
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone SE 3rd generation
Detailed instructions for each gadget are posted on the Apple website in PDF format. Nothing else can be done right now. Each manual describes each step in detail with the right parts and tools that will be needed during the repair.
iPhone Repair Tools
As part of self-repair, the following components can be replaced:
- Battery
- speaker
- Camera
- Screen
- SIM tray
- Taptic Engine
All jobs require special toolswhich can be taken in rent from Apple and not overpay for their purchase. The rent is $49 per week, but a $1200 deposit is required to guarantee a refund. If any of the tools in the kit are damaged or lost, the user will be charged the full cost of the tool.
But not even the price of rent or a fine scares away, but the size of the repair kit. The tools come in two huge suitcases with a total weight of around 35 kilograms! This is a large enough weight so that we can say that self-repair is convenient. Apple even released instructions on the website on how to properly carry such weight.
iPhone repair cost
Let’s try to calculate how profitable it is to engage renovation using the iPhone 13 as an example. It should immediately be noted that since none of us have most of the specialized tools, it is imperative to include the cost of renting tools in the amount of $49 in the final price. It is also possible to return the old component and get a discount on the final repair, we also include this in the price and get the following numbers for the iPhone 13:
- Battery Replacement – $95.84
- Speaker Replacement – $92.64
- Camera Replacement – $113.54
- Display Replacement – $285.35
- SIM tray replacement – $7.20 (no special tools required)
- Taptic Engine Replacement – $92.64
And this is not counting the time you spent on studying the instructions and on the repair itself. For comparison, replacing the battery at a branded service center costs $69, and the display costs $279. Of course, all these prices are relevant for the US market, but the fact remains that this program was launched just for the sake of the launch itself. There is another limitation, which they try not to talk about out loud. Parts can be ordered under a specific serial number and IMEI your device.
That is, if some authorized service center wants to create a stock of spare parts, then this will not work. Apple will supply components only for a specific device. Plus, installing a screen, for example, requires you to contact Apple and have online support remotely verify that the installation is correct.
It is unlikely that an ordinary user, not an enthusiast of technology and technology, will decide on such an experiment with his gadget, especially if he has never done this before.
