The Vergecast Tearing down the iPhone 12 with iFixit
Nov 3, 2020
Join Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit and a passionate advocate for the right to repair, alongside Kay-Kay Clapp, the company’s content director who brings teardowns to life. They dive deep into the complexities of the iPhone 12 teardown, tackling its design challenges and the environmental implications of repairability. Discussing the pressing need for legislation to support the right to repair, they share personal anecdotes and insights that empower consumers to push for sustainable tech practices. Refurbished tech also gets a spotlight, highlighting its value.
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Extreme Measures
- iFixit sometimes uses unusual methods to open devices.
- They once froze a phone while simultaneously heating another to find entry points.
Repairability Scoring
- iFixit's repairability scores (0-10) consider common repairs like screens and batteries.
- Scores factor in tool availability, with proprietary tools lowering scores.
Pentalobe Screws
- Apple's use of pentalobe screws externally but not internally suggests a motive to limit repairs, not a technical advantage.
- This move from standard Philips screws started with the iPhone 4.