The more expensive iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are still equipped with the original style of glass backs with glued-in glue.
Apple’s (AAPL.O) iPhone 14 is now available. The iPhone 14 base model looks identical to its predecessor, however it is completely redesigned on the internals, and makes it simpler to repair scratches within the rear glass. Repair company iFixit announced in a blog post Monday.
Glass backs were returned for iPhones in 2017, however the manner in which they were attached meant they were difficult to replace. Apple could charge up to $599 to fix the glass back of certain models, however it was it was much lower for those who have AppleCare+, Apple’s device insurance program.
IFixit The company, which evaluates the repairability for consumer electronic devices, reported that on Monday that Apple has made significant changes in its iPhone 14 base model. The previous iPhones were equipped with back glass that was attached to the frame of the phone and was buried beneath other parts, which meant the device needed to be completely disassembled in order to fix it.
On the iPhone 14, the back glass is held with only two screws on one connector, which makes it simple to take off.
Related: According to the Nikkei, Aplpe intends to use TSMC’s latest chip technology in its iPhones and Macs.
Apple did not make mention of the internal design when it launched its iPhone 14 earlier this month. Apple did not respond immediately to a request for comments.
With the expense of previous repairs “everyone was just living with phones with tape on the back,” iFixit Chief Executive Kyle Wiens told Reuters. “This gives people a shot at getting them fixed. It also creates opportunities for local repair shops.”
The pricey iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max retain the original design of glass backs with glued-in glue. The iPhone has long been the focus of critics from the repair industry who claimed that the phones were so difficult to repair that people would be more inclined to dispose of them and get an upgrade.
Apple has slowly begun to take on the repair business in recent times as part of its efforts to reduce environmental impact. In the year 2019, Apple began selling manuals, tools and parts to repair shops that were independent. In the year prior, Apple began offering those products to the general public.
