As part of a long-standing tradition, iFixit has conducted a comprehensive teardown of the newly launched iPhone Air. While these teardowns had become somewhat routine due to Apple's consistent design approach, the innovative design of the iPhone Air provided a fresh opportunity for insightful observations.
In the teardown, iFixit noted that many of the critical components, including the entire logic board, are clustered at the top of the device. This design choice is significant because the majority of the iPhone Air's middle and body is dedicated to housing a substantial battery. Interestingly, this battery is identical to the one found in Apple’s iPhone Air MagSafe battery pack, allowing users to seamlessly swap batteries between the two devices without any compatibility issues.
The positioning of the battery, which occupies about two-thirds of the device, also addresses the issues experienced with previous models, such as Bendgate. In past iPhones, the logic board was often damaged under pressure in the middle of the device, leading to performance problems. However, with the logic board now situated at the top, the likelihood of bending is significantly reduced, and the more resilient battery design further enhances the overall durability of the iPhone Air.
The primary objective of these teardowns is to evaluate the repairability and serviceability of smartphones, and iFixit rated the iPhone Air higher than many might anticipate. Contrary to common assumptions that smaller, thinner devices are harder to repair, iFixit’s teardown findings suggest that the slim design actually facilitates easier access to components. The reduced layering of parts means that users can more readily service components such as the USB-C connector and the battery.
Thanks to these design improvements and the implementation of a dual-entry system, the iPhone Air received a provisional repairability score of 7 out of 10 from iFixit. This score is commendable for a smartphone, indicating that while there is always room for enhancement, the iPhone Air stands out in its category for user-friendliness in repairs.
For those interested in a more detailed look at the teardown process, you can visit the iFixit website or check out their YouTube channel for the full breakdown and analysis.
