Apple will soon offer better support for third-party iPhone displays and batteries to improve the repairability of its smartphones.
A common criticism leveled at Apple is that its hardware isn’t built to last. The fact that iPhone batteries and displays can usually only be replaced by official Apple stores and repair teams (at considerable expense) means that people can’t fix their smartphones themselves or with a cheaper third-party service provider, like Android users can.
Typically, a replacement iPhone battery will cost around $100, while a new screen can cost up to $250, depending on the specific device. However, Apple has launched various initiatives to improve its repair capability, such as expanding its self-service diagnostics tool to Europe. This gives customers in 32 countries an easy way to test products for potential problems.
More software features coming to third-party iPhone components
Apple has also published a white paper called Longevity, by design which outlines the company’s principles to “design for longevity.” The most important detail within it is that the tech giant will offer more software features for third-party iPhone components.
This means that features like True Tone, the way the iPhone display’s white balance automatically adjusts to better match your environment, will no longer be disabled when hardware elements like the display are replaced by third parties. This means that repairs won’t always need to go through Apple’s high cost streams.
Apple has noted that results may not be up to its usual standards, due to the fact that the True Tone variable relies on server-side calibration and detailed communication, but efforts are being made to improve the experience for customers. In addition, iPhone owners will be able to “deactivate True Tone in Settings if the display does not perform to their satisfaction.”
Battery metrics are also coming for third-party batteries, with the caveat that Apple cannot verify the information presented. The company is still clearly wary of third-party batteries, with the white paper including data from multiple tests that led to serious failures such as fires or explosions in some cases.
“We encourage all consumers to verify that the product meets rigorous security requirements,” Apple writes.
These changes will reportedly arrive in late 2024, indicating that iOS 18 Necessary expansion will need to be done.
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