Apple Says These Five Changes Make iPhone 16 Models Easier to Repair

Apple has informed publications including Tom's Guide and Engadget about some repair-friendly design and policy changes pertaining to the iPhone 16 series.

iPhone 16 Pro Internal
In addition to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus having an easier electrically-induced battery removal process, Apple outlined the following changes:

  • On-device configuration is now available for Face ID's TrueDepth camera on the iPhone 12 series and newer, eliminating the need to use a Mac
  • TrueDepth camera can be swapped between any iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models
  • Apple can now repair the LiDAR Scanner on iPhone 16 Pro models while servicing the rear camera module
  • iPhone 16 Pro models have internal design changes that provide "simplified access" to unspecified components

All four iPhone 16 models launch on Friday, and teardowns should surface shortly afterwards for a closer look inside of the devices.

Related Roundup: iPhone 16
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.1 Coming Soon: New Features for Your iPhone and Release Date

Monday October 27, 2025 7:55 am PDT by
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a handful of new features and changes for iPhones, including a toggle for changing the appearance of the Liquid Glass design, "slide to stop" for alarms in the Clock app, and more. Below, we outline key details about iOS 26.1. Release Date Given that Apple has yet to seed an iOS 26.1 Release Candidate, which is typically the final beta version, the...
iOS 26

6 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 26.1

Wednesday October 29, 2025 4:22 am PDT by
Apple is about to drop iOS 26.1, the first major point release since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least six notable changes and improvements to look forward to. We've rounded them up below. Apple has already provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate version of iOS 26.1, which means Apple will likely roll out the update to all compatible...
maxresdefault

Apple TV 4K Could Still Launch Before 2025 Ends: All the Rumored Features

Monday October 27, 2025 4:51 pm PDT by
Apple is designing an updated version of the Apple TV 4K, and rumors suggest that it could come out sometime in the next couple of months. We're not expecting a major overhaul with design changes, but even a simple chip upgrade will bring major improvements to Apple's set-top box. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. We've rounded up all the latest Apple TV rumors. ...
iOS 26

Apple Seeds iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.1 Release Candidates

Tuesday October 28, 2025 1:07 pm PDT by
Apple today provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1 updates for testing purposes. The RCs betas come a week after Apple released the fourth betas. The new betas can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software...
M6 MacBook Pro Feature 1

M6 MacBook Pro: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect

Monday October 27, 2025 9:15 am PDT by
Apple this month refreshed the 14-inch MacBook Pro base model with its new M5 chip, and higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are expected to follow in early 2026. However, these machines will represent the final update to the current design, with Apple reportedly developing a completely new version of the MacBook Pro packed with next-generation hardware...
macos tahoe

Here Are Apple's Release Notes for macOS Tahoe 26.1

Tuesday October 28, 2025 1:21 pm PDT by
Apple today provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate version of macOS Tahoe 26.1, which means the update will likely see a public launch next week. The release candidate includes notes on what's in the update, so we have a full picture of the new features that Apple has included. macOS Tahoe 26.1 adds AutoMix support over AirPlay, improved FaceTime audio...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

8 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Thursday October 30, 2025 4:42 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
iPhone Car Key Kia

Another Vehicle Brand Gaining iPhone Car Keys Support

Tuesday October 28, 2025 5:27 am PDT by
Apple is preparing to bring support for its digital car key feature to Jetour vehicles, according to evidence uncovered on Apple's backend by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. Introduced in 2022, Car Keys allows an iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock a vehicle through the Wallet app. A digital version of a car key is stored in Wallet, and unlocking can be done by holding an Apple Watch or...
ipad mini 7 feature blue

OLED iPad Mini: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect

Wednesday October 29, 2025 7:13 am PDT by
Rumors are stoking excitement for the next-generation iPad mini that Apple is reportedly close to launching. So what should we expect from the successor to the iPad mini 7 that Apple released over a year ago? Read on to find out. Processor and Performance Apple is working on a next-generation version of the iPad mini (codename J510/J511) that features the A19 Pro chip, according to...

Top Rated Comments

cjsuk Avatar
15 months ago

Batteries ? got cheaper. Look at the cost of batteries for EV’s. But I understand that Apple charges for inflation. When inflation goes up by 1% it gives Timmy the chance to charge 10% ?
The battery isn't the expensive bit. It's the:

1. Supply chain
2. Managing stock in stores
3. Distribution and maintenance of equipment required to change the battery.
4. Staff training
5. Staff salaries on site

It really annoys me that a friend of mine pays £1500 for their Mercedes to be serviced regularly at a dealer which seems to require absolutely no parts at all yet complains that apple are screwing them because their iPhone 12 finally needs a battery.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lanomds1 Avatar
15 months ago
And yet they charge more to replace the battery.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
citysnaps Avatar
15 months ago

The battery isn't the expensive bit. It's the:

1. Supply chain
2. Managing stock in stores
3. Distribution and maintenance of equipment required to change the battery.
4. Staff training
5. Staff salaries on site
Spot-on...

I'd also add the huge overhead costs Apple endures. Apparently many here believe Apple employees should not be entitled to yearly salary and benefit increases.

Or that the costs for managing 160,000+ employees, with loads of buildings (many leased at rates that increase over time), maintenance, insurance, and all sorts of supporting costs that don't stay static from year to year.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mrsebsin Avatar
15 months ago
Pardon my skepticism, but there is no way Apple did this out of altruism. It either benefits them in some way or they were or will be forced to do this legally anyway.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Razorpit Avatar
15 months ago

And yet they charge more to replace the battery.
Well, when you pay someone $20 to flip burgers at McDonald‘s, you’re going to have to pay people who do this technical work more. Now add global inflation on materials, and there you have it.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kiranmk2 Avatar
15 months ago

And yet they charge more to replace the battery.
Came here to say the same thing!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)