Apple announced the debut of its DIY phone repair service in the United States, including replacement parts for the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and third-generation iPhone SE. When Apple unveiled its "Self Service Repair" program last year, the firm said it intended to offer users over 200 "individual components and tools." They are now only accessible in the United States, but Apple aims to extend the program to new nations and devices later this year, including Macs equipped with M1 processors.
Apple's Self Service Repair Store sells replacement parts. According to the company's news release, tool rental packages will also be available for rent for seven days for $49 to consumers who do not want to purchase tools altogether.
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The Impact of the DIY Center
The initiative represents a sea change for Apple, typically restricting access to authentic replacement components. While aftermarket replacement components are sometimes available, Apple's gadgets have occasionally shown alarming warning indications after being fixed with non-genuine components. However, with Apple's Self Service Repair program, anybody in the United States can purchase a new component directly from Apple, certain that it will perform precisely as intended.
Apple has said that its DIY repair program is intended for "individual technicians with the skills and experience necessary to fix electrical equipment." The "vast majority of users" should still seek professional assistance. However, nothing prevents confident users from performing repairs independently, and Apple makes repair guides accessible for viewing before buying components.
The Cost of New Parts
Apple says that parts will be sold to customers at the same price as those sold by its existing authorized repair providers and that it may offer credit in some cases if customers return a replaced part for recycling. For instance, according to TechCrunch, an iPhone 12 or 13 battery costs $69, with a possible credit of $24.15 for returning a changed component. Displays for identical phones cost $225.96 to $309.96 with a potential credit of $33.60. Apple's DIY price isn't much less expensive than hiring the firm to do the repairs, but it does improve when you throw in the rebate for mailing in a changed component.
Apple's request that buyers supply their device's IMEI or serial number when ordering a new component has also been criticized by repair professionals iFixit. The requirement has generated concerns about what happens if a replacement item purchased with one phone's serial number is attempted to be installed in a second, identical phone. "Incorporating a serial number check into their checkout process is a bad sign since it gives Apple the ability to prevent even more repairs in the future," iFixit's Elizabeth Chamberlain says.
Other Tech Giants To Follow?
Apple's introduction of Self Service Repair follows a spate of DIY repair announcements from other smartphone makers. Google and Samsung recently announced collaborations with iFixit to offer replacement parts for their devices, while Valve collaborates with the company to ease do-it-yourself Steam Deck repairs.
These efforts come in response to years of pressure from repair campaigners and regulators on manufacturers to make their gadgets more repairable, intending to prevent them from ending in landfills prematurely. Last year, Apple notably came under increased pressure from dissident shareholders to reconsider its position on independent repairs.
Featured image: Apple
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