iFixit teardown shows Apple’s thinnest iPhone is easily repairable
**iFixit Teardown Shows Apple’s Thinnest iPhone Is Easily Repairable**
*By Akash Pandey | Sep 21, 2025, 4:58 PM*
Apple’s latest iPhone Air, standing out as the company’s thinnest smartphone yet at just 5.6mm thick, has been thoroughly dissected by repair experts at iFixit. The teardown reveals a device that perfectly balances ultra-slim design with surprising ease of repair.
This model marks the most significant redesign in the iPhone series in years. Through the disassembly, Apple’s innovative engineering shines as it manages to fit all essential components into an impressively slim frame without compromising repairability.
### Innovative Design Strategy: The Camera “Plateau”
To accommodate all internal elements within its ultra-thin chassis, Apple introduced a clever new design feature called the camera “plateau.” This design integrates part of the logic board directly into the camera bump.
By embedding the logic board into this raised area, Apple frees up space inside the phone for a large, metal-encased battery. Additionally, this placement protects the logic board from bending stress, enhancing the phone’s durability even when subjected to accidental flexing.
### Durable Titanium Frame with Notable Plastic Gaps
Initial testing highlights the iPhone Air’s titanium frame as highly resistant to flexing, contributing to robust structural integrity. However, when the internal components are removed, the chassis exhibits increased bendability due to plastic gaps designed to minimize cellular interference.
While iFixit notes these gaps create minor structural weak points, it remains to be seen if they will impact the phone’s long-term durability.
### Battery Compatibility Confirmed
Another noteworthy finding from the teardown relates to Apple’s MagSafe Battery pack. iFixit confirmed earlier speculation that the battery inside the MagSafe pack is identical to the one used in the iPhone Air.
The 12.26W-hour battery housed in the MagSafe accessory can be removed and installed in an iPhone Air, making the pack surprisingly versatile.
### Surprising Repairability for an Ultra-Thin Device
Despite its slim profile, the iPhone Air is easier to repair than many anticipated. Thanks to a simplified internal layout, components are not stacked or overly difficult to reach.
Both the display and back glass are clipped into place rather than glued, simplifying replacements. The battery employs an adhesive that can be safely loosened using a low-voltage electrical current—a technique Apple introduced with last year’s iPhone 16—further easing battery repairs.
### iFixit Repairability Score: 7 out of 10
Overall, iFixit awarded the iPhone Air a provisional repairability score of seven out of ten. The score reflects improvements such as easier battery access and straightforward screen replacement procedures.
Apple has also enhanced repairability by making spare parts and repair manuals more readily available and reducing software locks and restrictions related to parts pairing.
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The iPhone Air showcases that even the thinnest smartphones can be designed with repairability in mind, combining sleek aesthetics with practical engineering solutions. For users and technicians alike, it represents a step forward in balancing cutting-edge design with durability and serviceability.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/ifixit-s-iphone-air-teardown-reveals-sleek-design-surprisingly-easy-reparability/story
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