Repair website iFixit continued its teardown of Apple's latest devices this week, this time tearing down the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4.Analyzing these devices offers valuable insight into the repairability of the new models, which is an important issue for consumers and repair technicians.
See also: Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 offer 8 new health and fitness features
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 doesn't feature any changes in repairability compared to previous models. The device uses large amounts of adhesive between the case and the display to ensure waterproofing, which makes accessing the battery particularly difficult. Disassembly requires removing the display, and there's a risk of severing the display cable when trying to open the device.
This approach may offer water protection, but it makes repairs more difficult, which has led iFixit to give the Ultra 4 a repairability score of 4 out of 10, remaining on par with previous Ultra models.
On the other hand, the Apple Watch Series 12 shows a slight improvement in repairability. While it’s also difficult to open, it does feature a pull tab for the adhesive that holds the battery in place. This addition is considered a “moderate” improvement by iFixit, as it makes battery removal easier. In addition, the Series 12 removes the ZIF connector, which made repairs more difficult, making the process simpler and less error-prone.
However, accessing the battery still requires removing the display, and replacing the display can't be done without removing the battery. These changes led iFixit to give the Apple Watch Series 12 the same repairability score as the Ultra 4, which is 4 out of 10.
See also: Gurman: New features of Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4
Comparisons to Google's Pixel Watch 5 are inevitable. The Pixel Watch 5 received a repairability score of 9 out of 10, as its display and battery can be accessed by removing a few screws and a gasket, without having to deal with glue. This shows that it is possible to make wearables that are more repair-friendly, something Apple seems to be ignoring.
iFixit has raised concerns about Apple's compliance with Right to Repair laws in several states in the United States, including Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, Minnesota, Texas, New York, Maryland, and Connecticut. Apple does not sell parts or repair tools for the Apple Watch, nor does it offer repair manuals, which is considered a violation of these laws.
iFixit says it is preparing evidence to help attorneys general in states with Right to Repair laws understand that Apple is not complying with the law.
Device repairability is an issue that is becoming increasingly important as consumers look for ways to extend the life of their devices and reduce their environmental footprint. Apple, as one of the world's largest technology companies, has the potential to lead in this area, but its current practices show that it still has a long way to go.
See also: New details about Apple Watch Ultra 3, Series 11 and SE
Improving the repairability of devices, such as the Apple Watch Series 12, could be an important step in this direction.
