iFixit has released detailed teardown videos for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, as well as their larger versions, the Plus and Pro Max models.
While these videos serve primarily as promotional content for iFixit’s range of repair kits and other products—which often include extensive advertisements for their latest offerings—they consistently provide fascinating insights into the internal workings of these devices.
In their exploration of the iPhone 16, iFixit uncovered that, as suspected, a mmWave antenna has been removed and in its place now sits the new Camera Control button. Additionally, they noted that while the camera systems in the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max are nearly identical, they are not interchangeable due to the placement of a specific screw and the length of a particular cable—unfortunately.
The teardown process for the Pro models remains largely consistent with previous iterations, but thankfully, a redesign now lessens the risk of damaging the OLED screen during disassembly.
A significant improvement was observed in the battery replacement procedure for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. These models have abandoned the traditional pull tabs for an adhesive that releases when exposed to an electrical current.
This innovative battery removal method is touted by iFixit as one of the simplest in the industry, a notable commendation for a company traditionally criticized for its repairability issues.
Regrettably, the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max models have not adopted this new battery replacement technique seen in the 16 and 16 Plus. However, there is a silver lining: the USB-C port is now easier to repair than before, although Apple does not sell this component separately.
iFixit awarded all the latest iPhones a repairability score of 7 out of 10, which is impressively high for iPhones.
For more detailed information, the videos are worth watching.
Listing image by iFixit
I am Sofia, a tech-savvy journalist and passionate member of the “Jason Deegan” team. Growing up, I was always fascinated by the latest technological advancements and loved sharing my knowledge with others.