Apple is pushing to make your iPhone more repairable, but there are still big hurdles

Tech giant has filed for a patent that could make it simpler for owners and repair shops to replace components in future iPhones, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The patent bill of materials, which was filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office back in May, covers the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models, with plans to expand to other models in the future. <br><br>Before you get too excited, though, Apple's next iPhone is unlikely to be easily repairable. The report noted that the tech giant could take a few years to fully implement the changes, which would make it easier to repair broken parts like cracked screens, charging ports, and dying batteries. <br><br>Why is that such a big deal?<br><br>Apple is known for making its devices very hard to repair and upgrade. Repair shops have complained about the lack of spare parts and instructions available to them. On top of that, some parts are designed to be impossible to repair or replace. It's not just the repair shops who are affected, either – it's also really challenging and expensive for consumers to do repairs themselves. <br><br>Why is Apple pushing for change?<br><br>So, why is Apple suddenly pushing for change? Well, there are a few reasons. There's been growing pressure from governments and consumers to make technology more sustainable, and part of that is making it easier to repair and reuse stuff. In fact, the EU has already passed legislation requiring tech companies to make their products more repairable, so it's likely that other countries will follow suit.<br><br>What does this mean for consumers and repair shops?<br><br>So, what does this mean for consumers and repair shops? Well, if Apple does make it easier to repair iPhones, it could make it cheaper and more convenient for people to fix their devices instead of replacing them. Repair shops may also find it easier to get the parts they need, which could lead to more competition and lower prices.<br><br>On the other hand, the patent's language suggests that some repair services may still need to be authorized by Apple, which could limit the options available to consumers. There's also the question of how easy it will be for consumers to buy parts directly from Apple.<br><br>Overall, while this is a positive step, there are still a lot of unknowns, and it's too early to say for sure how much of an impact this will have.