Apple has given an early Christmas gift to the eco-conscious and do-it yourselfers on Wednesday. It announced that it would soon be selling the parts, tools, instructions and instructions needed to repair iPhones.
It was a major victory for the “right to repair” movement, which has demanded that tech manufacturers provide the necessary components and manuals for customers to fix their own smartphones, tablets and computers.
Apple, Microsoft, Google and Amazon have long opposed proposed legislation to make such repair resources available publicly. The Federal Trade Commission announced in July that it would increase law enforcement against tech companies making it difficult to repair their gadgets.
It has been impossible for decades to imagine that anyone could maintain their consumer electronics themselves. Original parts were difficult to find, and repairs could prove costly and intimidating. The simplest way to get new phones and computers was to buy them new.
Now Apple’s self-repair program is a sign that the tech industry could finally be warming to making maintenance a part of the experience of owning a gadget.
“It’s a win for repair shops, it’s a win for consumers, and it’s a win for the planet,” said Nathan Proctor, a director for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, a consumer advocacy organization that worked on the “right to repair” legislation.
Here’s what this means for you.
What does Apple’s program mean I can do with my broken iPhone?
Apple announced that people will soon be able to use its online store to order parts or tools to repair its latest products, including the iPhone 12/13 and the Mac computers. Apple will give credit to customers who send in a broken part.
The program will first focus on common components that need to be fixed, such as screens, batteries, and cameras, before moving onto other types of components.
Although the company has not yet released a list of parts costs, it stated that prices for consumers would be similar to what authorized repair shops charged. After a damaged screen is traded in, an authorized shop can purchase a replacement iPhone 12 screen for $234. Apple stores can repair an iPhone 12 screen that is beyond warranty for a cost of around $280
“Creating greater access to Apple genuine parts gives our customers even more choice if a repair is needed,” Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer, said in a statement.
Why is this so important?
You will have more options to repair an iPhone, which can help you lower your costs.
Previously, it was simpler to visit an Apple Store to have an iPhone repaired. But just as taking your car to a dealer for servicing isn’t the cheapest option, going to an Apple store also wasn’t the most cost-effective.
An alternative option was to take your iPhone in to a third party for repairs, possibly at a lower price. I received a $280 repair quote when I took my iPhone XS with broken glass to an Apple Store this year. This compares to $180 from an independent outlet.
But Apple has made iPhone repairs more difficult to third-party shops. Kyle Wiens is chief executive of iFixit. iFixit sells parts but also publishes instructions for customers to repair their electronics.
Even when genuine parts were used, some repairs could be authenticated only with Apple’s software tools, which were not available to the public. Apple provided these software tools only to its employees and authorized shops that had signed a contract to purchase parts exclusively from the company. These authorized shops were more likely to charge higher than unauthorized shops.
Apple’s new program opens more doors. To save money, you could fix your device yourself. You could purchase the parts from Apple, and then take them to someone else for repair.
All of these factors may encourage people, like regular maintenance on a vehicle, to maintain their products longer and keep them safe. This can help reduce technology waste and improve the environment.
What if I don’t own an Apple product?
Apple was historically one of the most vocal opponents to the “right to repair” movement. The company cited security risks — like a customer’s data being hijacked during an unauthorized repair — as a primary reason to keep parts and instructions out of public reach.
This news is important for customers who are not Apple customers. If Apple, one of the world’s most valuable public companies, is setting a new standard with repairs, you can expect other tech manufacturers to follow — especially if they want to avoid fines from the federal government.
“This announcement marks significant progress toward securing our right to repair, and we’re proud of Apple for making this bold move,” Mr. Wiens said.
Source: NY Times
