- Apple Watch Series 12 scores 4/10 on the iFixit repair score while Ultra 4 is the same as Ultra 3.
- Apple is using an adhesive battery pull tab on the Series 12 making it slightly easier to remove the battery.
- Unfortunately, this also means the smartwatches will be harder to repair and thus, it will spike the repair costs.
It seems the two latest Apple Watches aren’t that easy to repair. Turns out the Series 12 has upped its game thanks to a battery pub tab; it also takes a hit where, if you want to replace the panel, the battery has to go with it. On the other hand, Ultra 4 remains essentially the same as its predecessors in terms of repairability.
What iFixit found inside Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4
All this comes from iFixit, a popular repair giant, according to whom both Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 fail when it comes to repairability, unlike the latest iPhones that have seen screws and electrically released batteries and abundant self-service repair guides and tools.
Apple Watch Series 12 scored 4/10 on iFixit’s repairability score. Although this is a one-up from Series 11, it is still not good compared to the Google Pixel Watch 5, which has a current repairability of 9/10.
Apple uses a stretch-release adhesive battery pull tab that makes it easy to simply separate the battery from the body. You need to pry open the display, which means the risk of damaging or breaking the display is still higher. There’s also a major downside to the new battery connector, where you need to remove the battery when you need to change a broken or damaged display. This will surely add a few more bucks to the repair bills.
Moving forward, we have the second Apple Watch Ultra 4 that has the same score as Ultra 3. When prying open, the display is, as usual, hard to open. The display is well-glued and requires heating to remove. The four visible screws at the back give you access to the rear sensor assembly. Overall, this compromises waterproofing on the next-gen watches.
Apple is also going against the ‘Right to Repair’ laws in the US by providing no tools, spare parts, or repair manuals for its latest Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4. It does the same for iPhones, iPads, and Macs, which leaves watch users gasping for air. On the contrary, the latest Apple AirPods 5 made progress in repairability.
Keep up with the tech that actually matters.
Add us as a preferred source on Google Search for quicker access to our coverage.
