The iPhone 16 is out now, which suggests we will lastly discover what’s beneath the show. Apple has already teased among the inner design modifications for the brand new iPhone collection, like improved thermals that ought to assist dissipate warmth from the chip higher than earlier designs.
Rumors additionally mentioned Apple will use new applied sciences contained in the iPhone, together with a brand new kind of glue that makes use of electrical energy to detach. Whereas I’m calling it electrical glue, the title of the technological course of known as electrical debonding. Moreover, leaks mentioned Apple will use metallic circumstances for the iPhone 16 batteries.
iFixit performed the anticipated iPhone 16 and 16 Plus teardown and might now verify these secrets and techniques. We get to see the electrical glue in motion and uncover just a few thrilling surprises. Chief amongst them is Apple’s resolution to make the iPhone 16 telephones extra repairable than ever.
The electrical glue
iFixit’s teardown video, accessible on the finish of this submit, does an ideal job displaying off the brand new electrical debonding course of. All you want is to use present at 9V, wait as much as 90 seconds, and easily raise the battery from the handset. A better voltage will allow you to take away the battery even sooner.
iFixit explains the process in technical phrases from a analysis paper on this electrical glue tech:
Within the second situation, anodic delamination is attributable to the oxidation of the floor of the aluminum substrate and migration of Al3+ into the adhesive. It will result in quick debonding for the reason that substrate layer bonded to the adhesive is now not supported.
However I desire the Oreo cookie explanation:
What does this jargon imply? Think about an Oreo cookie with a thick layer of double-stuf creme. You discovered that should you dip simply the underside cookie in some milk and twist the cookie aside, the filling will all the time persist with the highest cookie.
Apply the present appropriately, and the battery will come off with the adhesive sticking to the battery. Reverse the polarity, and the battery will come off, however the electrical glue will persist with the body. You need the previous, as every new battery will include a brand new adhesive of its personal.
That’s, the electrical glue doesn’t work each methods as a result of it doesn’t must. You’ll be changing the battery with a brand new one.
iFixit additionally notes that the rumor that Apple will use metallic enclosures for the iPhone 16 batteries is true. Nevertheless, solely the iPhone 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max get these batteries. Additionally, these batteries characteristic conventional glue tabs, the type it’s important to pull. Solely the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus have the cool new electrical glue working for them.
The benefit of the iPhone 16 Professional batteries is that they could be extra immune to unintended harm. They may additionally enhance warmth dissipation and help higher-density batteries, however I’m simply speculating right here.
The A18 chips’ new thermals
Apple made it a degree to element the improved thermals of the iPhone 16 telephones in the course of the launch occasion. This implied it had realized a factor or two from the iPhone 15 Professionals overheating final yr.
iFixit’s iPhone 16 and 16 Plus teardown exhibits that the processor will dissipate warmth higher because of a brand new ferrous warmth sink iFixit discovered throughout disassembly. Apparently, that warmth sink is positioned near the A18’s Neural Engine. That’s the chip part that handles Apple Intelligence. It appears like Apple is prioritizing the cooling of this key chip element to make sure nice on-device AI efficiency.
The Digital camera Management button
The teardown additionally proves that the Digital camera Management button is a {hardware} button that actuates bodily. But it surely does have a drive sensor for these half-press gestures that set off some actions. It additionally comes with a chip of its personal.
The iPhone 16 is probably the most repairable iPhone but
I’ve all the time mentioned that it is best to take the iPhone in for repairs should you’re experiencing points slightly than utilizing Apple’s instruments to carry out them your self. Though the iPhone 16 telephones bought the perfect repairability rating ever, I nonetheless suppose that’s the higher strategy.
At 7 out of 10 on iFixit’s scale, the iPhone 16 fashions might be simpler to restore than ever. Meaning restore outlets will be capable to full the job even simpler and sooner than earlier than.
Apple has modified the interior design to make changing elements simpler. Important repairs like battery and digicam replacements will be carried out with out eradicating different elements to get to them.
Entrance-and-back entry to the telephone may also make repairs simpler than earlier than. That’s a design element Apple launched with the iPhone 14, but it surely wasn’t accessible to the Professional fashions.
Lastly, Apple has already made accessible iPhone 16 documentation on-line to supply quick help to restore outlets.
As for the software program, iOS 18 contains a new Restore Assistant that can calibrate all new elements without delay.
