Throughout a September 2023 launch occasion, Apple confirmed that each the iPhone 15 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional Max function a “new inside chassis structure” that permits for the “simply replaceable” (learn: eliminated) again glass panels of every.
This “new” chassis structure was truly a function of final yr’s iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus fashions, however the iPhone 14 Professional and iPhone 14 Professional Max have been as an alternative caught with an built-in again body that had to get replaced if broken. In full ($499 / £519 / AU$879 for the previous, and $549 / £559 / AU$899 for the latter).
Against this, the iPhone 15 Professional’s again glass panel substitute prices simply $169 / £169 / AU$275 on Apple’s official restore web site (as noticed by 9to5Mac Ian Zelbo), with the identical repairs for the iPhone 15 Professional Max listed at a value of simply $199 / £199 / AU$319.
As a result of new inside construction, the iPhone 15 Professional is now solely $170 to exchange the again glass in comparison with $500 on the 14 Professional pic.twitter.com/257R01WzAaSeptember 17, 2023
In different phrases, iPhone 15 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional Max are less expensive to restore than earlier pro-level iPhones; A really welcome improve that should not fly underneath the radar on the subject of discussing key iPhone 15 options.
It is value noting that – just like the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus – the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus additionally function detachable, easy-to-replace glass again panels. And for those who’re subscribed to Apple Care, changing the again glass panel on any iPhone 15 mannequin prices simply $29 / £25 / AU$45 – as at all times.
Is the tide turning to costly tech fixes?
Information of decrease iPhone restore prices comes after Apple publicly expressed assist for California’s Proper to Restore invoice, which may quickly open up a extra aggressive Apple restore market and, in the end, make iPhone and MacBook repairs cheaper for customers.
As soon as the invoice passes — in California, at the least — the Proper to Restore Act would require producers of merchandise costing greater than $99.99 (and by extension, all iPhones) to make components, instruments, and restore diagnostics available for seven years after the purpose of manufacturing. . That is supposed to make sure that customers will not be left within the lurch as soon as an costly tech product reaches the top of its guarantee interval.
“The Berlin Wall of tech restore monopolies seems to be starting to crumble, brick by brick,” iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens mentioned in a press release after Apple expressed assist for the Proper to Restore invoice. Apple’s dedication to decreasing the price of in-house iPhone repairs doesn’t bode effectively for the way forward for third-party iPhone restore prices.
