Apple’s latest iPhone 16 series may not have dazzled tech reviewers as promised AI integration is not available yet, but for the repair community, it’s a significant breakthrough. While some deem the new camera button useless, American iFixit’s latest teardown reveals innovations that mark some major steps forward for those dedicated to prolonging device life through repair. And It could place the new Apple iPhone 16 well within new EU rules for a replaceable battery.
New adhesive revolutionizes battery replacement
One of the standout advancements is a new type of adhesive used in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus models. Traditionally, batteries were secured with adhesive strips that were tricky and often unreliable to remove, sometimes leaving repair technicians wrestling with tools and risking damage to sensitive components. With the iPhone 16, Apple introduced an electrically activated adhesive. By passing a low-voltage current through the adhesive, the bond is released, allowing the battery to pop out effortlessly.
This innovation is a game-changer for those in the repair industry. No more brittle pull tabs or hazardous prying of batteries—just a smooth, consistent process that makes battery replacements safer and more efficient. However, a specialized tool will be required to perform this new method, and further details are expected to emerge as repair kits become available.
Hard steel case battery in the Pro model
The iPhone 16 Pro brings its own battery-related improvement. The device is equipped with a hard steel battery case, a design borrowed from Apple’s wearable technology, such as the Apple Watch. This rigid casing is far less susceptible to punctures compared to the traditional soft pouch designs, which means fewer safety hazards during repairs. Despite this, the Pro model retains the older pull-tab system for battery removal, but the steel casing adds a much-needed layer of protection when prying the battery loose. Unfortunately, the flagship 16 Pro Max doesn’t share in these improvements, sticking to the old design.
Source: iFixit
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