All articles tagged with #repairability
Fairphone 6+ debuts in the US unlocked for T-Mobile at $649, highlighting repairability and sustainability with replaceable parts, a 6.31-inch 120Hz LTPO display, Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, 12GB RAM, 50MP/13MP cameras, 256GB storage plus microSD up to 2TB, Android 16 with updates through 2032, and out-of-the-box US availability.
Fairphone has started selling its repairable 6 Plus directly in the US for $649.99 (unlocked, compatible with T-Mobile/AT&T) via Fairphone and Amazon, marking the first direct US sale; it mirrors the 6 but adds a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 and 12GB RAM, while retaining a repairable, modular design with affordable replacement parts and new cobalt blue color, with Europe pricing at €649 and upcoming Fairbuds 2 slated for Q4 2026.
iFixit’s teardown of two Chinese smart glasses reveals a repair-friendly design: both feature an external clip-on battery and accessible internals, with Rokid’s model being particularly easy to service thanks to light glue and a user-friendly internal layout. The video also critiques glued-in batteries and notes EU right-to-repair exemptions, arguing wearables should have user-replaceable batteries to reduce e-waste.
Starting February 2027, EU law will require phones and tablets to have removable batteries that end users can swap with standard tools, aiming to extend device lifespans and simplify recycling; most premium phones will stay sealed and water resistant, but some models today (e.g., Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro, Fairphone 6) already use user-replaceable packs. A carveout allows battery replacements to be handled by professional repairers if devices meet health and IP standards (83% capacity after 500 cycles, 80% after 1,000 cycles, IP67+), meaning we could see more removable-battery options without a wholesale redesign for every model.
Framework Laptop 13 Pro refines the repairable ethos of its predecessor with a sturdier 6063 aluminum chassis and a swappable motherboard, offering improved battery life from Panther Lake and maintaining compatibility with existing 13.x components; however, it runs hotter under load due to a compact cooling system, limiting Turbo Boost, and it remains heavier with no OLED/HDR options, while pricing ranges from $1,200 to well over $3,000, making it a premium, repair-focused alternative to traditional prosumer laptops.
Valve says iFixit will have Steam Deck replacement batteries back in stock by next week, using the same OEM parts sourced through Valve’s partners; earlier reports that Valve would discontinue the battery were reversed. If Valve ever sunsets the part, iFixit commits to sourcing from an aftermarket supplier. Replacing the battery remains a challenging, glue-bound process, reflecting ongoing repairability debates and evolving regulations around user-replaceable batteries.
A practical checklist for buying a phone that stays usable for years: prioritize a long update policy (top brands offer up to seven years of OS/security updates), check battery cycle ratings (Samsung leads with around 2,000 cycles, Pixel about 1,000), opt for a large battery (5,000mAh+), ensure ample storage (256GB base recommended, with microSD where available), demand solid performance (modern chips and 8GB RAM or more), consider durability (strong glass like Victus and solid IP ratings), and verify repairability/spare-parts access (official repair networks or easy DIY options).
A Reddit user claims to have bought Google's new Home Speaker early from Walmart and reports strong sound and quick setup, but the unit features a non-removable USB-C power cable attached to a removable 30W brick, raising repairability and user flexibility concerns.
A Verge hands-on piece shows how to turn Apple’s budget MacBook Neo into a rainbow Frankenlaptop using official spare parts. The author swaps a blush trackpad and bottom case, citrus USB‑C boards, and citrus keycaps, guided by iFixit teardown steps. The parts cost about $165.64 (roughly 30% of a new Neo) and take ~40 minutes to install, proving the Neo’s repairability but making clear it isn’t cost-effective for aesthetics. A few missteps—damaged hinge clips on some keys—underscore the DIY risks, but the overall idea is to imagine more color options in future.</tldr>
Apple is reportedly set to unveil its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Fold, in September 2026, featuring a book-style 5.5-inch cover and 7.8-inch inner display, a titanium frame, modular repairable internals, Touch ID in the power button, an A20 processor, and a large battery, with a premium price around $2,000–$2,500 and a streamlined camera system (no telephoto).
A fresh leak claims Apple’s first foldable iPhone Ultra will emphasize repairability with a modular internal layout and streamlined cable routing, featuring a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch cover screen, the A20 Pro chip, and a large 5,400 mAh battery, with a September 2026 launch and a starting price around $2,000.
Leak rumors from Instant Digital claim the iPhone Ultra foldable will be the easiest to disassemble and repair in its class thanks to a modular internal stack that avoids complex ribbon cable layouts, prioritizing space for a large battery and display. The design reportedly relocates components to a right-side motherboard area, uses top-edge volume controls, and may be launched as an eSIM-only device alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup this fall, with teardown videos expected to validate the claims.
Installer highlights the Framework Laptop 13 Pro as a standout, upgradeable and repairable laptop that could be a big win for Linux and Windows users, alongside a roundup of other new gear in this week’s issue.
Framework’s Laptop 13 Pro ships with Ubuntu out of the box, features a CNC-aluminum chassis and a repair-friendly design (even including a screwdriver), and uses Intel Core Ultra Series to promise long battery life. Framed as a Linux-first alternative to Windows laptops, it could push the broader PC market toward openness and Linux-native options, potentially changing how mainstream PCs are built and sold.
Framework CEO Nirav Patel warns that the AI boom and a winner-takes-all scramble for RAM, SSDs and chips could raise costs and push consumers toward cloud-based, closed devices, effectively ending personal computing as we know it. Framework remains committed to upgradable, repairable laptops with local data control, and has announced a Next Gen Event for April 21, 2026 to push its hardware philosophy.