The new iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models come with removable black glass panels, allowing for repairs to be done easily. In addition to easier repairs, the removable back panels are also better for the environment as the entire iPhone will no longer have to be replaced.
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus come equipped with removable back glass
As reported by TechCrunch, the redesigned internals of the iPhone 14 allow for its back glass to be replaced easily without having to take the entire device apart.
Whatever has changed, it is significant, because the iPhone’s back glass can now be replaced without having to disassemble the phone, something that was not possible before.
This is significant news for a few reasons. For iPhone 11 and older models with a cracked rear glass, Apple Authorized Service Providers have to replace the entire device. On the other hand, newer models like the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 can be repaired without technicians having to replace the entire device.
If an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 has a cracked rear glass, technicians can simply replace the entire rear portion of the device with the new enclosure affixed to the original display and rear camera. The back glass of these models can only be replaced like this if the display and rear camera components are free of damage or functional failures.
Not only is this new repair method more cost-effective but it is also much better for the environment as minimum components are required.
Teardowns of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max do not mention the models having an easier-to-remove back panel. So, the change might be exclusive to the standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus.
As for repair costs of a damaged back glass panel. The iPhone 14 will cost you $169 whereas the bigger model will cost $199. However, if you have AppleCare+, you can get the back panel of your iPhone 14 replaced for $29 – this goes for the standard as well as the Plus model.
Customers who pre-ordered the iPhone 14 should start to receive them today. On the other hand, the iPhone 14 Plus is slated to start shipping on October 7.
