Apple last week announced a new self-repair program designed to let iPhone 12, iPhone 13 and iPhone SE owners repair their devices themselves using manuals, tools and replacement parts sourced directly from Apple.
We were curious about how the self-repair program works and how it compares to the simplicity of taking a product to Apple for repair, so we have Mike Rumors Videographer Dan Barbera ordered a repair kit to replace the battery on his iPhone 12 mini.
Dan describes himself as the opposite of a handyman who has never repaired an iPhone before, so we think he’s the perfect representation of the average consumer who just wants to save money by doing DIY repairs.
First, we ordered a kit and components on the day the program went live and received it shortly after, so we needed a fairly quick turnaround.It’s worth noting that for most repairs you’ll need parts and Apple’s repair kit. The repair kit comes in two individual packages, and the two boxes weigh 79 pounds. You’ll get a week before you need to send it back via UPS, or Apple will charge you $1,300.
Having to deal with one 40-pound kit and another 30-pound kit is inconvenient, so that’s a negative result. Buying the kit is $49, while the iPhone 12 mini battery pack is $70.99, but it costs $24.15 to send back the old parts.
That means a total of $95.84 to replace the battery on the iPhone 12 mini, compared to $69 for Apple to replace the battery, so it’s not worth the cost of doing the repair yourself.
Note that you can order the parts separately without the kit, but Apple’s repair manual instructs users to use the tools in the kit or they wouldn’t have a tool on hand, such as an Apple-designed battery press.
You can buy all the tools separately so you can repair them anytime, but Apple’s components are expensive. A battery press is $115, a torque driver is $99, a heated display removal bag is $116, and a display press is $216, all of which are required to remove the battery according to Apple’s repair manual .
Going with anything other than a rental kit isn’t a bargain for someone who wants to do a single repair, though for a repair shop that wants to use Apple-designed tools, it makes sense to buy some individual parts.
As for the actual repair process, Dan finds it difficult, even with Apple’s instructions and tools. It’s frustrating to get in, and the kit is missing components that the manual calls for, like tweezers and heat-protective gloves.
Dan needed two trips to the store to buy more supplies, and because of that, the repair took the better part of a day. Handling the adhesive is time-consuming and almost stops self-healing.
Overall, for the layman, it’s better to take your phone to a professional for repairs rather than trying to fix it yourself. This is especially true for repairs like batteries and monitors, which are often cheaper for Apple to replace.
If you’re brave, you can save some cash if you need camera, Taptic Engine or speaker repairs, but be sure to read the manual and understand what you’re doing. It’s well worth watching Dan’s full video above to get a full overview of the repair process and what’s involved.