Motorola and iFixit partner to sell phone repair kits • Hacker News Board

Re: Motorola and iFixit partner to sell phone repair kits

#101

Post by mverwijs » Tue, Oct 23, 2018, 6:20 PM UTC

Fej wrote: post #59

zubspace wrote: post #50

I own a fairphone 1 and after I dropped it once I was able to order a new screen. With instructions made by by the fairphone team I was able to fix my phone. I'm bitter though, because they soon switched development to fairphone 2 in a higher price class and I'm left with android 4.2.2. Many new apps on the play store stop being compatible. I believe, something like this is only viable, if the phone maker guarantees…

I love the concept of Fairphone but I can't believe they're still selling their phone for €530. It's worth maybe 1/5th that, if that. Is it just hubris? I hope not, because even if their phones command a reasonable price premium over competitors, it's worth it to some people. They're definitely filling a need. It would be a shame if few of their phones get into people's hands because they price them too far above cos…

The price is the true price for any phone, when taking into account being a responsible manufacturer.

If your phone is cheaper, it is being built irresponsibly.

Re: Motorola and iFixit partner to sell phone repair kits

#102

Post by devwastaken » Tue, Oct 23, 2018, 6:27 PM UTC

fipple wrote: post #98

bloopernova wrote: post #10

I have a lot of respect for iFixit. They at least appear to have their heads screwed on right, and the tools I've bought from them do really seem to be good quality. My only recent "complex" task that needed their tools was adding a hybrid water cooler to a 1080ti GPU. Their stuff was great, and their customer service has been good too. (EDIT: I meant to say, the addition went well due to their tools, good quality st…

I don’t really think the government needs to legislate this. I buy iPhones because I don’t give a shit about repairability. I use the phone for 3-4 years and then set it up as basically a remote control in my house until it’s useless. If I break it out of warranty I throw it out. Other people who care about repairability can buy other brands.

Except hardware and software are patentable. If we didn't have that and companies could make true alternatives, sure, but as far as technology goes it's highly monopalistic. Your argument is also the definition of selfishness given that you only take into account your own circumstances. You're literally advocating against yourself.

Re: Motorola and iFixit partner to sell phone repair kits

#103

Post by ricardonunez » Tue, Oct 23, 2018, 6:41 PM UTC

mkaziz wrote: post #94

I used to own an original Moto G, and the only complaint I had was the crappy camera. I would buy Morotola again if they made reasonable sized phones.

The camera is the bad part on their phones. A family member has the X4 on Fi and although miles better than the G line, it's still bad, especially on low light.

Re: Motorola and iFixit partner to sell phone repair kits

#104

Post by CaptSpify » Tue, Oct 23, 2018, 6:48 PM UTC

balls187 wrote: post #92

CaptSpify wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple's mistake was really that they didnt do proper load testing on their batteries. Had they shipped a battery that was capable of keeping up with the phone, this wouldn't have been a problem to begin with. Instead, they pushed their users to buy new phones, or pricey fixes for a manufacturing mistake

How did you come to that conclusion, did Apple admit they did improper testing?

Because we saw the evidence: The batteries they shipped started dying early. I'm willing to believe that they did do proper testing and ignored the results, but I'm not sure that's better.

Re: Motorola and iFixit partner to sell phone repair kits

#105

Post by tinus_hn » Tue, Oct 23, 2018, 6:55 PM UTC

sixothree wrote: post #65

organsnyder wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The last time I tried to replace a battery the phone (a Nexus 5) was never the same—I broke one of the small plastic tabs in the case, which I think led to a poor antenna connection. If the phone isn't designed for it, it's easy to mess something up like that. Apple does seem to be doing a better job than most of the Android OEMs at ensuring longevity.

I've brought two iPhones in for battery replacement and both times my phone left with additional issues. One issue required replacing the phone. The other was a minor annoyance with the screen.

If you have the battery replaced using the official channels you have warranty, both on the new battery and the repair.

Re: Motorola and iFixit partner to sell phone repair kits

#106

Post by i_phish_cats » Tue, Oct 23, 2018, 7:01 PM UTC

ceejayoz wrote: post #16

organsnyder wrote: post #5

Looks like my next phone will be a Motorola! I'm tired of "upgrading" phones every couple of years because the battery wears out.

You can replace the battery in virtually any phone, Apple included. Apple'll do it for you for a pretty nominal charge - $30-70 in most cases, and that includes the battery and labor. https://support.apple.com/iphone/repair/battery-power They're not made to be just popped in/out, sure, but it's entirely possible to get more years out of a phone this way. I'd be more concerned with software updates than battery.

Yes, I'm sure a Shenzhen technician can replace a glued down iphone battery in no time. The difference is, a 9 year can replace, say, the battery on my Oneplus 2 in about 3 minutes, with the tools that are already in every tool box (no proprietary clover screw BS). I know, because my nephew did that for me recently.

Re: Motorola and iFixit partner to sell phone repair kits

#107

Post by tinus_hn » Tue, Oct 23, 2018, 7:05 PM UTC

This is probably a try-out. 'Motorola' is just one of the phone brands owned by Motorola Mobility, a subsidiary of Lenovo. Motorola Mobility produces mobile phones and slaps whatever label marketing thinks appropriate on it, which in some cases is 'Motorola'.

Re: Motorola and iFixit partner to sell phone repair kits

#108

Post by Glyptodon » Tue, Oct 23, 2018, 7:09 PM UTC

I was hoping one of the kits would offer USB port replacement. USB ports are what always seem to wear out on my phones.

Re: Motorola and iFixit partner to sell phone repair kits

#109

Post by fipple » Tue, Oct 23, 2018, 7:10 PM UTC

devwastaken wrote: post #102

fipple wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don’t really think the government needs to legislate this. I buy iPhones because I don’t give a shit about repairability. I use the phone for 3-4 years and then set it up as basically a remote control in my house until it’s useless. If I break it out of warranty I throw it out. Other people who care about repairability can buy other brands.

Except hardware and software are patentable. If we didn't have that and companies could make true alternatives, sure, but as far as technology goes it's highly monopalistic. Your argument is also the definition of selfishness given that you only take into account your own circumstances. You're literally advocating against yourself.

No, I’m saying that different peoples needs are different. I’d rather have the phone 1mm thinner than repairable. You may be different. Companies should compete for our custom.

Re: Motorola and iFixit partner to sell phone repair kits

#110

Post by sandworm101 » Tue, Oct 23, 2018, 7:27 PM UTC

fipple wrote: post #98

bloopernova wrote: post #10

I have a lot of respect for iFixit. They at least appear to have their heads screwed on right, and the tools I've bought from them do really seem to be good quality. My only recent "complex" task that needed their tools was adding a hybrid water cooler to a 1080ti GPU. Their stuff was great, and their customer service has been good too. (EDIT: I meant to say, the addition went well due to their tools, good quality st…

I don’t really think the government needs to legislate this. I buy iPhones because I don’t give a shit about repairability. I use the phone for 3-4 years and then set it up as basically a remote control in my house until it’s useless. If I break it out of warranty I throw it out. Other people who care about repairability can buy other brands.

>> If I break it out of warranty I throw it out. Other people who care about repairability can buy other brands.

One of the many reasons I don't use Apple products. I don't want to throw away technology because the battery wears out, or the screen cracks. Setting aside the environmental nightmares, I don't want to participate in planned obsolescence. My phone dies when I say it can die, not when a manufacturer deems it time for me to give them more money. I also don't throw away cars when their paint chips or the radiator leaks.