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Is This the End of the Repairable iPhone?

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Re: Is This the End of the Repairable iPhone?

#31

Post by madaxe_again »

deadbunny wrote: post #25
bitwize wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you had a pirated copy of Autodesk 3D Studio (before MAX, for DOS), everything would work and appear normal. But eventually, the geometry of your models would become corrupted -- subtly at first, then with continued use each model would become a spiky mess, like a fruit fly with an unfortunate hedgehog gene mutation. IHVs and ISVs can have subtle ways of punishing you for using their products in a manner not expli…

How is pirating software and repairing a device you have purchased comparable?

Because, legally, they are pretty similar - both are a breach of EULA, both are not an expected use. I would wager that in the not too distant future, legislation and social attitudes will view repairing damaged electronics as theft. Right to repair will ironically likely be the mechanism through which this happens - mfgs are using it to create closed ecosystems with no participants - see apples programme for independent repair shops getting “genuine” parts - it’s so onerous that unless something has changed, recently, they have literally not one taker, meaning every indy repair shop is now theoretically breaking the law. They just have to tighten the noose a little more, and it’s job done.

Re: Is This the End of the Repairable iPhone?

#32

Post by Lio »

gear54rus wrote: post #5
simongr3dal wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How would the consumer ever get to "vote" tho? There never was a year where Apple released a mediocre repairable phone and a slicker unrepairable phone, so the vote has never happened.

The first step of the process is to not buy anything apple recognizing there hardly ever was a company more hostile to user freedom both on software and hardware side.

So what’s the alternative?

Google and giving up your privacy? You might be happy with that but I’m already “voting with my feet” on that matter.

There are some independent Linux based offerings now but they’re immature and going that way would mean loosing support of some third party apps that I currently need.

No manufacturer is offering a perfect or even good enough product right now. You end up compromising on something.

Re: Is This the End of the Repairable iPhone?

#33

Post by manmal »

RcouF1uZ4gsC wrote: post #2

> But the main camera module is not a security component. I wonder if this is related to the fact that iOS now shows an indicator light when the camera is active? If your phone ended up with a modified camera, perhaps it could spy on you without you knowing.

The indicator is purely software driven though. But, I could imagine that a complete spying device could be inserted instead of the camera module.

Re: Is This the End of the Repairable iPhone?

#34

Post by jmnicolas »

tonyedgecombe wrote: post #27
fouc wrote: post #11

I have mixed feelings about this. I can see the need for security but at same time I can see why the big companies love to pursue "security", it gives them an incredible opportunity to exert even more control.

I'm going to guess that spare parts and repairs are a net loss for Apple. It's a cost of doing business. What they don't want is shody spares and repairs sullying their image.

And it can avoid bad actors replacing parts in your phone to spy on you but I don't think it's Apple's main motivation.

Re: Is This the End of the Repairable iPhone?

#35

Post by whytaka »

Not too long ago, I went to the Apple store to get my MacBook Pro looked at for a faulty key and degraded trackpad. As I had a Genius diagnose the issue, the screen brightness of my iPhone 7 had dropped nearly completely.

While it was true that the glass of the screen had cracked due to a fall, the phone had operated just fine for many months since. The Genius told me it was likely a display issue while I told him it's much more likely a software issue. The Genius gave me the unfortunate advice of restarting the phone by holding down the power button and the lower volume button. The phone restarted, with the Apple logo in full brightness but would turn black when it came to logging in. Pity, since my password is too long to type it in without visual aide.

The Genius told me that to repair the display was $200+. I scoffed at the price and told him it's not the display, and it was unacceptable as I planned on buying the iPhone 12 next month. The manager came by and made it clear there's no room to budge on the price. I resigned and left the device with them.

When I was called in to pick up my phone, they told me that replacing the display did not work, so now my option was either to upgrade or to buy another iPhone 7 for $400+. I told them that's unacceptable and that it's clear it's not the hardware. I told them I am immersed in their ecosystem and I would easily spent another $2000 this year and to cut me a break. They told me, take it or leave it.

I took the phone back and started making my way home. Descending into the metro, I walked past an ill-lit part of the platform. I looked at my phone again and realized I could faintly make out the log in screen. I typed in my password, logged in, went to control center and raised the brightness back up. Perfect. Now, even if I lower the brightness to its lowest setting, it works as normal.

Not only is Apple's moves to cut out 3rd party repairs egregious, their own solutions and staff are rife with incompetence and their offer to you once you've immersed yourself into their ecosystem is, "Money now or go away".

I am not buying the iPhone 12 and my next machine will run Linux.

Re: Is This the End of the Repairable iPhone?

#36

Post by sdfhbdf »

whytaka wrote: post #35

Not too long ago, I went to the Apple store to get my MacBook Pro looked at for a faulty key and degraded trackpad. As I had a Genius diagnose the issue, the screen brightness of my iPhone 7 had dropped nearly completely. While it was true that the glass of the screen had cracked due to a fall, the phone had operated just fine for many months since. The Genius told me it was likely a display issue while I told him it…

I had the same issue with iPhone 7 this August. I ended up letting the battery deplete leaving it for some time and then recharging it and that helped. I couldnt brighten the screen :( because of the Apple logo being at full Brightness i was also positive its software not hardware

Re: Is This the End of the Repairable iPhone?

#37

Post by sebmellen »

whytaka wrote: post #35

Not too long ago, I went to the Apple store to get my MacBook Pro looked at for a faulty key and degraded trackpad. As I had a Genius diagnose the issue, the screen brightness of my iPhone 7 had dropped nearly completely. While it was true that the glass of the screen had cracked due to a fall, the phone had operated just fine for many months since. The Genius told me it was likely a display issue while I told him it…

The iPhone 7 is a mess. I had the same issue with my screen, and now the iPhone's camera has stopped working, only a few months past Apple's warranty (I bought the phone recently). I go in to the "Genius Bar", and they tell me it's a $150 repair. I brought up that the issue had only started 2 months out of warranty and that I could buy a new iPhone 7 on eBay for $200. No budge, they offered me a $100 trade-in value for an iPhone 11.

$100 trade-in value and they want to charge me $150 for repairs??? What?

I am going to iFixIt as the issue seems common, it's just a ribbon that is attached weakly that pops off of the attachment. The camera is still working.

Re: Is This the End of the Repairable iPhone?

#38

Post by est31 »

whytaka wrote: post #35

Not too long ago, I went to the Apple store to get my MacBook Pro looked at for a faulty key and degraded trackpad. As I had a Genius diagnose the issue, the screen brightness of my iPhone 7 had dropped nearly completely. While it was true that the glass of the screen had cracked due to a fall, the phone had operated just fine for many months since. The Genius told me it was likely a display issue while I told him it…

I understand and am sympathetic with your experience, but note that Apple targets the part of the market which is affluent and also ready to spend money. That's why they can turn a profit for so few units sold vs the rest of the market which sells phones that have far more "bang for the buck". If you own apple shares in any reasonable quantity, the increases of this year alone should reward you for it 3 times over.

Re: Is This the End of the Repairable iPhone?

#39

Post by emsy »

supernova87a wrote: post #3

I think the story isn't the end of the repairable iPhone. It's about the end of the consumer (or consumer segment) who cares enough to vote with their dollars for repairability more than new functionality and price. We are all free to vote with our money what we want. We collectively choose not to, on average.

Voting with money doesn’t work, regulations do.

Re: Is This the End of the Repairable iPhone?

#40

Post by harlanji »

est31 wrote: post #38
whytaka wrote: post #35

Not too long ago, I went to the Apple store to get my MacBook Pro looked at for a faulty key and degraded trackpad. As I had a Genius diagnose the issue, the screen brightness of my iPhone 7 had dropped nearly completely. While it was true that the glass of the screen had cracked due to a fall, the phone had operated just fine for many months since. The Genius told me it was likely a display issue while I told him it…

I understand and am sympathetic with your experience, but note that Apple targets the part of the market which is affluent and also ready to spend money. That's why they can turn a profit for so few units sold vs the rest of the market which sells phones that have far more "bang for the buck". If you own apple shares in any reasonable quantity, the increases of this year alone should reward you for it 3 times over.

I have gotten pretty comfortable fixing stuff myself. I almost want to stock replacement everything for my ‘16 SE. I don’t break it much, and I’ve got some razor’s edge stories. Super cheap, come with all the tools. Done screen w/ full sensor transfer, battery.

I’m with parent on the price point thing, and no doubt if aftermarket goes away then hackers will too. I keep a separate work phone anyway, employers have never had a problem issuing one if I need to be reachable. iPhone from employer, bunnie or something for me.

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