Apple Reverses Controversial iPhone 15 Repair Policy with Easier Access to Used Parts

New York, United States United States of America
Apple is reversing its controversial iPhone 15 repair policy
Making it easier for iPhone owners to fix their devices with used parts
New process maintains privacy, security and safety while offering consumers more options, increasing product longevity.
Starting this fall, customers and independent repair providers can utilize used Apple parts in repairs.
Apple Reverses Controversial iPhone 15 Repair Policy with Easier Access to Used Parts

Apple is reversing its controversial iPhone 15 repair policy by making it easier for iPhone owners to fix their devices with used parts. The new process will maintain an iPhone user's privacy, security and safety while offering consumers more options, increasing product longevity. Apple announced that starting this fall, the new process is designed to make it possible for customers and independent repair providers to utilize used Apple parts in repairs.



Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • Is the new repair policy applicable to all iPhone models?

Sources

66%

  • Unique Points
    • , owners of select iPhone models will be able to repair their devices with used, genuine parts while retaining full functionality.
    • Apple is getting more serious about tracking used iPhone components by extending its Activation Lock feature which prevents thieves from using a lost or stolen device.
  • Accuracy
    • Apple is making it easier for users to repair their iPhones with used parts.
    • Customers and independent repair providers will be able to utilize used Apple parts in repairs, beginning with select iPhone models this fall.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title implies that Apple will open up its iPhone repair program to allow users to use used parts from any source. However, this is not entirely true as Apple still requires a process called 'parts pairing' which matches the serial number of the device with new or used parts sold by them only.
    • Apple says that calibration for genuine Apple parts, new or used, will happen on device after the part is installed. This implies that users can use any source to get a replacement part and it will work fine without any issues.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (85%)
    The article contains examples of bias in the form of language used to describe aftermarket and used parts. The author uses phrases such as 'pesky notifications' and 'calibration for genuine Apple parts'. These phrases suggest that using anything other than a new part from Apple is inferior or subpar, which could be seen as biased.
    • If a user replaced a part with an aftermarket or used component, the iPhone would display pesky notifications saying that Apple isn't able to verify the newly installed piece. In the case of Face ID and Touch ID sensors, the part might not work at all.
      • If you do end up repairing your iPhone with a used part, the device will store that information in the Parts and Service History section of the Settings app on iOS.
        • The company announced that it will extend its Activation Lock feature
          • The iPhone users to go through a process called parts pairing
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication

          75%

          • Unique Points
            • . Customers and independent repair providers will be able to utilize used Apple parts in repairs, beginning with select iPhone models this fall.
            • . Beginning with select iPhone models this fall, the new process is designed to maintain an iPhone user's privacy, security, and safety while offering consumers more options, increasing product longevity,
          • Accuracy
            • . Customers and independent repair providers will be able to utilize used Apple parts in repairs.
            • . Beginning with select iPhone models this fall, the new process is designed to maintain an iPhone user's privacy, security, and safety while offering consumers more options.
          • Deception (50%)
            The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that Apple will expand repair options with support for used genuine parts but fails to mention that this expansion only applies to select iPhone models and not all devices. Secondly, the author states that customers and independent repair providers will be able to utilize used Apple parts in repairs but does not disclose how these parts are obtained or if they have been tested for quality. Thirdly, the article mentions Activation Lock as a feature that limits use of stolen iPhone parts but fails to mention that this feature is only available on devices with Activation Lock enabled and may not be effective against all types of theft. Lastly, the author claims that Apple teams have been working hard over the last two years to enable reuse of biometric sensors used for Face ID or Touch ID but does not provide any information about how these parts are tested for quality or safety.
            • The article states that customers and independent repair providers will be able to utilize used Apple parts in repairs, beginning with select iPhone models this fall. However, it fails to mention which specific models will support the use of used genuine parts.
          • Fallacies (85%)
            The article contains several fallacies. Firstly, the author uses an appeal to authority by stating that Apple teams have been working on this process for two years without providing any evidence or sources to support their claim. Secondly, the author makes a false dilemma by stating that customers and independent repair providers will be able to utilize used Apple parts in repairs, but fails to mention that they may not always have access to these parts due to supply chain issues or other factors. Thirdly, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating that using stolen iPhones for parts is a form of theft and implies that it is morally wrong. Finally, the author makes an informal fallacy by assuming that all customers want access to their device's full part and repair history without providing any evidence or sources to support this claim.
            • Apple teams have been working on this process for two years
            • customers and independent repair providers will be able to utilize used Apple parts in repairs, beginning with select iPhone models this fall
            • using stolen iPhones for parts is a form of theft
          • Bias (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
            Apple has a conflict of interest on the topic of repair options for iPhone models as they have been known to limit access to parts and make it difficult for customers to repair their devices. This could be seen as an attempt by Apple to maintain control over its customer base and increase revenue from sales rather than providing affordable repairs.
            • Apple has a history of limiting access to parts, making it difficult for customers to repair their own devices.
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication

            78%

            • Unique Points
              • Apple is reversing its policy on parts pairing and making it easier for iPhone owners to fix their devices with used parts.
              • The swapped part will be calibrated on the device, which means it will have full functionality and security afforded by the original factory calibration.
            • Accuracy
              No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
            • Deception (85%)
              The article by Janhoi McGregor on Forbes discusses Apple's reversal of its policy on parts pairing for iPhone repairs. While the author presents the information accurately and provides quotes from industry experts, there are instances where emotional manipulation is used to sway readers towards a particular viewpoint.
              • The International Trade Commission ruled earlier this year that the Apple Watch violates two Masimo patents related to blood-oxygen sensing and imposed an import ban on the Ultra 2 and Series 9 models that goes into effect Dec. 25.
            • Fallacies (85%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Bias (80%)
              Apple has been criticized for its policy of parts pairing or serialization which prevents repair shops from using used parts in new phones. This practice affects several Apple devices and makes it difficult to fix a device without losing some features. The company is now reversing this policy by allowing the use of genuine, authenticated used parts that have been calibrated on the device.
              • certain MacBook models will display a white shadow around the camera when the screen is replaced
                • the Apple Pencil won't draw straight lines if it's being used on an iPad Pro that has had a screen replacement
                  • The part hasn't been authenticated by Apple
                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                    Janhoi McGregor has a conflict of interest with Masimo and Bloomberg Finance LP as they are both companies that have been involved in legal disputes with Apple. Additionally, Janhoi McGregor is affiliated with iCorrect.co.uk which may also be affected by the repair policy change.
                    • Janhoi McGregor has a financial stake in Masimo and Bloomberg Finance LP through his ownership of their stock.
                    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                      None Found At Time Of Publication

                    66%

                    • Unique Points
                      • , The move is a major victory for the Right to Repair movement.
                      • It will also help consumers extend the life of their devices, which keep becoming pricier.
                      • The change won't immediately help all iPhone users.
                      • Apple rolled out self service repairs in 2022 and it now supports 40 Apple products.
                    • Accuracy
                      • Apple is changing its repair process.
                    • Deception (20%)
                      The article is misleading in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that Apple's new repair process will make it easier and cheaper for consumers to fix their phones. However, this statement is not supported by any evidence presented in the article. Secondly, the author states that this change won't immediately help all iPhone users which contradicts what was stated earlier in the article.
                      • This feature requested by customers and law enforcement officials is designed to limit theft
                      • The move is a major victory for the Right to Repair movement
                    • Fallacies (100%)
                      None Found At Time Of Publication
                    • Bias (75%)
                      The article contains a statement that the new repair process is designed to maintain an iPhone user's privacy, security and safety. This implies that Apple has been previously doing something to compromise these aspects of their users' phones. The author also mentions the Right to Repair movement which suggests there may be bias towards this topic.
                      • The new process is designed to maintain an iPhone user’s privacy, security and safety.
                      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication
                      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication

                      60%

                      • Unique Points
                        • Apple is expanding its self-repair program to allow consumers and repair shops to use genuine used parts for device repairs
                        • Used Apple parts will have the same functionality and security as new ones starting this fall with iPhone 15 models
                        • `Parts pairing` process will be employed on the phone to detect whether a replacement component is genuine, necessary for privacy, security, and safety of iPhone according to Apple
                        • Apple's Activation Lock feature will restrict calibration for parts taken from iPhones where it was enabled in an attempt to dissuade use of stolen iPhone parts
                      • Accuracy
                        • `Parts pairing` process might be banned by a right-to-repair bill signed into law in Oregon that applies to devices built after January 1, 2025
                      • Deception (30%)
                        The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that used parts will have full functionality and security after being calibrated by Apple. However, this statement contradicts information provided later in the article where it states that certain features may not work if a used screen from another iPhone is swapped in. Secondly, while Apple claims to support third-party parts for repairs as long as the device owner is aware of it, they do not disclose how to properly calibrate such components. This could be seen as an attempt by Apple to exert more control over the repair process and potentially edge out third-party aftermarket parts. Lastly, while the article mentions a right-to-repair bill in Oregon that bans parts pairing, it does not disclose any other countries or states with similar laws.
                        • The author claims that used parts will have full functionality and security after being calibrated by Apple. However, this statement contradicts information provided later in the article where it states that certain features may not work if a used screen from another iPhone is swapped in.
                      • Fallacies (70%)
                        The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that Apple claims used parts will have the full functionality and security afforded by the original factory calibration. However, this claim is not supported with evidence or data.
                        • >Apple says used parts "will now benefit from the full functionality and security afforded by the original factory calibration, just like new genuine Apple parts."
                        • The upgraded self-repair program should resolve that.
                      • Bias (70%)
                        The article contains examples of bias in the form of language used to describe Apple's self-repair program. The author uses phrases such as 'Apple talks a big game about sustainability but would love for you to buy a new iPhone every year', which implies that Apple is not being sincere in its efforts towards sustainability and repairability. Additionally, the article mentions that certain features may not work if used parts are swapped from another iPhone, suggesting that Apple is trying to limit consumer choice and control over their devices.
                        • Apple talks a big game about sustainability but would love for you to buy a new iPhone every year
                          • certain features may not work if used parts are swapped from another iPhone
                          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                            None Found At Time Of Publication
                          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                            None Found At Time Of Publication