Pavel Jelic Apple traditionally presents a new generation of iPhone every year – this year we saw the iPhone 13 (mini) and 13 Pro (Max). All these four models come with countless new features that are definitely worth it. We can mention, for example, a very high-quality photo system that offers, among other things, a new film mode, the presence of a very powerful A15 Bionic chip or, for example, a ProMotion display with an adaptive refresh rate from 10 Hz to 120 Hz in the Pro (Max) models. Just as Apple comes up with improvements every year, it also comes up with other restrictions that relate to the possibility of repairing an Apple phone outside of an authorized Apple service.
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Adam Kos At first only an announcement, the first significant restriction in a few years
It all started three years ago, specifically in 2018 when the iPhone XS (XR) was introduced. It was with this model that we saw for the first time some form of restriction on home repairs of Apple phones, namely in the field of the battery. So, if you have replaced the battery on your iPhone XS (Max) or XR after some time, you will start to see an annoying notification telling you that it is not possible to verify the originality of the battery. This notification is in the notification center for four days, then in the form of a notification in Settings for fifteen days. After that, this message will be hidden in the Battery section of Settings. If it was just a notification that would be displayed, then it would be golden. But it stops displaying the battery condition completely and, in addition, the iPhone tells you that you should take it to the service center. This is how it works for all iPhone XS (XR) and later, including the iPhone 13 (Pro).
But that's certainly not all, because as I mentioned in the introduction, Apple gradually comes up with new restrictions every year. The iPhone 11 (Pro) therefore came with another limitation, specifically in the case of the display. So if you replace the display on an iPhone 11 (Pro) and later, a similar notification will appear as for the battery, but with the difference that this time Apple will tell you that the originality of the display cannot be verified. In this case, however, these are still only notifications that do not in any way interfere with the functionality of the iPhone. Yes, for fifteen days you will have to watch the notification about a non-original battery or display every day, but before long it will be hidden and eventually you will completely forget about this inconvenience.
How to tell if the display of iPhone 11 (Pro) and later is replaced:
But with the arrival of the iPhone 12 (Pro) and later, Apple decided to tighten things up. So a year ago he came up with another limitation of repairs, but now in the field of cameras. So if you replace the rear photo system with the iPhone 12 (Pro), you have to say goodbye to some of the functions that cameras traditionally offer. The difference with the aforementioned restrictions is that they are not really restrictions at all, as you are able to continue using the device without any problems. however, the iPhone 12 (Pro) is already a limitation, and a hell of a big one, since the photo system is one of the dominant components of apple phones. And you guessed it right – with the latest iPhone 13 (Pro), the Californian giant has come up with another limitation, and this time with one that really hurts. If you break the display and decide to replace it yourself at home or at an unauthorized service center, you will completely lose Face ID, which is again one of the most essential functions of the entire device.
Genuine parts are not genuine parts?
Now you might be thinking that Apple is taking a good course of action. Why should it support the use of non-original parts that may not work the same as the original ones - the user could thus get a negative experience and resent the iPhone. But the problem is that apple phones label non-original parts even those that are original. Therefore, if you swap the battery, display or camera on two identical iPhones that have just been purchased and unpacked, you will be shown information that the originality of the part cannot be verified, or you will lose some of the essential functions. Of course, if you put the parts back into the original phones, after restarting the notifications and restrictions will disappear completely and everything will start working like clockwork again. For an ordinary mortal and an unauthorized service, it is therefore true that each iPhone has only one set of the mentioned hardware, which can be used without problems. Anything else is not good, even if they are quality and original parts.
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So it is more than obvious that Apple is trying to completely prevent home repairs and repairs in unauthorized services, fortunately for now only with iPhones. Many repairers consider the iPhone 13 (Pro) to be a device that will completely disrupt their business, because let's face it, the most common phone replacements are the display and battery. And if you tell a customer that Face ID won't work after the display is replaced, they'll call you an amateur, take their iPhone, turn around in the door, and leave. There is no security or other compelling reason why Apple should restrict the camera or Face ID on the iPhone 12 (Pro) and iPhone 13 (Pro) after replacement. That's just the way it is, period, whether you like it or not. In my opinion, Apple should think hard, and I would honestly welcome it if a higher power at least paused over this behavior. This is also an economic problem, since it is the repair of displays, batteries and other parts of iPhones that make a living for many entrepreneurs.
FaceID:
There is a solution that will please everyone
If I had the power and could determine exactly how Apple should handle home and unauthorized repairs, I would do it quite simply. Primarily, I would definitely not limit absolutely any functions, in any case. However, I would leave some form of notification in which the user could learn that he is using a non-genuine part - and it doesn't matter if it's the battery, the display, the camera or anything else. If necessary, I would integrate a tool directly into the Settings, which would be able to find out with simple diagnostics whether the device was repaired and, if necessary, what parts were used. This would come in handy for all individuals when buying a second-hand iPhone. And if the repairman used an original part, for example from another iPhone, then I would not display the notification at all. Again, in the mentioned section in Settings, I would display information about the part, i.e. for example, that it is an original part, but that it has been replaced. With this step, Apple would be grateful to absolutely everyone, i.e. both consumers and repairmen. We will see if Apple realizes this in this case or not and knowingly destroys the business of countless repairmen around the world. Personally, I honestly think we'll have to settle for the second option.
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This in turn will end in some spicy trial :) Apple has been making very interesting decisions lately.
Just to pass the "right to repair".
A question of time when a solution will be found in the PRC.
Batteries are already solvable, display min for 11/11Pro as well.
It will just take sophisticated equipment and not just a set of screwdrivers from Ali and a video from Youtube…