``Everyone is a genius'' Apple's repair policy change, iFixit rejoices

I never thought this day would come!

Apple has announced "Self Service Repair," which allows users to repair their iPhones and Macs on their own. This is a program that will start in the United States from early 2022, where Apple will provide genuine parts, tools, and manuals to users, allowing users to repair iPhones and other devices themselves. This is a significant policy change for Apple, which has been named as a representative of companies that are negative about the "right to repair" until now.

Kyle Wiens, founder and CEO of iFixIt, who has long been concerned about the difficulty of repairing Apple products, welcomes the change in the video below. iFixIt is known for dismantling gadgets, but its main business is gadget repair, and it has ruthlessly rejected Apple products that are difficult for third parties to repair, such as using special screws. In the first place, iFixit was founded in 2003, and it was too difficult to repair the iBook by myself, so he maintained his own repair manuals and tools to prevent others from having the same trouble. So this announcement seems to be particularly moving, "Apple has recognized that anyone is a genius enough to fix an iPhone," he said with joy.

However, Wiens also points out concerns about self-service repair. For example, the price of genuine Apple parts is relatively high, and in terms of cost, it may not be much different from sending it to Apple for official repairs. For example, if a third-party repairer purchases an iPhone 12 screen from Apple now, the price is $ 270 (about 31,000 yen), but Apple's official repair fee is $ 280 (about 32,000 yen), so the difference is is only about 1,000 yen. However, if you hand over the broken screen to Apple, the price will be $ 235 (about 27,000 yen). We don't know the parts price at Self Service Repair yet, so keep an eye on it.

Wiens also points out that repairing Apple products may require special tools that only professionals have. In a press release, Apple itself says that Self Service Repair is for people who are used to fixing gadgets, and that for most users, "professional repairs are the safest bet."

Also, for Japanese users, it is a very worrisome part whether this program, which started in the US where DIY is popular, will come to Japan, and if so, when. In the United States, 27 states are already considering legislation to guarantee the right to repair, so manufacturers including Apple are feeling pressure from society and politics, but in Japan, the right to repair itself is not so conscious. Is not ...

Anyway, it is a big step for Apple, which has limited repair routes until now, to allow users to repair themselves. If you can easily replace the battery and delicate display that deteriorate after a few years, you can expect that you will be able to use your important gadgets for a longer time and be kinder to your wallet and the earth.