Latest news with #iFixit
The Verge
8 hours ago
- Business
- The Verge
iFixit is retroactively giving the Nintendo Switch a 4/10 on repairability
Would you call the Nintendo Switch easy to repair, what with its infamously drifting joysticks, glued-in battery, tiny and easy-to-damage ribbon cables, and lack of official repair instructions and replacement parts? iFixit doesn't think so anymore. After giving Nintendo's handheld a rosy welcome at its 2017 debut, the online repair site says the Switch no longer lives up to 2025 standards — and so iFixit is cutting the Switch's repairability score in half, from 8 out of 10 to 4 out of 10. We've never put too much stock into repairability scores, but iFixit's reasoning (in this blog post) makes some sense to me, as a person who happens to open every handheld game system I test for The Verge. It's not Joy-Con drift — it's that the industry has moved on. As of 2025, many handheld gaming PCs are far easier to get inside and repair, and devices are beginning to offer batteries that can be replaced without painstakingly prying a fragile and dangerous-to-damage object (the glued battery) away from their frames. Some iPhones now even let you remove battery adhesive with a jolt of electricity. Plus, the Steam Deck kicked off an expectation that companies that truly want to offer repairable handhelds will make their parts publicly available to purchase, perhaps even through iFixit itself. That's not a place where Nintendo is playing ball —- although New York right-to-repair law may require Nintendo to provide parts for the Switch 2 in the USA, as iFixit points out in its blog post. This isn't the first time iFixit has retroactively decided to diss a big gadget company after thinking better of it: iFixit broke up with Samsung in 2024 after Samsung wasn't forthcoming with official parts and required customers to buy batteries that were preglued to phone screens, among other restrictions. I wonder if they'll exert similar pressure on Logitech. iFixit isn't dissing Nintendo nearly as hard as Samsung, though. 'The original Switch still has bright spots: its modular design philosophy for the joysticks, replaceable (and expandable) storage, and mostly straightforward internal layout all remain commendable. But when compared to newer devices that also offer standardized M.2 slots, socketed components, and widely available parts and repair documentation, the Switch shows its age,' writes iFixit.
CNET
a day ago
- Business
- CNET
I Replaced My iPhone Battery Myself and It Was Easy. Here's How You Can Too
If you've just got an iPhone 16 or a Galaxy S25 Ultra then you won't need to worry about your battery for at least a couple of years. But batteries age over time so if you have an older iPhone or Android phone, you may well find that your battery no longer gives you the same battery life it did when it was new. But having an old, worn-out battery doesn't mean buying a new phone; it's surprisingly simple to just replace the battery. Apple has its own do-it-yourself repair program, but even if you don't use that, you can replace your iPhone's battery yourself at home. With affordable third-party components and various tools available to buy, you can open up your iPhone and swap out that old, worn out battery -- or replace a broken screen -- often for less money than having a company do it for you. I did exactly that, replacing the old battery of a well-used iPhone 6 to give it a new lease on life. I was pleased to find the phone on eBay for only £75 (about $100 or AU$140) back in 2020. That's a lot less than a new iPhone 16 Pro, but unfortunately the battery had aged to the point where the software had to artificially throttle the performance to stop it from shutting down. Instead of casting off the phone and getting buyer's remorse, I decided to purchase a replacement battery and tools from iFixit and have a go at changing out the battery myself. It took a little over an hour, but I was able to safely swap out the battery and get the iPhone 6 running perfectly again. I'm not giving step-by-step instructions here -- head to iFixit and grab a kit if that's what you're after -- but I do want to describe my experience, including how easy the process was, and hopefully answer some of the questions you may have if you also need a new battery. If you have a more recent model (an iPhone 12 or newer), then make sure to first check Apple's new repair options and see if you'd be able to put in a replacement with parts directly from the company. Note that any maintenance you do on your own devices is entirely at your own risk. 1. Why would you need to replace an iPhone battery? Batteries age over time, and considering that the iPhone 6 was released over 10 years ago, it's no surprise that the one I bought wasn't running in prime condition. One time, the phone unexpectedly restarted while in use, and it flashed a warning that read, "This iPhone has experienced an unexpected shutdown because the battery was unable to deliver the necessary peak power. Performance management has been applied to help prevent this from happening again." Even the phone itself knew it had a bum battery. In short, a phone's performance can be throttled if it can no longer cope with power demands. There is the option to turn throttling off, but this will result in more frequent crashes. Neither situation is ideal, so a battery replacement seemed like a smart way forward for me, since it wasn't my main phone and I was willing to take the risks. Opening up my iPhone 6. Andrew Hoyle/CNET 2. How much does a replacement iPhone battery cost? The problem with my situation specifically was that I bought the phone for so little in the first place that spending more money on a battery replacement service negated some of those initial savings. Apple's replacement service costs £49 ($49), which is more than half what I paid for the iPhone 6 I bought. As I was in the middle of a coronavirus lockdown when I attempted this, I wasn't able to get to an Apple store to take it in, and sending it in through the mail would bring the total cost to around £56 (about $75 or AU$105). iFixit, however, sells a DIY replacement pack for £35 (including postage to my home in Scotland). It costs $30 in the US, and with shipping costs that comes to about $38. It's not a huge saving over Apple's replacement, but every little bit helps. It also means you will still have the tools you need should you want to do this again in the future. All you'd need to buy next time is the battery. 3. What comes in the iFixit battery fix kit? iFixit's kit comes with a third-party replacement battery that is not from Apple, since Apple does not sell its parts separately for phones older than the iPhone 12. It also has all the tools needed to open the phone and remove the old battery. The only additional thing I needed was a hair dryer to heat up and remove the glue. 4. Does replacing a battery void your phone warranty? Opening up an iPhone will void the warranty, but if your battery is old enough to need replacing, odds are you're already out of the 12-month warranty period. Prying the old battery out was tricky, and I wasn't always sure I was doing it safely. Andrew Hoyle/CNET 5. Is it safe to replace your iPhone battery yourself? This one isn't so straightforward to answer. iFixit's guide gives very detailed instructions on the steps involved, but there were a couple of points that made me nervous. One step involved heating up the back of the phone with a hair dryer in order to loosen the glue holding the old battery in place. Specifically, it said to heat it to "slightly too warm to touch comfortably," which I found a little vague. Especially since that section also warned that "overheating the iPhone may ignite the battery." But how hot is too hot? What signs would I see if it was overheating? I couldn't find this information, and as such wasn't sure how close to overheating it I might be. Shortly after, while trying to pry out the old battery, I accidentally ripped into what looked like the black wrapping around that battery. I was pretty sure that the battery itself wasn't punctured -- there was no smoke or hissing -- but I'd have felt a lot more comfortable if I had "emergency" instructions on hand about what to do if the battery did ignite. 6. Can I replace my iPhone battery myself? Up to a point I found I could, and I'm not the best at DIY. iFixit's instructions were easy to follow, and there were only seven internal screws to remove, which were easy to replace. The iPhone 6, old battery removed and all traces of the glue cleaned off. Andrew Hoyle/CNET One thing I found confusing was that the instructions on iFixit's website end at the point where you remove the old battery. The only instruction in the conclusion was to follow the previous steps in reverse order. Admittedly, that wasn't particularly difficult, but I would have appreciated more guidance at that point. I ran into one other issue in the process: When I removed the screen, I cracked the screen protector that was in place. I noticed the hairline cracks and was worried that I'd damaged the display itself, but thankfully that was unharmed. With its new battery, this iPhone 6 should be running at optimal level again. Andrew Hoyle/CNET 7. Is it worth replacing an iPhone battery? It depends on the age and value of your phone. If, like me, you bought a cheap used iPhone and just want to get it back up to speed, then it could be a great way to breathe new life into old tech without spending a fortune. Bear in mind, though, that this wasn't going to be my main phone, nor did I buy it with my own money. For me, the risk was low. If I'd made a mistake and ruined the phone, it wouldn't have been a big problem. You'll need to consider whether you really can manage without the phone, and weigh your tolerance for other risks. If you're using a more recent device, like an iPhone 14 or 15, for example, I'd just take it directly to Apple. The savings you'll get from doing it yourself aren't so great as to justify the potential cost of damaging a more valuable phone. Watch this: Apple announces DIY repairs for iPhones and Macs 05:41
Android Authority
4 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Sony's new XM6 headphones are surprisingly easy to repair, even for battery replacements
TL;DR iFixit's teardown of Sony's latest flagship headphones reveals some welcome repairability improvements. The WH-1000XM6's battery is secured with screws instead of adhesive, allowing for easier replacements. The headphone's drivers, USB-C port, audio jack, and button board are also much easier to access. Sony recently unveiled the WH-1000XM6, the highly anticipated successor to one of the best flagship headphones on the market. The new model brings several improvements over its predecessor, including a significantly faster QN3 processor, better ANC, enhanced voice call quality, longer battery life, and more. The XM6 also brings some welcome design changes. Sony has reintroduced the folding mechanism on the new model, which was omitted on the XM5. The company has also added detachable earpads for easier replacement and designed a completely new travel case. But that's not all. Sony has reportedly also redesigned the XM6's insides, which could improve repairability. iFixit has spotted several upgrades that should make the flagship headphones easier to repair. Its teardown reveals that the lithium polymer battery powering the XM6 is secured in a plastic housing with two screws instead of double-sided adhesive, making replacements easy. The modular plate housing the XM6's drivers is also held down by Phillips-head screws and a rubber plug, allowing for straightforward disassembly. Sony has also made the modular USB-C port, audio jack, and button board much easier to access than they were on the XM5. You can check out how easy it is to pull the headphones apart in iFixit's teardown below. Although the company has yet to share a repair manual for the headphones, you can expect it to arrive soon. Sony has published one for the older model, and we don't see why it won't do the same for its latest flagship headphones. As for replacement parts, Sony currently doesn't offer any for the WH-1000XM6 or its predecessor. However, given that the company is actively making changes to improve the repairability of its headphones, there's a chance it could start selling replacement parts soon. What do you think of Sony's decision to make its headphones easier to repair? Would these changes convince you to buy the WH-1000XM6 instead of a flagship headphone from a different brand? Let us know in the comments. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
The Verge
5 days ago
- Business
- The Verge
Sony made the battery easier to replace in its WH-1000XM6 headphones.
Andrew Liszewski In addition to better ANC and the return to a folding design, Sony quietly improved access to the battery in its recently-launched WH-1000XM6 wireless headphones. During a teardown iFixit discovered the battery is now held in place by two screws instead of double-sided tape like Sony used on previous models, making it relatively easy to access and replace if you're comfortable disassembling a $450 pair of headphones.
WIRED
16-05-2025
- WIRED
The Surface Pro 12 Is Not Nearly as Great as It Could Have Been
One of my favorite features of the Surface Pro 11th Edition was the ability to use the keyboard when not physically connected to the device, which was handy in various situations. The Surface Pro 12 loses this feature. The keyboard no longer has a dedicated slot to store the Surface Slim Pen, though it can still magnetize (and wirelessly charge) to the back of the tablet. A few other downgrades to the Surface Pro 12: It has a 1080p front-facing webcam rather than a 1440p webcam, and slower ports. There are only two USB-C ports, and they're USB-C 3.2 instead of USB4. Perhaps the most disappointing feature, however, is the lack of repairability. The Surface Pro 11th Edition made strides in this area, letting you access the internals easily and upgrade the storage via the microSD card slot, even earning an 8/10 iFixit score. The Surface Pro 12 undoes this trend, instead opting for a sealed-up chassis and soldered components. This is likely because it's fanless, but having a microSD slot would have at least helped. Apples and Oranges Photograph: Luke Larsen Maybe it's not fair to only compare the Surface Pro 12 to the larger model. After all, it still compares favorably to the iPad Pro 11-inch, which is significantly more expensive. We should also keep in mind the comparison to the Surface Go 4, which came out in 2023. The cheaper 10.5-inch model seems to be defunct, meaning the Surface Pro 12 takes its place in many ways. While the Surface Go 4 had a much lower starting price, those configurations were quite underpowered, starting with just 8 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. When you line up the configurations, there's only a $30 difference between the Surface Go 4 and the Surface Pro 12 at launch. Because Microsoft needs to ensure that its Surface devices are Copilot+ PCs, those lower-tier configurations have been cut. There's a lot to like about the device on its own. You won't find a slicker 2-in-1, outside perhaps the iPad Pro 11-inch. The design is impeccable, and the keyboard and touchpad feel great to use. The palm rests are plastic and no longer Alcantara fabric, though they feel comfortable and rigid. Compared to the iPad, it's still quite affordable, even with the additional $70 power supply. But here's what it comes down to: As long as the Surface Pro 11th Edition is sold for $799 at Best Buy or another retailer, you should buy that instead. It has faster performance, a higher-refresh-rate screen, more ports, and a better webcam, and it is far more serviceable. And yes, that one comes with the power supply included. The 12-inch does have it beat in portability, but until we see the pricing situation change, the larger sibling is the one to buy.
