**iFixit Teardown Shows Apple’s Thinnest iPhone is Surprisingly Repairable**
*By Akash Pandey | Sep 21, 2025, 04:58 PM*
Apple’s latest iPhone Air, the thinnest smartphone the company has ever produced at just 5.6mm thick, has been thoroughly examined by repair experts at iFixit. Their teardown reveals a remarkable design that balances ultra-thin construction with unexpected ease of repair.
### Major Redesign and Innovative Engineering
The iPhone Air represents the biggest redesign in the iPhone series in recent years. iFixit’s disassembly highlights Apple’s innovative techniques used to fit all necessary components into such a slim frame without compromising durability or repairability.
### Clever Design: The Camera “Plateau”
To accommodate the internal components within its ultra-thin profile, Apple engineered a unique camera “plateau.” This design integrates part of the logic board directly into the camera bump. By doing so, it frees up space for a large metal-encased battery and improves structural integrity by protecting the logic board from bending stress during accidental flexing.
### Durable Yet Flexible Titanium Frame
The iPhone Air features a titanium frame that resists flexing, enhancing the device’s overall durability. However, when the phone is stripped down to its bare chassis, it bends more easily due to plastic gaps incorporated to minimize cellular interference. iFixit notes that whether these potential weak points will affect long-term durability remains uncertain.
### Battery Compatibility with MagSafe Pack
One standout finding from the teardown confirms earlier speculation about Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack. iFixit verified that the pack uses the same 12.26-watt-hour battery as the iPhone Air. Impressively, this battery can be removed from the MagSafe pack and inserted directly into an actual iPhone Air device, increasing the accessory’s versatility.
### Easier Repairability Than Expected
Despite the phone’s slender frame, the iPhone Air is more repair-friendly than anticipated. Its simplified internal layout means components aren’t densely layered or difficult to access. Both the display and back glass are clipped in place rather than glued, allowing easier removal.
Furthermore, the battery is secured with an adhesive that can be loosened safely using a low-voltage electrical current—a technique Apple introduced with last year’s iPhone 16.
### Repairability Score and Improvements
Overall, iFixit awarded the iPhone Air a provisional repairability score of 7 out of 10. The scoring reflects easier battery access, straightforward screen replacement, and Apple’s efforts to boost repairability by providing spare parts, repair manuals, and reducing software locks or restrictions that previously limited parts pairing.
—
Apple’s latest iPhone Air proves that it’s possible to achieve extreme thinness without sacrificing repairability, marking a positive step forward for consumers and repair professionals alike.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/ifixit-s-iphone-air-teardown-reveals-sleek-design-surprisingly-easy-reparability/story
