Right to repair? At least you still have the right to despair: Camera modules cannot be swapped on the iPhone 12
- Reference: 1604085308
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/10/30/apple_iphone_12_camera_modules_cannot_be_swapped/
- Source link:
Aussie YouTuber Hugh Jeffreys [1]found that when a camera module is transplanted from one iPhone 12 to another, it exhibits behaviours that make it almost impossible to use the device's photography functionality. Users with transplanted camera modules cannot switch between the primary and ultra-wide lenses, and the app frequently exhibits instability and unresponsiveness.
Restoring proper functionality requires the use of a proprietary, cloud-linked System Configuration app, which is only available to Apple's approved technicians.
The issue was subsequently [2]confirmed by an iFixit investigation .
Paradoxically, it remains physically straightforward to rip and replace the camera module on the iPhone 12. Apple has largely retained the same approaches as seen with previous versions, including a sparing use of adhesive and modular component design.
In its teardown, published prior to the discovery of this issue, iFixit gave the [3]iPhone 12 a Repairability Score of six – the same as the [4]iPhone 11 . Problems emerge when someone attempts a real-world repair.
Where spare parts come from
Independent repair shops have multiple ways of sourcing components. This was best explained by Rossmann Group founder Louis Rossmann during [5]the trial of Henrik Husby , a Norwegian electronics repairman sued by Apple on trademark violation allegations after he imported unofficial iPhone displays from China.
In [6]his testimony , Rossmann, who runs a repair business in New York, as well as a popular MacBook repair YouTube channel, explained the three avenues available to independent providers.
The best option is "new original" parts, which have never been used and are identical to those used when a device is first assembled. The second-best option is refurbished components scavenged from donor devices. These are identical, but have experienced some usage. Finally, if those two fail, there are compatible (but unofficial) components produced by third-party manufacturers.
Apple and other manufacturers have kept tight control of their supply chains, providing only specific components to a network of approved repair shops. Those components are almost always complete products (like logic boards) rather than specific chips to be soldered onto a circuit board.
That ultimately leaves third-party and refurbished components as the sole remaining avenues available to independent repair shops. Both options are progressively under attack, as this development shows.
This latest development comes after appeared to be gradually increasing its network of highly-controlled authorised repair outlets. In June, it expanded its Independent Repair Provider (IRP) program [7]to Europe and Canada , following [8]a US launch in 2019 .
A matter of freedom
There's some precedent here. The chips used to power the TouchID and FaceID sensors in the iPhone cannot be interchanged between devices as these are linked to [9]the device's Secure Enclave chip . This is an Arm-based co-processor responsible for managing encryption keys and, as the name implies, separate from the phone's primary SoC.
But while you can use TouchID and FaceID to authenticate into a phone and approve Apple Pay payments, you can do neither of those things with the iPhone's rear-facing camera.
In the absence of a compelling security argument, you can only conclude that Apple has chosen to restrict camera repairs in order to extinguish independent repair businesses in favour of its own Genius Bar service, as well as those approved repair shops within its network.
iFixit decried this move as an assault on user freedom, and suggested it undermines Apple's eco-friendly credentials.
"Apple states in its recent environmental report that 76 per cent of the emissions created by its products are created in manufacturing. It claims that 'making repairs more convenient and reliable is directly aligned' with its environmental goals. And Apple claims that it has made 'design choices so that products are easier to repair'.
"Given the huge number of iPhones in the world, and the potential for reusing their components, it's hard to see how tightening access to common repairs fits these goals."
Apple was scheduled to speak to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) earlier this year about the ecological and sustainability impact of its repair policies, but cancelled at the last minute. It has since refused to [10]substantively answer written questions submitted by the committee .
The Register has asked Apple to comment. We'll update the story if we hear back. ®
Get our [11]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY7DtKMBxBw
[2] https://www.ifixit.com/News/45921/is-this-the-end-of-the-repairable-iphone
[3] https://www.theregister.com/2020/10/26/iphone_12_ifixit_teardown/
[4] https://www.theregister.com/2019/09/23/iphone_teardown_bilateral_charging/
[5] https://www.theregister.com/2020/06/04/apple_repair_norway/
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pyo4XbmK1_Q
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2020/07/08/apple_extends_its_independent_repair/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2019/08/29/apple_iphone_repair/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2017/08/17/apple_secure_enclave_decrypted/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2020/09/15/brit_mps_letter_to_apple_ewaste/
[11] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: That's what you get
Try repairing any bit of complex optics yourself. For example a modern camera lens. They need specialist jigs to ensure proper alignment of the elements otherwise, the lens is useless.
However, Apple really do need to open up their repair biz to third parties. It used to be like that but now? It sucks.
Re: That's what you get
However, the lens and the image sensor are a single module on the iPhone and just about every other smartphone, and have previously been user-replaceable. I've replaced them in the past because of scratches on the lens, etc. With this model, the camera continues to be PHYSICALLY replaceable, but they have locked it up electronically.
The fact that they are making such things non-replaceable is just to enforce their monopoly over service parts and repair, to make it so that you have to buy a new phone instead of repairing an existing one.
It is no different than buying a car and then being told you can never replace the headlamps or windshield, and if one breaks you have to recycle the car and buy a new one, or take it to a factory-authorized repair center and then they can decide whether they want to bother repairing it or not.
Re: That's what you get
That's what you get for buying Apple.
Not only Apple.
In another life many years go, I was in charge of first tier IT support at a government office, task which also involved taking care of everything from basic IT supplies to keeping the local file server in shape and backed up to putting together the yearly budget for which I was responsible.
I also kept boredom away by also doing hardware maintenance where I was able to.
One day, one of a pair of frequently used HP ScanJet SCSI scanners stopped working.
It was a simple and very solid piece of hardware (and HP was a different HP), out of warranty but only three or four years' use and in excellent condition.
Local HP service staff refused to repair it for reasons related to parts availability or something like that but offered to exchange it for a newer (pos) model plus 90% of the new model's price.
Before taking any action, I decided instead to take out the scanner's mainboard for a trip to a reliable electronics repair shop of my acquaintance and see what they could do.
As expected, the problem was easily identified, with a failed chip to be replaced.
Labour cost for this was a fraction of the new scanner's price but ...
The failed chip had a label stuck on top with a unknown proprietary number on it.
Taking the label off revealed the chip's number had been roughly scraped off to prevent identification.
Needless to say, the next scanner I specced for purchase was not HP.
A good thing, for the other scanner failed later that year.
O.
no problem
I know plenty of apple repair dudes, they wouldn't think twice about helping out...
D'awww
"The Register has asked Apple to comment. We'll update the story if we hear back."
Awww. That's adorable. So trusting. The naïve innocence of youth. I bet you also write to Santa and the Great Pumpkin in expectation of a response!
You forgot to add
that everyone just love Pumpkin flavoured Latte's. /s Well, it is that time of year after all.
That's what you get
That's what you get for buying Apple. Proprietary connectors and accessories, intentionally hard to repair, and artificial obstacles being put in the way when you do decide to repair despite the difficulty.