Concluding iFixit’s teardown sequence for Apple’s September launches, iFixit today published the teardown of the new Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4. Here’s what they found.
iFixit tears down Apple Watch Ultra 4
After applying heat to the new Apple Watch Ultra 4’s screen, iFixit’s Shahram Mokhtari uses the company’s new metal pick to pry the screen open, exposing the battery and the Taptic Engine.
He notes that replacing the 2.444 Wh battery (versus 2.313 Wh in the Ultra 3) still requires removing the screen, which remains a significant repairability drawback. The four screws on the bottom of the case provide access only to the sensor assembly on the underside of the back cover and the S11 chip on the case itself.
Once the screen is unglued, though, removing the battery and disconnecting the display’s press connector seems straightforward enough, provided that the initial step was done carefully enough to avoid slicing through any of the flex cables underneath.
That said, with no significant improvements in repairability, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 scored 4/10 on iFixit’s repairability scale, the same as its predecessor.
iFixit tears down Apple Watch Series 12
iFixit’s teardown of the new Apple Watch Series 12 revealed a slight repairability improvement, with Apple adding stretch-release adhesive and a pull tab that make the 1.461 Wh battery (versus 1.403 Wh in the 46mm Series 11) easier to remove.
Still, as with the Apple Watch Ultra 4, the Series 12 also requires prying off the glued display to get inside, which remains the biggest obstacle to repairs. Mokhtari noted that the tolerances around the Series 12’s display are even tighter than on the Ultra 4, requiring enough force to make him concerned about potentially damaging the screen.
Mokhtari also noted that Apple replaced the ZIF connector and tape used for the display on previous models with a simpler press connector.
The tradeoff is that replacing the screen now also requires removing and replacing the battery, “which, if you’ve come this far, why wouldn’t you?” he adds.
All in all, the modest repairability improvements were enough for iFixit to give the Series 12 a 4/10 repairability score, a 1-point bump from the last base-model Apple Watch it scored.
For comparison, iFixit gave Google’s Pixel Watch 5 a 9/10 repairability score, noting that its display can be removed with just two Torx screws and a gasket, while its battery can also be removed without dealing with adhesive.
You can watch iFixit’s teardown of the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 below:
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