The latest teardown of the iPhone 16 Pro by iFixit is now available, showcasing some notable changes compared to the previous year’s model. This teardown builds on their earlier examinations of the standard and Plus versions.
One of the standout features exclusive to the iPhone 16 Pro is its innovative battery design. In a bid to accommodate a new Camera Control button, Apple had to make certain adjustments.
Enhanced, Fully Encased Battery
According to iFixit, the batteries in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus remain unchanged, while the iPhone 16 Pro boasts a fully encased battery.
This type of battery is a first for the iPhone 16 Pro; it resembles those found in Apple Watches and utilizes stretch-release adhesive to secure it to the frame.
The key advantage of this fully metal-encased battery is that it eliminates fire risks, even if it gets accidentally punctured.
iFixit emphasizes that this design enhances safety and simplifies the repair process.
Despite the extra space occupied by the metal casing, the battery capacity has actually increased compared to last year. The iPhone 16 Pro features a 13.94Wh battery, surpassing the 12.7Wh capacity of the iPhone 15 Pro. This increase is unexpected given the additional materials surrounding the battery.
iFixit theorizes that the metal casing may not require as much space for expansion, providing further insights into the design.
Camera Control Adaptation: Antenna Relocation
All four iPhone models have seen the removal of one 5G mmWave antenna to make way for the Camera Control button. While this rearrangement shouldn’t pose a problem for the standard models, it may create challenges for the more compact titanium frames of the Pro and Pro Max versions.
Apple has addressed this by repositioning the antenna.
The solution involves shifting the antenna closer to the outer edge, utilizing a specially widened, hollow section near the top of the device.
However, there are concerns that high-band 5G signal strength may still be compromised, which could be a drawback for the small percentage of users relying on mmWave in the U.S.
Repairability Improvements
Apple has made significant progress in enhancing the repairability of its iPhones over the past year. Notably, users are no longer required to remove the screen to access internal components.
As with the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, Apple has provided repair guides from day one, marking a positive development in the field of repairability.
The dual-entry design allows for repairs without having to remove the display, and while the battery pull tabs are not without flaws, they facilitate easier battery removal compared to previous models.
In addition, the latest iOS 18 update has made it possible for most internal parts to be replaced with other OEM components without issues.
Last year’s iPhone 15 Pro Max received a repairability score of only 4/10, whereas the iFixit team rates both the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max at a more favorable 7/10.
To see the entire iPhone 16 Pro teardown, check out the video provided below.
Image: iFixit
