Teardowns of the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 by iFixit show that while Apple made minor internal design adjustments, repairing either smartwatch remains difficult. Both models received a score of 4 out of 10 on iFixit's repairability scale, as technicians must still heat and pry off glued displays to access internal components such as the battery.
Minor Internal Adjustments in Series 12
The Apple Watch Series 12 received a one-point increase over its predecessor's repairability score. iFixit noted that Apple added a stretch-release adhesive tab to simplify battery removal, eliminating the need to pry out the battery using a specialized spudger tool. Additionally, Apple replaced the previous zero insertion force (ZIF) display connector and tape with a press connector positioned under a bracket. However, replacing the display now requires removing and replacing the battery as well. The battery capacity also expanded slightly to 1,461Wh, up from 1,403Wh in the Series 11 model.
Persistent Design Hurdles in Ultra 4
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 maintained a 4 out of 10 repairability score, matching the previous three generations of the line. Although four pentalobe screws are located on the bottom of the watch casing, iFixit observed that they only access the sensor assembly and removing them compromises the device's waterproofing. Reaching the internal 2,444Wh battery still requires heating the display perimeter for roughly ten minutes and carefully slicing through the adhesive seal using a pick.
Right-to-Repair Scrutiny and Service Costs
iFixit raised concerns regarding Apple’s compliance with electronics right-to-repair laws active in ten U.S. states, including California, New York, and Texas. The repair advocate highlighted that Apple provides no official watch repair manuals, dedicated service tools, or replacement parts through its Self-Service Repair program. With official out-of-warranty service estimates reaching $599 for broader repairs on a GPS-and-cellular Series 12 model—which starts at $399 new—hardware accessibility remains restricted compared to competing devices like Google's Pixel Watch 5, which earned a 9 out of 10 repairability score.
AI-generated editorial illustration; not a documentary photograph.
Source: Apple Watch repairability barely improves with Series 12 and Ultra 4
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