iPhone Air Teardown Reveals Design Secrets
Introduction
The latest iPhone teardown by iFixit has revealed some interesting findings about the iPhone Air. The design of the phone, with the logic board at the top, has helped the phone to avoid another potential Bendgate scandal. But that's not the only interesting feature that has been uncovered.
Design and Battery
Upon taking apart the iPhone Air, iFixit found that the phone is mostly battery. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as it means the phone can have a longer battery life. However, it also means that the phone has less space for other components, making it more challenging to repair. The design of the phone also plays a crucial role in preventing bending, as the logic board at the top helps distribute the weight more evenly.
Implications
The implications of this teardown are significant. The iPhone Air is known for its sleek and slim design, and now we know that it is mostly due to its battery. This also means that users may have to compromise on repairability for a longer battery life. However, the design also helps prevent bending, which is a significant concern for many users. So while there are some trade-offs, the overall design of the iPhone Air seems to have found a good balance between form and function.
About the Organizations Mentioned
iFixit
iFixit is a private company founded in 2003 by Luke Soules and Kyle Wiens in a dorm room at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, California. It began when the founders attempted to repair a broken iBook G3 without instructions, leading them to harvest parts from broken devices and create free online repair guides. From these origins, iFixit evolved into the world’s largest online repair community, dedicated to empowering people to fix their own electronics and reduce electronic waste[1][2][4][6]. The company specializes in selling repair parts and precision tools, alongside publishing an extensive, wiki-like collection of free repair manuals covering over 65,000 devices in multiple languages. iFixit is particularly known for its detailed "teardowns," where they disassemble new consumer electronics—especially Apple products—to assess repairability and educate users. These teardowns have been widely recognized and cited by major tech publications such as PC World and Mac Observer[1][2][5]. A key achievement of iFixit is the development of its own line of high-quality repair tools, including the Pro Tech Toolkit, designed to address challenges like proprietary screws (e.g., Apple’s pentalobe screws). This innovation reflects iFixit's commitment to making repairs more accessible and user-friendly[3]. Beyond selling parts and tools, iFixit offers a SaaS platform called Dozuki, enabling other companies and communities to create repair documentation using iFixit’s framework. This platform is used by notable publishers like O'Reilly Media[1]. iFixit also advocates for the Right to Repair movement, aiming to influence legislation and product design toward greater repairability. Despite occasional conflicts with manufacturers—such as Apple removing iFixit’s app in 2015 due to a teardown violating an NDA—the company remains a central figure in promoting sustainable electronics use and repair culture[1][4]. Today, iFixit maintains offices in the US and Europe, supports a vibran
