Apple introduced a number of major products, but none stood out more than the new battery removal process for the base iPhone 16. Apple does away with the usual pull tabs in favor of an adhesive that releases in response to a low electrical current. It only takes about a minute and a half to come loose, according to Apple. A teardown of shows the process in action, and it certainly looks easier than ever. “I'm not sure we've ever had a battery removal process that was so clean and smooth,” said iFixit engineer Shahram Mokhtari.
Only the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus feature the new adhesive, and they earned a 7/10 on iFixit's repairability scale. “Apple certainly seems to be taking a step forward in terms of repairability,” Mokhtari said, adding that Apple “scored another repairability victory” with this year's base iPhones thanks to the new battery removal procedure.
