Do smartphone makers have an incentive to make their phones easy to repair? Not really. If it forces customers to pay for more expensive official repairs or just buy a new phone outright, that would be better for their margins. However, changes to regulations and the right to repair movement have forced phone makers to rethink their approach. So, if you’re looking for a phone that has the potential to be easy to repair, then check out this OnePlus 15R teardown by the folks at PBKreviews .
OnePlus 15R teardown reveals easy-to-repair design
According to the teardown by PBKreviews, they found that the OnePlus 15R is a relatively easy phone to repair. In fact, they gave the phone an 8.5 out of 10 in terms of repairability. This is good news for those who plan to keep their phones around for years and don’t want to worry about the difficulty and cost of repairs.
But what makes the OnePlus 15R so easy to repair? Based on the teardown, the ease of repair is thanks to the design decisions made by OnePlus . This includes choosing to use common Philips screws as fasteners. Unlike other phones that might use more niche or unique fasteners, the choice to use Philips screws means that almost everyone should have a screwdriver at home that can unfasten them. The main board is also easy to remove, as it is only held down by one screw.
Since batteries are one of the more commonly replaced components, OnePlus has incorporated the use of a pull pouch. This makes it easier for users to pry out the battery . The cameras are also modular in design. They can be disconnected easily just by popping them off. Users can also remove the lens cover by applying heat and prying it off. This saves users time and effort instead of disassembling the entire phone.
Almost perfect, but still room for improvement
That being said, the 8.5 out of 10 score is pretty high, but it isn’t quite perfect. For starters, OnePlus has opted to use adhesives for the glass backplate. Users will have to use a hairdryer or heat gun to loosen it. While it’s not exactly difficult, the use of adhesives means that if users don’t apply enough heat, they could crack the glass. If they apply too much heat, it could damage the internal components.
Then, there are the two strips of graphite film and copper tape. These tapes have to be peeled back before the battery cables can be disconnected. This adds a layer of complexity and delicateness that could complicate it.
While the battery itself is relatively easy to remove as a whole, the display is a different story. Users have to remove the back plate, screws, and cover before disconnecting the screen flex cable. They also have to remove the subboard itself to gain access to the cable. Thereafter, the screen has to be heated up and pried off. Once that’s done, users have to apply new adhesive to stick it back into place.
Overall, it doesn’t seem like the OnePlus 15R is too complicated to repair . Certain parts are easier to remove than others, but we imagine it’s nothing too complex experienced repair shops can’t handle.
