When it comes to repairing certain aspects of the iPhone 12, some third-party companies are going to have a difficult time getting the device back into tip-top shape.
According to iFixit, which just published a recent teardown of the iPhone 12, the phone itself apparently has more than a few problems when users replace the camera module. Doing so can result in the cameras becoming near-totally unusable. The problem? It doesn’t appear to be related to any sort of hardware-only issue.
YouTuber Hugh Jeffreys originally called out the issue, namely when taking one camera module from an iPhone and swapping it into another. The iPhone with the replacement hardware appears to have problems with rejecting the replacement part. iFixit has lined out issues after doing so as the camera refuses to respond as well as problems with the ultrawide camera.
As expected, this doesn’t quite bode well for potential repairs by third parties in the future. Apple has not offered commentary on whether this is a short-lived issue or even a glitch that only seems to affect the iPhone 12’s cameras. Given that Apple’s own repair notes indicate that camera and display repairs will require Apple’s in-house System Configuration app (relegated previously only to battery swaps) it seems that tighter regulations on what non-Apple techs can resolve could be around the corner.
Apple did issue a statement, but didn’t speak on the iPhone 12’s camera swap glitches.
“We are committed to giving our customers more options and locations for safe and reliable repairs. Our new independent repair provider program is designed to give repair businesses of all sizes access to genuine parts, training and tools needed to perform the most common iPhone repairs,” read the statement. “These service providers have access to the same tools and repair manuals used by Apple and Authorized Service Providers (AASPs).”
We’ll have to see what, if anything, changes when the iPhone 12 Pro hits store shelves.
