Apple’s first foldable iPhone, which could end up being called the iPhone Ultra, may have more going for it than a wider form factor. A fresh Weibo post from tipster Instant Digital (刹那数码) claims the phone could also be easier to open, repair, and take apart than other foldable phones.
Foldables are still notoriously difficult to fix because of their compact layouts, fragile displays, and complex cable routing. Even Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which is considered one of the more repairable foldables, only received a 4 out of 10 repairability score from iFixit. That should give you an idea of how challenging foldable repairs can be.
Could Apple make foldables easier to fix?
The new post claims Apple has designed a cleaner internal structure for the device, avoiding complicated cable routing in favor of a more modular layout. That could make repairs easier by reducing the risk of technicians pulling or damaging cables while opening the phone.
To achieve this, Apple has reportedly placed the motherboard on the right side of the phone, routing the cables upward to connect with the volume controls. As many may remember, the tipster previously claimed that the volume control would be located on the top-right edge of the frame, similar to an iPad mini.
The power button with Touch ID and the camera control are also said to be on the right edge of the device, leaving the left side to house the display internals and the alleged biggest battery ever used in an iPhone.
Is repairability the iPhone Ultra’s biggest surprise?
In recent years, Apple has been taking steps to make iPhones more repairable, a shift that could be attributed to increasing regulatory pressure as well as the Right to Repair movement. Since the iPhone 16, battery removal has become much easier thanks to electrically induced adhesive debonding. If the latest leak is accurate, Apple’s first foldable iPhone could take that repairability push into a category where repairs are usually far more difficult.