iPhone 17 Pro Teardown Reveals New Repair Hurdles

The iPhone 17 Pro has officially gone under iFixit’s screwdrivers, and the teardown reveals just how much Apple has changed its design philosophy compared to previous generations.

While last year’s iPhone 16 Pro relied on titanium, the 17 Pro returns to aluminum – but the changes go far deeper than materials. The internal structure now alters how technicians approach repairs, and not all the news is positive.

One of the standout differences is the redesigned rear. Instead of a full glass back that could be removed to access the battery and other parts, Apple now uses a smaller glass “window” that mainly serves wireless charging and MagSafe functionality. This panel doesn’t open the door to easy fixes anymore. Instead, almost every meaningful repair begins with the delicate process of removing the front display – a riskier and more expensive entry point.

Once inside, iFixit’s team noted that the mid-frame structure holds the battery, and they praised Apple for at least making the battery removal more straightforward once that step is reached. However, the overall design still complicates common repairs like replacing the USB-C port, which remains a tedious and time-consuming job. As a result, while the iPhone 17 Pro earns a provisional 7/10 repairability score, it feels slightly less friendly to DIY repairs than Apple’s cheaper models or even last year’s Air edition, which had a similar teardown result.

The teardown also tackled the so-called “Scratchgate.” Apple’s anodized aluminum finish looks premium, but around the sharp edges of the camera island, the anodization is thinner and more prone to scratches. Ironically, the flagship Pro models show more cosmetic vulnerability than the standard iPhone 17, which uses the same material but in a less stress-prone design.

What does this mean for consumers? If you’re upgrading from the iPhone 16 Pro, you might find that while performance and design polish continue to improve, practical concerns like durability and ease of repair have taken a step backward. Several users have pointed out that Apple previously offered easier access to batteries in base models starting with the iPhone 14, while the Pro line continues to prioritize form over serviceability. Many enthusiasts argue that a rear-accessible battery, as seen in older models, would have been a smarter path – eliminating risks of damaging the display or introducing dust inside the cameras during routine maintenance.

Apple’s balance between aesthetics, durability, and repairability has always been contentious, and the iPhone 17 Pro highlights that tension once again. While it remains one of the most advanced smartphones on the market, it’s also another reminder that sleek design often comes at the cost of user-friendly repairs.