With the Apple Watch Series 12 and Watch Ultra 4 out, it's time for the usual iFixit teardown and assessment of how easy it is to repair the new Apple Watches. Spoiler alert: they are still very hard to disassemble and repair. Additionally, there might be a potential issue here, as the two devices don't necessarily comply with some Right to Repair laws in some US states like California, New York, Oregon, etc.
Starting with the Watch Series 12, which earned 4/10 on iFixit's repairability score, one point higher than the Series 11. That's because of the stretch-release adhesive used for the battery, making it much easier to pull out. The manufacturer also used a new simplified display connector. However, the watch still has to be opened through the display, even when charging the battery. This design approach increases the risk of breaking the display. Moreover, the downside of the new connector is that you need to remove the battery along with the display even if you are replacing only the panel.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4, on the other hand, hasn't moved an inch when it comes to repairability. Accessing the battery requires heating and removing the glued display, while the four screws on the back give you access only to the sensors, not the main components or battery. The process may compromise the waterproofing.
But that's not all. iFixit argues that the current state of the Apple Watches may go against certain Right to Repair laws. For instance, Apple doesn't provide tools, spare parts and the repair manuals the way it does for iPhones, iPads and Macs. This leaves Apple's authorized service centers as your only option for repairs.
The batteries might be the biggest issue here because they tend to be replaced sooner than any other component, and that requires removing the display first, which puts the panel at risk.
