iFixit Downgrades iPhone 14 Repairability Score to 'Do Not Recommend'

pcmag.com:

For a few generations now, iPhones have been difficult to repair. Mainly because of the back glass, which required crazy laser machines if you managed to shatter it. So when the iPhone 14 non-Pro models debuted with a redesign that made back glass repair much more accessible, iFixit was elated and gave it a 7 out of 10 repair score. But now, iFixit is retroactively changing that score to a 4 (do not recommend), for good reason.

The iPhone 14 is the only device iFixit plans to rescore for now, but the change is partly due to an overhaul of iFixit's repair scoring system.

The company revealed new criteria in a blog post today while separately explaining the decision to lower the iPhone's score. That new criteria clarifies why iFixit changed its mind and explains that Apple could regain the higher score with some software changes. And if you're wondering how software could possibly affect a repairability score, that's where software calibration and parts paring comes in. The first can often be a necessary process of repairs, while the second may occasionally be justified, but the real devil in the details is accessibility.

Software calibration is common in repairs, especially when a moving part is involved. For instance, when you replace the joystick in a controller, you may use software calibration to ensure the joystick is detected and centered correctly. You can accomplish that with the Nintendo Switch right in the console's OS, which makes for an easier repair process. If you can't calibrate your new part, it won't work correctly, and your repair won't be successful.

Parts pairing, on the other hand, is a little more complicated. Imagine this scenario: you have an iPhone 13 Pro with a cracked screen and another