How are the consumers winning their battle against major tech companies like Apple and Google?

 Apple recently faced quite some bash from the internet for the new iPhone 13 series. Although they were renowned for their revolting approaches to smartphone hardware, they took it to the next level this time. The latest smartphones from Apple have new hardware encryption technology for Face ID. They kept including one component after another to stop the right to repair campaign. The first noticeable hardware encryption was the Touch ID home button. It was not user replaceable by the consumers themselves unless they went to a genius bar. Apple programmed each Touch ID home button with the specific motherboard. If someone tries to replace it, it ruined the home button functionality completely. Even while using OEM parts, this issue occurred. Apple introduced other components to their master plan to spoil the third-party repair shops.

The new Google Pixel 6 Pro (left) and the new Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max (Image: Gadgets 360)

On the Android side, the OEMs also follow a similar route to create a monopoly in the repair business. Companies like Samsung and Google started to embed the smartphone components with the motherboard. Although Android smartphones were far beyond the idea of monopoly, major tech brands wanted a taste of anti-right to repair. You cannot blame the companies either, as they are ultimately selling the smartphones for profits. They are apparent to embed their products for more profits. It seems like this idea is changing, and the mass consumers are behind this revolution. Major tech companies are backing down from the anti-right to repair campaign. One brand is even offering the option to calibrate new components after a repair.

How did Apple change its strategy?

Judging by the history of Apple, they tried to keep their business intact from every aspect. Recently they started taking the charging adapter from the smartphone packaging. Although they claimed it for reducing carbon emissions from the e-waste, their prime goal was to increase profit. If they honestly thought about the environment, their adapter would not have a USB-C port for the outlet. Until the iPhone 12 series, the OEM chargers had a regular USB-A port. If anyone had a charger from iPhone 6 or 7, they could not use it with the new phones. Almost everyone had to buy the adapter separately after purchasing either one from iPhone 12 or 13 series.

iPhone genuine display massage after a repair (Image: Future Supplier)

Aside from all the carbon-neutral concepts, Apple also kept including different components in their smartphones to stop consumer-friendly repairs. They started with the Touch ID home button first and then added one part after the other. Apple included all major components that require frequent renovation like the battery, rear cameras, Face ID module, display. That didn't stop the third-party repair community from creating solutions for the encryption issue. Chinese vendors made custom reprogramming devices to bring True Tone functions after a display repair. Those reprogramming devices also solved genuine part problems after replacing the iPhone's battery.

This year, Apple is back at it again with their new smartphones. Although there is an impressive upgrade of the display component, it still gets on the nerve of some individuals. The improved display components of the iPhone 13 series combine the display and digitizer connectors into one where they were separate previously. They also separated the Face ID module from the display assembly this year. At first glance, it might seem that The Face ID module is replaceable without an issue. After replacing the components even with genuine Apple parts, the consequences emerge. iOS 15 doesn't allow the new module to talk to the motherboard. The dot projector and other Face ID exclusive components works accept the front camera. Aside from this issue, Apple also embeds the rear cameras and battery.

Genuine battery massage even after installing an OEM part (Image: Apple)

 If anyone wants to solve this problem, it requires complex micro soldering. A repair expert needs to interchange the original identification IC from the back of the display with the new one. Even pros cannot do it properly as it causes the fragile display panel to damage while heating and re-soldering the chip. This debacle started a backlash among consumers and people like Louis Rossmann. People were furious on the internet about this problem caused by the OEM. That repercussion forced Apple to create a software solution. They assured the consumers and third-party repair shops of a new patch for the upcoming iOS 15 release. Whether they will create a consumer-friendly repair solution or make a twist in it is yet to notice. 

How is Google working for the right to repair?

The internal components of the new Pixel 6 Pro (Image: 

Piyush Bhasarkar

)

Alongside Apple, most other OEM brands started embedding the components in their smartphones. Although many companies mock the monopoly of Apple's business model, they copy their strategies one or two years later anyway. The removal of the headphone jack and charging adapter from the box are two of the prime example of it. When manufacturers notice the profit potentials of Apple's hideous so-called courage, they start changing their business model. Google also followed the same path and started monopolizing their smartphone repairs with OEM-level encryption. It changed with the release of the new Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. 

Google did not embed the cameras, battery, or display with the motherboard this time. Australian YouTuber Hugh Jeffreys demonstrated the lack of encryption with two new Pixel 6 Pros. He tore down two completely new Pixels and swapped the motherboard between them. After exchanging, there was no error message on the display, batter, or cameras. All components were working fine except the under-display fingerprint sensor. Google encrypted it with the motherboard, which could be a headache for some repair shops. 

The online Pixel repair tool from Google (Image: Bamquest)

Surprising everyone out of the blue, they gave a solution to this problem with a software fix. There is an official Pixel repair tool available from Google, which lets anyone recalibrate the new components. The most impressive factor of it is users don't even have to download this software. Any human can connect the Pixel with a data cable to a PC and run the recalibration tool via the browser. This recalibration can wipe out any incompatibility issue with the phone. 

Conclusions

If All smartphone manufacturers follow a user-friendly idea, it will revolutionize the tech community. Consumers will not get deceived after buying a new smartphone or PC. This approach will also help reduce e-waste as users can keep their devices for the long term. Since it is less profitable for the OEM's, most brands would not take this route. 

What do you think about the new change in the smartphone industry? Do your iPhones or Pixels bothers you after damage? Or do you like this practice among prime smartphone companies?