Recently launched, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are making waves for an innovative new feature aimed at simplifying battery removal. Unlike the higher-end 16 Pro and Pro Max, these models introduce a “debond on demand” adhesive process that eliminates the need for the cumbersome pull-tabs that have long been a part of iPhone repairs.
A detailed teardown by iFixit reveals the inner workings of this new method. According to Apple’s newly released iPhone 16 Battery Repair Guide, the battery is secured with an electrically-induced adhesive. This method allows users to deactivate the glue using a simple 9V battery connected to red and black crocodile clips. These clips need to be attached to a new silver tab on the battery and a grounding screw located near the speaker array to effectively release the adhesive.
iFixit’s exploration confirms that this debonding protocol works efficiently, even with alternative power sources up to 30W, including some power banks. This innovative adhesive, believed to be supplied by Tesa, is incredibly strong without activating its electrochemical properties—another discovery made during a separate teardown by Phone Repair Guru.
Thanks to this new feature, the iPhone 16 series has achieved an iFixit score of 7/10 for reparability. It’s a significant advantage over the Pro and Pro Max models, which still use traditional pull-tabs and are unlikely to achieve a similar reparability score.
As technology and design continue to evolve, Apple’s latest approach to making battery replacement easier could set a new standard in smartphone reparability, potentially influencing other manufacturers to follow suit. In doing so, Apple is not just addressing a common pain point for users but also making strides in sustainability by encouraging easier repairs.
