Is the iPhone 16 the easiest to repair and most environmentally friendly Apple smartphone?

First iPhone 16 teardown movies are out, and this year’s Apple smartphones seem to be the easiest to repair in a long time. It’s not just the entry-level model, as all four devices can be repaired without removing the screen, which is a major feat considering how awkward it can be to navigate around OLED displays.

The fine folks at iFixit have announced three major improvements to the iPhone 16 series repairability. First, the adhesive securing the battery on the Base and Plus models, which is easier to work with than the adhesive strips on the iPhone 15. Then there’s the iPhone 16 Pro’s steel casing. This casing is much less likely to puncture during repairs than last year’s soft-touch battery casing. Finally, as we mentioned earlier, there’s what iFixit describes as a “front or back entry” design on all four models. This design change means you don’t have to remove the screen to work on the internals. This last factor is something we’ve seen on some of the best Android phones out there, and we’re glad to see Apple emulating it.

Not only does the improved repairability make the iPhone 16 more durable, but it also means it’s more environmentally friendly than previous versions. Combined with Apple’s push to use more recycled aluminum in its phones, repairable devices mean more supply on the secondary market and fewer phones ending up in landfills. So that’s a big win for you and the planet, which is always nice.

So that’s all good news, right? Well, not really. While iFixit’s teardown shows how much easier it is to repair the iPhone 16, drop tests conducted by Allstate (via MacRumors) indicate a slight improvement in terms of durability. In the front drop test, the device shattered almost completely, with only a few haptic signals suggesting a chance of repair. In the rear drop test, it fared a bit better, albeit slightly. While the phone still works, the completely shattered glass back makes the handset nearly useless without protective gloves.

I’ll admit, we didn’t expect the iPhone 16 to make it onto our list of the best rugged smartphones anytime soon. Still, given that the big reveal earlier this month was meant to highlight the improved durability of the second-generation Ceramic Shield, it doesn’t feel much more durable than the original, if at all. Not many devices pass the drop test with distinction or with working displays. However, given the high price of Apple’s flagships, we were hoping for at least some significant improvement in drop tests.

So if you’re thinking about buying an iPhone 16, it’s still worth spending the money on a new glass screen protector and case. Just remember that the base iPhone 16 and Plus models and the 15 series equivalents are the same size, so if you own one of the best iPhone 15 cases , you can just throw that abomination on as soon as the new device arrives.