BARCELONA—iFixit is known for its how-to-repair videos for myriad devices, as well as the repair kits it sells to facilitate those repairs. The company teamed up with HMD Global, the maker of Nokia phones, to showcase what happens when you build a device with repairability in mind, giving us a look at the process at Mobile World Congress.
The Nokia G22 ($179) was designed specifically for select repairs. iFixit and HMD Global settled on four different components for self-repair, which were determined by the typical repairs for most smartphones, meaning the battery, the display, the rear panel, and the USB-C module.
iFixit sells individual repair kits for each of these components, with or without the tools necessary to fix them. For example, the cost of a replacement battery is $24.99, but you can get a battery kit with tools for $29.99. The screen is the most expensive component to replace. Once you've bought the proper component, you then follow iFixit's video instructions to disassemble the device, replace the specific part, and reassemble it.
We watched as an iFixit expert replaced the G22's battery. The process involved using a guitar-pick-like tool to separate the display from the mid-frame and then eventually pop the screen off. The screen needed to be disconnected, which required several small screws to come out. The repair person also needed to remove several small components and lift a flap of material to access the battery. The battery is glued in, so it took some effort to yank it free of the rear chassis. It took the expert about five minutes from start to finish.
The Nokia G22 is a low-cost phone to begin with and is clearly not made with the same level of finesse as today's $1,000 flagships. It's large, made mostly of plastic, and is relatively lightweight for its size. I imagine pulling the screen off an iPhone or Galaxy phone takes more effort.
Still, in the ongoing battle for right to repair, this is a small step in the right direction.