Anyone thinking about using Apple’s self service repair for their iPhone Mini may want to examine their options more carefully, as The Verge’s Sean Hollister was shipped a 79-pound repair kit to fix his phone’s 1.1-ounce battery after reaching out to the company. Additionally, while Apple only charges $69 to replace the battery, the cost for self service repair can run over $1,300 due to rental authorization charges. The 79-pound kit includes tools, a repair manual, an industrial heat press, and the relevant replacement parts. Note the phone at the bottom of the second image for size comparison. Hollister even needed to contact Apple to validate the new battery via Wi-Fi and remote access.
The thing you should understand about Apple’s home repair process is that it’s a far cry from traditional DIY if you opt for the kit — which I did, once I saw the repair manual only contains instructions for Apple’s own tools. (You can just buy a battery if you want.)
I expected Apple would send me a small box of screwdrivers, spudgers, and pliers; I own a mini iPhone, after all. Instead, I found two giant Pelican cases — 79 pounds of tools — on my front porch. I couldn’t believe just how big and heavy they were considering Apple’s paying to ship them both ways.
Source: The Verge
I mean, I know Apple's products don't follow traditional Design for Serviceability guidelines, but this is just ridiculous.
Are they trying to make some sort of foolish point?
Phones aren’t made to be easily disassembled, and if it takes a 69 lb rig to do it right, that’s what it takes. Not justifying the manufacturing and design choices, but who cares what the tool weighs?
But it seems to me that this is some ridiculous anti right to repair stunt from apple and they wouldn't do this for any old user.
First look at Apple's iPhone screen repair machine in action as it comes to Best Buy & other retailers [Gallery]
Has the equipment to bond the glass/touchscreen and other stuff. Also need to break down the glue and crap they use to stick all this together.
This is from about 5 years ago, and I don't think the process to open up an already-manufacturer phone has become any less complicated. So yeah, it's been a lot more than just a screwdriver, at least for Apple, for quite some time now.