Before the start of the new year, Zach from JerryRigEverything put out a video titled ‘Smartphone Durability Awards 2023!’ in which he provides his picks for the best handsets for various categories. Apple might not have won any repairability awards last year, but when it comes to internal aesthetics, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max won first place. A surprising entrant to this list was Google’s mid-ranger, the Pixel 7a, as it won the most durable smartphone award.
ASUS’ ROG Ultimate 7 Ultimate one-ups Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max by being the least repairable
Starting with the most repairable, the YouTuber states that the Fairphone 5 takes the win in this category because every component it features can be seamlessly swapped with a screwdriver, with the replacement parts being readily available from the manufacturer. This business model prevents the need to browse on online retailers such as AliExpress. The Fairphone 5 also comes with a limited 5-year warranty, giving customers additional peace of mind. Unfortunately, this device is not officially available in the U.S., but depending on the ever-changing industry, that can change soon.
The runner-up for the most repair-friendly smartphone for 2023 was the Pixel 8 Pro, with parts being available from iFixit. Sadly, you still need some tools, such as a heat gun, to loosen the display’s adhesive, but the process is still simpler than what other manufacturers are consistently practicing. As for the least repairable smartphone, ASUS beat Apple with its ROG Phone 7 Ultimate. Thanks to its three separate circuit boards, two batteries, and a boatload of ribbon cables paired with glue and screws, any third-party repair personnel will be pulling out their hair trying to disassemble and re-assemble these parts.
However, by being awarded the least repairable phone of 2023, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate also attained the title of the most innovative smartphone, as it features a motorized flap that opens up to reveal a copper heatsink used to dissipate hot air. As for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, Zach believes that from the inside, both flagships are the ‘coolest looking,’ though he did have some comments regarding Apple’s deceptive marketing tactics of the titanium chassis the company employs on both phones. Instead of a whole block of titanium, Apple only uses a ‘superficial’ layer that is applied on top of aluminum.
For the least foldable smartphone, you have Google’s Pixel Fold, whereas the Pixel 7a takes the top spot for being the most durable, largely thanks to its polycarbonate back. The Mountain View has now won three smartphone awards. While we have not mentioned all the accolades, we recommend you watch the video above to get a better idea of which phone maker prioritizes which aspect of their next product, as it will allow you to plan your upgrade accordingly.
News Source: JerryRigEverything
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