iPhone repair

Looking forward to swapping out parts on your iPhone to make it white? How about replacing that weak battery? Better check the bottom screws on either side of the dock connector port first. According to iFixit, Apple has been shipping recently manufactured iPhone 4 units with Pentalobe screws.

This head design is similar to a Torx screw, however the Pentalobe has five rounded lobes. Pentalobe drivers are not commercially available, which makes the screws more difficult to remove. That is, unless you're an Apple authorized repair outfit.

Smartphone and electronics warranty provider SquareTrade recently shared its smartphone data in a report comparing the iPhone 4 to other mobile devices. Included in the study were four months of data on the iPhone 4, eight months of data on Motorola and HTC Android devices, and one year of RIM BlackBerry data. The iPhone 4 led the group in reliability, with only 2.1 percent projected to have a non-accident malfunction in the first year of ownership.

Motorola is hot on the iPhone's heels, with only a 2.3 percent non-accident malfunction rate. HTC took third place in the reliability contest, while BlackBerry devices had the highest rate of spontaneous problems at 6.3 percent. Remarkably, 77 percent of smartphone failures from devices made by these four companies are due to accidental damage. When it comes to accidents, the numbers paint a different picture.

Apple has filed patents indicating the company is working on "consumer abuse detection" for devices such as the iPhone and iPod. The system described in the patent filing shows circuitry that would record information whenever the hardware is treated in a manner that is not covered under warranty or Apple Care coverage.

Shocks and impacts to the iPhone, exceeding the maximum safe operating temperature, and exposure to water are examples of events that could be recorded, along with any resulting damage to the device. During a warranty claim, the data could be retrieved to see if the device has been abused or is still covered.

Next generation iPhone parts have already hit the web. Online wholesaler China Ontrade has a menu item labeled iPhone 4G Spare Parts, and claims to have stocked two parts from the not-yet-released third generation iPhone.

One of the parts is the bezel frame, and the other an LCD screen. The bezel frame sports a different shape and color than the iPhone 3G bezel, and runs $79.27. Anyone following rumors lately might have expected an OLED screen on the new iPhone.

So you've watched the videos and looked at the photos of iPhone 3G disassembly and now you're ready for action. The glass screen is cracked and/or the LCD is broken and you have no intention of spending days without your device and paying Apple $200 or more. Although the do-it-yourself attitude is noble, it could cost you even more money if you're not careful. The tutorials above are a good start, but more details can only help.

Take these tips to heart if you're going to fix the screen yourself. First and foremost don't ever buy the glass alone (typically $20). It's useless. The digitizer can't be detached from the front glass. The next best option is the front glass and digitizer together (around $60). The LCD is mounted with screws behind the digitizer and runs $80-90. Remember, you perform this repair at your own risk, and will render any remaining warranty invalid.