The iPhone SE 2020 has been available in stores since Friday. On Thursday we already had a first video which shows the device from the inside and compares it with the iPhone 8. But now it's iFixit's turn.
The repair professionals at iFixit have now disassembled the iPhone SE 2020 and shown which components are compatible with an iPhone 8 and which are not. Until now, exchanging various components between two iPhone models of different generations was hardly imaginable. But the iPhone SE 2020 and the iPhone 8 show how it can be done. For example, parts such as the camera and Taptic Engine can be exchanged. iFixit explains:
The good parts first: The iPhone SE's cameras, SIM tray, Taptic Engine, and display assembly (including the microphone and proximity sensor) are all interchangeable with parts from the iPhone 8. And that screen should be cheaper to replace than any new iPhone we've seen in years.
Backward compatibility is commendable
But there's a catch. If the home button is replaced without an official authorization, Touch ID loses its functionality due to security requirements. Replacing the display will result in the loss of True Tone functionality, as iFixit points out, as far as an independent repair shop would be concerned. Replacing the battery is also not possible, as they use different connectors on the logic board, despite the identical shape. Apart from that, Apple's "latest" guidelines prevent the iPhone battery from being replaced by an unofficial party – more on that. hereOverall, iFixit still gives the device a thumbs-up, as it does offer some degree of backward compatibility. This is an advantage both in manufacturing and repair, as it reduces production waste and ensures that some spare parts are already in stock. (Image: Apple)
