You have the right to repair the things you own—but how easily can that be done?
To find out, our engineers tear down the latest smartphones and score their repairability from zero (unrepairable) to ten (easiest to repair) so you can pick a product that is easy to repair and lasts as long as possible.
What makes a repairable device?
It should be straightforward to disassemble and replace whatever’s broken, using parts and instructions supplied (or endorsed) by the manufacturer. But that’s just to start—repairability means so much more. For full details, see our repairability scoring explainer.
Repairability is a moving target
We update our scoring rubric frequently to stay current with new technologies, materials, and design trends. This means that devices scored in years past might not fare exactly the same if they were re-scored today, but they can be readily compared with their contemporaries. For a precise list of criteria used to calculate each score, click the scorecard version number linked to each device below. For a downloadable (CSV) list of all scores, click here.
Smartphone Scores
Sorted by newest to oldest
HMD Skyline
PROS
- Getting the device open is easy thanks to a novel camshaft mechanism.
- Screen and battery repairs are well-prioritized.
- HMD support offers replacement parts and repair instructions for common repairs.
CONS
- Battery adhesive, though mild, requires some extra effort to clean and replace during a repair.
Google Pixel Fold
PROS
- Google provides a free, comprehensive service manual.
- Genuine replacement parts and software calibration tools are available for end users.
CONS
- All repairs require carefully de-gluing (and later re-gluing) the outer display and/or back cover.
- Foldable smartphone repairs in general present challenges due to the inherent complexity of the product.
Google Pixel 8
PROS
- Google provides a free public service manual and offers OEM replacement parts for common repairs.
- The display is well-prioritized, and secures with clips even when replacement adhesive isn’t available.
CONS
- The battery is stubbornly glued down, and the soldered charge port can’t be easily replaced.
Google Pixel 8 Pro
PROS
- Google provides a free public service manual and offers OEM replacement parts for common repairs.
- The display is well-prioritized, and secures with clips even when replacement adhesive isn’t available.
CONS
- The battery is stubbornly glued down, and the soldered charge port can’t be easily replaced.
Apple iPhone 15
PROS
- Great design prioritizes screen repairs while giving access to all other parts through the back glass.
- Screws and clips aid reassembly, whether you replace the adhesives or not.
CONS
- DIY repairs are hobbled by pervasive parts pairing and deterrent messaging.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
PROS
- Great design prioritizes screen repairs while giving access to all other parts through the back glass.
- Screws and clips aid reassembly, whether you replace the adhesives or not.
CONS
- DIY repairs are hobbled by pervasive parts pairing and deterrent messaging.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
PROS
- Display and battery replacements remain a priority in the design.
- Previously irreplaceable back glass is now immediately replaceable.
CONS
- Extensive parts pairing results in painful compromises for many DIY repairs.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
PROS
- Display and battery replacements remain a priority in the design.
- Previously irreplaceable back glass is now immediately replaceable.
CONS
- Extensive parts pairing results in painful compromises for many DIY repairs.
Fairphone 5
PROS
- Easy to disassemble/reassemble with basic tools—no adhesive blocks the way.
- End users can replace the battery in a few seconds.
- Fairphone provides a DIY service manual and offers original replacement parts.
Google Pixel 7a
PROS
- Google provides no service manual, but does offer a limited set of replacement parts.
- The screen and back cover are well-prioritized for repair, but secured only with adhesive.
CONS
- The glued-down battery can be tough to access, and the soldered charge port is impractical to repair.
Nokia G22
PROS
- Easily pried open for repairs, with no adhesive mess.
- Battery replacements are well-prioritized.
- Nokia supplies parts and guides for at least four of the most common repairs.
CONS
- Screen repairs are do-able but not well prioritized.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
PROS
- Standard Phillips screws throughout the phone.
CONS
- The battery is still strongly glued down—a new pull tab helps only marginally.
- Screen repairs require a lot of disassembly while battling tough adhesive.
Google Pixel 7
PROS
- Clips securing the display make for reliable reassembly, even when replacement adhesive isn’t available.
- Google offers a limited set of replacement parts (but no service manual).
CONS
- The soldered charge port and fragile back glass are impractical to repair.
Google Pixel 7 Pro
PROS
- Clips securing the display make for reliable reassembly, even when replacement adhesive isn’t available.
- Google offers a limited set of replacement parts (but no service manual).
CONS
- The glued-down battery can be tough to access, and the soldered charge port is impractical to repair.
Apple iPhone 14
PROS
- Display and battery replacements remain a priority in the design.
- Previously irreplaceable back glass is now immediately replaceable.
CONS
- Extensive parts pairing results in painful compromises for many DIY repairs.
Apple iPhone 14 Plus
PROS
- Display and battery replacements remain a priority in the design.
- Previously irreplaceable back glass is now immediately replaceable.
CONS
- Proprietary screws and parts pairing can foil many repairs.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
PROS
- Display and battery replacements remain a priority in the design.
- Most other components are modular and straightforward to access or replace.
CONS
- Unlike in the non-Pro models, there’s still no good way to replace the rear glass.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
PROS
- Display and battery replacements remain a priority in the design.
- Most other components are modular and straightforward to access or replace.
CONS
- Unlike in the non-Pro models, there’s still no good way to replace the rear glass.
Google Pixel 6a
PROS
- Display and battery repairs are well-prioritized, but complicated by reliance on adhesives.
- Google offers a limited set of replacement parts (but no service manual).
CONS
- The soldered charge port and glued back glass are impractical to repair.
Samsung Galaxy S22
PROS
- Standard Phillips screws throughout the phone.
CONS
- The battery is strongly glued and requires extensive disassembly to service.
- Screen repairs require a lot of disassembly while battling tough adhesive.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
PROS
- Standard Phillips screws throughout the phone.
CONS
- The battery is strongly glued and requires extensive disassembly to service.
- Screen repairs require a lot of disassembly while battling tough adhesive.