Apple to move genuine iPhone part calibration on-device in potential independent repair-friendly move
Apple has been repeatedly and vociferously lambasted by independent repair activists and enthusiasts for its infamous 'parts-pairing' model of genuine component verification in the past. The OEM counters this criticism with the argument that the practice is "critical to preserving the privacy, security, and safety" for its users; nevertheless, its impact on the ability to restore damaged hardware (often, but not always, iPhones) without resorting to the OEM's Authorized Technician services are hard to dismiss.
However, Apple has now unveiled plans to upgrade these devices so that they can "calibrate" replacement parts by themselves (which might be interpreted to mean that they could then verify that they are genuine components and proceed to use them as though they were the originals without those dreaded "Important Messages" disrupting the use of features such as adaptive brightness or True Tone).
Louis Rossmann's reception of this new policy and its potential to preserve and extend an given device's useful life, might be limited in warmth, however. These replacement parts in used, yet still first-party, condition are to be available exclusively through Apple's own independent and Self Service Repair facilities, and not until Fall 2024.
Furthermore, they are to be compatible with "select (read: most likely newer and more expensive) models" on their roll-out; moreover, the potentially prized ability to support used sensors for functions such as Face ID is to become exclusive to "future releases" such as the upcoming iPhone 16 or 17 series.
Source(s)
