iFixit’s latest teardown brings bad news for anyone who hoped this year’s Apple Watches would get easier to fix: the Series 12 and Watch Ultra 4 remain stubbornly difficult to disassemble and repair.
The Watch Series 12 earned a 4/10 repairability score — one point better than the Series 11, thanks to a stretch-release battery adhesive that’s much easier to pull out and a simplified display connector. But the catch is significant: the watch still opens through the display even for a battery swap, which puts the panel at constant risk, and replacing the display alone now requires removing the battery along with it.
The Ultra 4 made zero progress. Getting to the battery means heating and prying off the glued display, and the four screws on the back only grant access to the sensors — not the battery or main components. The procedure may also compromise the watch’s waterproofing.
Beyond the screws and glue, iFixit flags a bigger issue: Apple still doesn’t offer the tools, spare parts and repair manuals for its watches that it provides for iPhones, iPads and Macs, leaving authorized service centers as the only realistic option. The report suggests this could clash with Right to Repair laws in states including California, New York and Oregon — with the battery, the most commonly replaced part, sitting squarely behind the fragile display.