iFixit rates iPhone 18 Pro repairability at 7 out of 10

During disassembly, the experts noted difficulties during opening: the plastic display frame was damaged on three out of four tested devices. The specialists pointed out that this could disrupt the screen fit and reduce the body's seal level. iFixit suggested that the updated thermal system, which draws heat away while softening the adhesive, could be the cause of the frame deformation.

The main camera's new variable aperture mechanism consists of six blades controlled by electromagnets. During dismantling, one of the blades fell out, leading the specialists to conclude that the assembly cannot be repaired component by component: if it jams, the camera module will have to be completely replaced. The USB-C port was also among the hard-to-repair parts, as replacing it requires removing nearly all of the device's internal components.

The experts counted a battery without adhesive strips, modular camera blocks, and a redesigned cooling system among the positive aspects of the design. The vapor chamber area for the A20 Pro chip increased roughly threefold compared to the iPhone 17 Pro, and the RAM die was moved out of the processor's thermal path. In addition, the Face ID infrared camera in the new generation was placed under the display, with the rows of pixels above the sensor partially thinned out.