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Apple’s iPhone Air, its thinnest smartphone yet at just 5.6mm, has gone under the knife in iFixit’s latest teardown. The analysis reveals how Apple pulled off this radical redesign while still keeping the device relatively serviceable—something rare for ultra-slim phones.

Camera Plateau and Logic Board Integration

To make the slim profile possible, Apple reworked the internals:

- The company introduced a camera “plateau”, where part of the logic board is integrated into the camera bump.

- This freed up internal space for a metal-encased 12.26Wh battery, while also shielding the logic board from bending stresses.

- Interestingly, this is the same battery found in Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack, confirming earlier speculation from iFixit. The pack’s battery can even be swapped directly into the iPhone Air.

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Titanium Frame and Durability

The teardown highlights how Apple combined titanium framing with clever internal spacing to prevent fragility in the super-thin body. Despite being slimmer than any previous iPhone, the device is sturdier than its dimensions suggest.

Easier Repairs Than Expected

For such a radical design, the iPhone Air is surprisingly repair-friendly:

- Both the display and back glass are clipped into place without adhesive, making them easier to remove.

- The battery uses a controlled adhesive that can be safely loosened using a low-voltage electrical current—a technique first introduced in the iPhone 16 lineup.

- The simplified internal layout avoids stacked or hard-to-reach components, which has often been a challenge in iPhone repairs.

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Balancing Form and Function

The iFixit teardown shows that Apple has struck a rare balance: a sleek, ultra-thin design that doesn’t sacrifice serviceability. By making the iPhone Air easier to repair than expected, Apple could be signaling a shift toward a more user- and repair-friendly approach in its future devices.

Conclusion

The iPhone Air’s teardown proves that Apple’s slimmest iPhone ever isn’t just about looks. With its smart camera plateau design, titanium durability, and surprisingly repairable structure, it sets a new benchmark for combining form, function, and fixability.