The iPhone 18 Pro Max's Repairability Problem…
The iPhone 18 Pro Max has improved its EU battery endurance rating, but there's something interesting about its repairability. Despite the internal redesign, it still receives the same C grade as the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
So, what actually improved?
What the EU Ratings Reveal
The European iPhone 18 Pro Max is rated for 62 hours of battery endurance, up from 53 hours on the 17 Pro Max. That's a nine-hour improvement under standardized testing.
Here's how the two compare:
| Category | 17 Pro Max | 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Energy efficiency | A | A |
| Battery endurance | 53 hours | 62 hours |
| Drop resistance | B | B |
| Repairability | C | C |
| Battery cycles | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
The newer model also has a slightly higher underlying repairability index, increasing from 3.04 to 3.14 out of five, although its letter grade remains unchanged.
But Is It Actually Easier to Repair?
During our iPhone 18 Pro Max teardown, I had to remove 14 screws just to lift the vapor chamber and battery assembly. That's one fewer than the previous generation, but it's still a lot of work.
The charging port is still a headache to remove. Although the microphone has its own connector, just like on the 17 Pro Max, accessing the port itself still involves plenty of screws.
Final Thoughts
The EU ratings show that Apple has made progress, particularly with battery endurance. But when it comes to repairs, the experience hasn't changed dramatically. There are some thoughtful improvements inside, yet getting to certain components remains unnecessarily complicated.
Hopefully, future generations will make those repairs easier, not just earn a slightly higher score.
See you in the next article!
