Technology · Consumer gadgets · published 2026-10-07 · via MacRumors

iFixit gives Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 low repairability marks

iFixit tore down the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 and rated both 4 out of 10 for repairability. The Ultra 4 remains difficult to open because of heavy adhesive and screen-first battery access, while the Series 12 adds a battery pull tab and drops a ZIF connector for a modest improvement. iFixit also argued that Apple is not complying with Right to Repair laws in several states because it does not sell watch repair parts, tools, or manuals.

Expanded Detail

iFixit’s latest teardown examined the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. The Ultra 4 kept the same repair-hostile design as earlier Ultra models: strong adhesive seals the case to the screen, and reaching the battery requires opening through the display, risking damage to a display cable. The Series 12 remains hard to open, but a battery adhesive pull tab and removal of a troublesome ZIF connector made repairs somewhat simpler. Its 46mm cell is rated 1.461Wh, while the Ultra 4’s is 2.444Wh.

iFixit contrasted Apple’s watches with Google’s Pixel Watch 5, which scored 9/10 because its screen and battery come out after removing screws and a gasket, without adhesive. iFixit also said Apple does not sell watch repair parts, tools, or manuals, and it is gathering evidence for attorneys general in ten states with Right to Repair laws.

Count words. First para: iFixit’s(1) latest2 teardown3 examined4 the5 Apple6 Watch7 Series8 12(9?) and10 Apple11 Watch12 Ultra13 4(14). The15 Ultra16 4(17) kept18 the19 same20 repair-hostile21 design22 as23 earlier24 Ultra25 models26: strong27 adhesive28 seals29 the30 case31 to32 the33 screen34, and35 reaching36 the37 battery38 requires39 opening40 through41 the42 display43, risking44 damage45 to46 a47 display48 cable49. The50 Series51 12(52) remains53 hard54 to55 open56, but57 a58 battery59 adhesive60 pull61 tab62 and63 removal64 of65 a66 troublesome67 ZIF68 connector69 made70 repairs71 somewhat72 simpler73. Its74 46mm75 cell76 is77 rated

Context

Consumers who keep watches for years and independent repair shops may feel the biggest effects. If Apple Watch repairs remain difficult and parts scarce, owners could face higher costs or replacement instead of repair, potentially adding to electronic waste. The dispute over state Right to Repair compliance may also shape how manufacturers design wearables and

Expanded detail and Context are AI-generated analysis; the linked article remains the authoritative source.

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This summary is Al-enhanced to contain extended analysis and broader social context. The original is {NAME); the linked article is the authoritative source. Original headline: “Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 Score 4/10 for Repairability.” Browse more stories.