My first phone repair by myself turned me into a believer in self-repair.
The art of maintaining a smartphone.
I began my first smartphone repair project with a rather unpromising tone. I managed to remove the back of the HMD Skyline, but the next instruction required a T3 screwdriver bit. I only had a T4, which was useful for loosening the screw that lifted a corner of the phone's back panel. However, the T4 was too large for the tiny screws securing the battery connector cover. Clearly, I needed the T3.
The Skyline is one of HMD’s latest phones designed for users to repair themselves. It’s a mid-range model, among the first Android phones compatible with Qi2 wireless charging, featuring a 6.55-inch OLED panel, three rear cameras, and a large 4,600 mAh battery, all for $449. In my brief experience, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 feels a bit sluggish, and the 1080p screen resolution is not sufficient for that panel size. Notably, the Skyline continues its collaboration with iFixit, where spare parts can be purchased, and detailed repair instructions are provided.
I received the review unit from HMD along with a basic iFixit tool kit, which included some good starter tools, but not the T3 bit I needed. Interestingly, I discovered that a "smartphone repair kit" can be purchased at hardware stores. I chose to buy a kit as a sort of insurance, as I had been in touch with iFixit for replacement parts and was unsure whether a T3 would arrive with my shipment. In the end, it did arrive, along with additional tools, a replacement battery, a new back cover, and a few iFixit stickers.
Despite spending a lot of time using phones, I rarely look inside them, partly out of respect for the devices I borrow, as dismantling a $1,000 gadget is frowned upon. Additionally, I confess that I am not very skilled and am afraid of making mistakes, traits I am gradually overcoming. Although I felt a little nervous removing the HMD Skyline's battery, I ultimately managed to do it, even though the disposable tab I pulled broke. With patience and the right tools, I followed the instructions and successfully detached the battery from the adhesive.
I successfully followed the steps to remove the back cover, disconnect the battery, and take it out completely. All I had left was to peel off some adhesive patches. I used a spudger and tweezers to remove most of it, but the sticky residue still needed to be eliminated. Carefully, I applied a bit of isopropyl alcohol and cleaned it with a microfiber cloth. This part of the job, although tedious, was very rewarding.
Weeks earlier, I had to do a similar task at home, fixing a small water leak. After several failed attempts by a contractor, I decided to tackle the problem myself. I followed the hardware store’s advice and managed to seal the crack, a task I considered a significant personal triumph.
Returning to the Skyline, I installed the new battery, placed the back cover on, and resealed everything. Despite the force required to fit the cover, I managed to do it. The phone powered on without any issues and started charging, following iFixit’s recommendations. The process of replacing the battery and the cover took me a couple of hours, including the time I spent looking for the isopropyl alcohol. Upon reviewing other phone repair guides, I noticed that the simplicity of this process was no coincidence: while changing the battery of a Google Pixel 8 involves 42 steps, the Skyline accomplishes it in just 21.
It’s worth mentioning that while the Pixel 8 has an IP68 rating, which makes it more resistant to water and dust, the Skyline has an IP54 rating, which is acceptable given its ease of repair. However, it is true that the Skyline does not feel as well-built as other less-repairable models.
The experience of opening the Skyline has reinforced my support for repairable phones. California’s new repair rights law has surely pushed manufacturers to make their parts and documentation available to more consumers. However, companies that comply with the law do not always fully embrace its principles. Perhaps they should trust their customers more. After fixing a leak and replacing a battery, my confidence in my self-repair skills has never been higher.
