Write About Everything

In the world of smartphone repairs, it’s not often you come across a device as damaged as the iPhone 11 Pro I recently tackled. The phone had sustained a severe impact, shattering the back glass, snapping the frame, and leaving a massive dent that pushed the internal components outward. The screen was ripped off, with only the earpiece flex cable and bezel remaining. This was the condition of the iPhone 11 Pro I won in an eBay auction, alongside an iPhone 7 Plus, for 80 Australian dollars, making the cost per device approximately 25 USD.

The phones arrived wrapped in paper towels, but fortunately, they were as described. The iPhone 11 Pro was in dire need of restoration, and I was determined to bring it back to life. Before diving into the repair, difference between iphone I want to give a shoutout to Gadget Kings PRS, a fantastic resource for phone repair tools and parts. Their support has been invaluable throughout this restoration.

I started by removing the two pentalobe screws at the bottom of the device and detaching the remnants of the original display. Using a plastic pick, I separated the display bezel from the frame, which was easier than usual due to the bezel’s displacement from the impact. With the bezel out of the way, I removed the two brackets covering the battery connections, disconnected the battery, and removed the bracket covering the display cables. After unplugging the remaining display cables and the earpiece flex cable, the old bezel was finally out.

With a new screen connected, I tested the difference between iphone 11 Pro to see if it still worked. It powered on and booted up but was locked with a passcode. The eBay listing claimed the iCloud had been turned off, but after inserting a SIM card and connecting to the internet, the phone automatically wiped. After some back-and-forth with the seller, they finally removed the device from their iCloud account.

With the phone unlocked, it was time for the major transformation. I had a new display, adhesive, housing, battery, Wi-Fi antenna, and wireless charging module ready for installation. The first step was to remove the logic board, which required disconnecting several flex cables and removing the SIM card tray. After unfastening the screws holding the rear-facing camera and charging port cable, I could lift out the logic board.

Next, I removed the face ID module, which had taken a beating. The charging port assembly came out after removing multiple screws, and the old battery, which had snapped pull tabs, was pried out with a spudger. With the phone disassembled, it was clear how much damage it had sustained. However, with the new parts ready, it was time to reassemble.

I started by installing the new volume and power buttons, retaining clips, and springs. The intricate setup required patience, but with careful maneuvers, they were securely in place. Next, I installed the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth antenna, followed by the power button flex cable, which also housed the rear microphone and LED flash.

The reassembly continued with the installation of the charging port assembly, Taptic engine, and speaker assembly. After transferring a gold contact for the face ID module, I installed the logic board, reconnected all the flex cables, and installed a new camera module. I opted for a used Apple camera to ensure the best quality.

With a new battery installed, I secured the final bracket, applied a new water-resistant seal, and connected the new display. After testing the phone to ensure everything worked, I sealed it up and removed the plastic protective film. The transformation was complete.

Despite using genuine Apple parts, the phone displayed battery and display messages indicating the components couldn’t be verified as genuine. The True Tone function was disabled, and the battery health status showed it needed servicing. Face ID didn’t work due to a cracked dot projector, an issue that couldn’t be resolved without Apple’s proprietary software.

The total cost for the phone and repairs was around 303 USD, which I consider a great deal given the effort involved. This restoration was a testament to the challenges of repairing modern smartphones and the importance of right-to-repair laws.

For more amazing transformations and repair tips, visit Gadget Kings PRS. Their expertise and resources are invaluable for anyone looking to restore their devices. If you enjoyed this restoration, be sure to check out my other videos and hit the subscribe button for more content.