The Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 received a score of 4 out of 10 in iFixit's repairability assessment after the two watches were disassembled. The result represents a limited improvement for the base model compared with the latest base model evaluated by iFixit, but it leaves both watches far from designs that are easy to service.
Limited improvement in the Series 12
The Apple Watch Series 12 requires the display to be removed to access the battery, while replacing the display requires removing the battery first. However, Apple added a pull tab that helps remove the adhesive securing the battery and eliminated the ZIF connector that had made repair operations more complicated. iFixit described these changes as a “modest” improvement in repairability and gave the 46 mm Series 12 version a battery capacity of 1.461 watt-hours, compared with 1.403 watt-hours in the Series 11.
Ultra 4 retains the same score
iFixit found no changes in the repairability of the Apple Watch Ultra 4. The watch uses a large amount of adhesive between the case and display to help maintain water resistance, and the battery can only be accessed through the display. The teardown warns that the display cable can be easily cut while attempting to open the device.
The Ultra 4 received a score of 4 out of 10, the same score iFixit gave to all previous Apple Watch Ultra models. Its battery capacity is 2.444 watt-hours, up from 2.313 watt-hours in the Ultra 3.
What does this mean for users?
The improvement in the Series 12 is concentrated in internal details that make it easier to remove the battery and simplify its connections, but it does not eliminate reliance on the display as the primary entry point to the components. In practice, this means that major repairs remain delicate, and opening the watch could damage the display or affect the tightness of its water seal.
iFixit compares this result with the Google Pixel Watch 5, which received 9 out of 10; its display and battery can be accessed by removing a few screws and a gasket, without dealing with adhesive. The comparison shows that water resistance and ease of repair involve design trade-offs, but by itself it does not establish that the after-sales experience is identical between the two platforms.
Potential dispute over right-to-repair laws
iFixit says Apple is “noncompliant” with right-to-repair laws in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, Minnesota, Texas, New York, Maryland, and Connecticut, arguing that the company does not sell Apple Watch repair parts or service tools and does not provide repair manuals. iFixit says it is preparing manuals to help the attorneys general in those states assess Apple's level of compliance.
certi.news reading: The report does not point to a radical change in Apple's Apple Watch design philosophy, but rather to a limited improvement in the Series 12 while the same fundamental restrictions remain. As for the legal claim, it remains iFixit's position and requires assessment by the relevant authorities, so it cannot be considered a final ruling on Apple's compliance.